Climate Change and the European Water Dimension - Agri ...

Climate Change
and the
European Water Dimension
Chapter VI.B. Climate Change and the
Venice Lagoon
Key Points
• The Venice lagoon is the largest coastal wetland in the
Mediterranean with a distinctive tidal regime, ecology, and
cultural heritage. The uniqueness of Venice lies in the mix
of issues.
• Throughout Venice’s long history the activities of man have
regulated its environment and adapted to changing
conditions – it is one of the longest surviving examples of
“sustainable development”. Long data series exist and it is
possible to measure effects of climate change.
• Conditions in Venice, and the lagoon, are a function of its
exchanges with the Adriatic Sea, pollution sources, ecology
and morphology within the lagoon, the influence from the
drainage basin, and physical changes that affect
hydrodynamics.
• Sea level and the associated frequency of flooding are
increasing, most markedly since the mid 20 th century. This
results mostly from human-induced subsidence and
physical changes to the lagoon that reduces its resistance
to incoming tides and strengthened currents.
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