Wetland management goals: wise use and conservation: Fid-Bau Portal

Wetland management goals: wise use and conservation

Maltby, E.

AbstractWetlands are among the world's most important, but most threatened, environmental resources. The need for their wise use and conservation stems from the recognition of the high value goods and services which these ecosystems provide to society.Historically, the pattern has been one of progressive wetland loss, especially in the developed world where a wide range of other land uses compete for wetland area. The largest threats today, however, are in the developing world where uncoupling of the traditional linkages between human communities and ecosystem functioning are likely to result in irretrievable losses.The case for wetland conservation is made in terms of maintenance of ecosystem functionings which result in a wide range of values including groundwater recharge and discharge, floodflow alteration, sediment stabilization, water quality, food chain support, wildlife habitat, fisheries and heritage. The real importance of these are demonstrated by the ecological and environmental costs which arise when wetland ecosystems are disrupted or lost. Development of comprehensive functional analysis procedures are essential in unlocking present planning and decision-making conflicts.The concept of wise use is examined in the context of the Ramsar Convention. Requirements for implementation are outlined and the role of local people examined in regard to both stimulation and constraints on its application.If successful sustainable utilization of wetlands is to be achieved, the time for affirmative action could never have been better. Priority actions are identified and examples are given of current initiatives in Greece, Brazil and by the European Commission.