Wetland ecosystem services

Dolf de Groot, Luke Brander, C. Max Finlayson

Research output: Chapter in Book / Report / Conference proceedingEntry for encyclopedia/dictionaryAcademic

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Abstract

Wetlands provide important and diverse benefits to people around the world, contributing provisioning, regulating, habitat, and cultural services. Critical regulating services include water-quality improvement, flood abatement and carbon management, while key habitat services are provided by wetland biodiversity. However, about half of global wetland areas have been lost, and the condition of remaining wetlands is declining. In New Zealand more than 90% of wetland area has been removed in the last 150 years, a loss rate among the highest in the world. New Zealand Maori greatly valued wetlands for their spiritual and cultural significance and as important sources of food and other materials closely linked to their identity. The remaining wetlands in New Zealand are under pressure from drainage, nutrient enrichment, invasive plants and animals, and encroachment from urban and agricultural development. In many countries, the degradation of wetlands and associated impairment of ecosystem services can lead to significant loss of human well-being and biodiversity, and negative long-term impacts on economies, communities, and business. Protection and restoration of wetlands are essential for future sustainability of the planet, providing safety nets for emerging issues such as global climate change, food production for an increasing world population, disturbance regulation, clean water, and the overall well-being of society.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Wetland Book
Subtitle of host publicationI: Structure and Function, Management, and Methods
EditorsC. Max Finlayson, Mark Everard, Kenneth Irvine, Robert J. McInnes, Beth A. Middleton, Anne A. van Dam, Nick C. Davidson
PublisherSpringer Netherlands
Chapter37
Pages323-333
Number of pages11
Volume1
ISBN (Electronic)9789048196593
ISBN (Print)9789048134939
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Coastal wetlands
  • Concept
  • Description and examples
  • Economic valuation
  • Inland wetlands
  • Millennium ecosystem assessment
  • The economics of ecosystems and biodiversity
  • Wetland ecosystem services

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