Hundreds of fragile island wetlands in the Mediterranean have been recognised for their biodiversity and human values and the need for protection. A decade of work by WWF in Greece which recorded over 800 wetlands on 75 islands has been taken up by the Ramsar conference in June that agreed a resolution identifying the  Mediterranean as a biodiversity hotspot, with many large island groups, rich history and cultural values. The  resolution calls for action to prevent the destruction of island wetlands and maintain their multiple values. In  Greece, a presidential decree had earlier granted legal protection to 380 natural wetlands on 59 islands. WWF  notes that while the resolution needs now to be implemented, this is a major victory for conservation of Mediterranean islands.