Wetlands Conservation

An up-to-date overview of approaches for addressing wetlands degradation and its effects on ecosystem services, human health, and other ecosystems

Wetlands are essential sources of biodiversity, water purification, groundwater replenishment, flood control, storm protection, sediment retention, recreation and tourism, and more. Human exploitation of natural resources over the past 200 years has caused significant wetlands degradation and loss. Although the Ramsar Convention of 1971 drafted policies for wetland conservation and responsible use, many wetland sites remain inadequately conserved or managed. Maintaining the ecological balance and equilibrium of wetlands requires a clear understanding of the vital role of wetlands, the difficulties they face, and the policies enacted for their protection.

Wetlands Conservation: Current Challenges and Future Strategies summarizes both current and emerging management strategies, trends, and policies regarding wetlands protection around the world. The authors provide accurate scientific information on wetlands while discussing the effects of climate change, global warming, modernization in agriculture, and other key topics. Designed to assist in the development of future solutions for wetlands conservation and management strategies, this important volume:
- Highlights the environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural importance of wetlands
- Identifies the factors responsible for the failure of many conservation initiatives
- Describes the natural and anthropogenic factors of wetlands degradation
- Discusses the role of community-based wetlands conservation and management
- Explores Ramsar wetlands conservation and its impacts worldwide

Wetlands Conservation: Current Challenges and Future Strategies is an invaluable resource for graduate and postgraduate students, researchers, ecologists, policymakers, conservation organizations, and others working in the field of natural resources management.

Preface   xiii         
List of Contributors   xvii

1. Global Wetlands: Categorization, Distribution and Global Scenario   1
2. Ramsar Convention: History, Structure, Operations, and Relevance   17
3. Ecological Importance of Wetland Systems   40
4. Ecological and Societal Importance of Wetlands: A Case Study of North Bihar (India)   55
5. Recognizing Economic Values of Wetland Ecosystem Services: A Study of Emerging Role of Monetary Evaluation of Chandubi Ecosystem and Biodiversity   87
6. Ecosystem Services of Lagoon Wetlands System in India   111
7. Sustainable Practices for Conservation of Wetland Ecosystem   129
8. Assessing the Benefits, Threats and Conservation of Reservoir-Based Wetlands in the Eastern Himalayan River Basin   140
9. Spatiotemporal Evaluation of Causes and Consequences of Wetland Degradation   162
10. The Status of Current Knowledge, Distribution, and Conservation Challenges of Wetland Ecosystems in Kashmir Himalaya, India   175
11. Heavy Metal Pollution in Coastal Environment and Its Remediation Using Mangroves: An Eco-sustainable Approach   201
12. Mangrove Forests: Distribution, Species Diversity, Roles, Threats and Conservation Strategies   229
13. Wetland Conservation and Restoration   272

Acknowledgements 281
References   281
Index   285