Water Science & Technology Vol 51 No 8 pp 13–26 © IWA Publishing 2005
Applying science to conservation and restoration of the world's wetlands
W.J. Mitsch
Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, The Ohio State University, 352 W. Dodridge Street, Columbus, Ohio 43202 USA, (E-mail: mitsch@osu.edu)
ABSTRACT
The world has an estimated 7 to 9 million km2 of wetlands which can be defined through their hydrology, physiochemical environment, and biota. Many human cultures have lived in harmony with wetland environments for centuries. Many others have not, resulting in drainage or severe impact of wetlands throughout the world. Conservation of wetlands needs to be a priority for the cultural and ecological values they provide. But a more optimistic note is that large-scale restoration and re-creation of wetlands and riverine systems is beginning to happen throughout the world through ecological engineering. Examples of large-scale wetland restoration projects are presented for Delaware Bay, the Skjern River (Denmark), Florida Everglades, Louisiana Delta, the Mississippi River Basin, and the Mesopotamian Marshlands of Iraq. Keywords Ecological engineering; ecosystem restoration; wetland conservation; wetlands
Full article (PDF Format)
PAY-PER-VIEW: Buy this article for £20.00 (IWA MEMBER PRICE: £15.00)
|
