V. Metreveli – författare

The countries of the Black Sea region are beset by a great number of problems: there are many large cities along the coast; intensive agriculture is practised in the region; great rivers such as the Danube and the Dnieper carry pollution from a large part of Europe; and the lowlands are threatened by flooding from the rivers, wind-induced surges, and future sea-level rise due to global warming. Any integrated, sustainable development of the region will require an interdisciplinary approach, which the present book reflects. Contributions range from the monitoring of biological diversity through the influence of tourism on marine and coastal ecosystems to environmental economics. The problem also has an international dimension: only by interdisciplinary, international co-operation can the environment of the Black Sea region be conserved for future generations.

This volume is a collection of reports presented at the International NATO Advanced Research Workshop Conservation of the Biological Diversity as a Prerequisite for Sustainaible Development of the Black Sea Region. The seminar was held at Batumi - Kobuleti, Georgia, on the Black Sea during October 5 -12, 1996 with participants from the countries of the Black Sea Region -Georgia, Russia, the Ukraine, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, as well as Germany, Italy and the United States of America. The Black Sea Region is an essential and unique part of southern Europe because of its geographical, cultural and historical features. It is the cradle of European civilisation, together with Greece and Rome. For centuries it neighboured onto and interacted with the cultures of the northern and southern Mediterranean, the Christian and Moslim worlds, and was the route of conquerors and migrations of whole nations. Here are closely interwoven the cultures and customs of nations, economic and trade relations, the history of wars and civilised relations of neighbouring countries.