This volume explores major wetland ecosystem services, such as climate cooling and water quality improvement, and discusses the recent wetland conservation and restoration activities in China and neighboring countries. The role of wetlands in either cooling or warming the climate is analyzed as the net balance between carbon sequestration and emissions of methane and nitrous oxide. Wetlands start off having a net warming effect on the climate but in time switch to net cooling. Further, they remove 40% of the N and P from run-off and groundwater flow in agricultural areas, but wetlands need to amount to 10% of the total catchment area to make a difference. Reflecting on the recent large investment in wetland ecological studies in China and neighboring countries, the book addresses invasive species in coastal wetlands as well as the protection and wise use of tidal flats around the Yellow Sea. It also presents promising regional case studies on wetland restoration. The book is intended for academics, students and practitioners in the field of wetland ecology, management and restoration, as well as consultants and professionals working in conservation, wise use and environmental policy.

​The risks and consequences of environmental change are increasing, leading to massive losses in terms of ecosystems and having a huge impact on human populations. As such, global thinkers, environmentalists, scientists and policy makers are focusing on finding solutions and ways to sustain life on Earth. Anthropogenic impacts on the climate system can only be mitigated by the restoration of existing natural resources and the sustainable development of the environment and society. This book discusses the potential of green technology in waste management, wetland restoration, presenting the latest developments in the field of bioenergy, green ecology, bioremediation and microbial management. Wetlands are one of Earth’s most important ecosystems, and they provide valuable services to human societies, such as minimizing the impacts of floods, acting as a carbon sink, and offering water purification as well as recreational opportunities. Wetlands may be natural or constructed, and the effectiveness of wetland services largely depends on the diversity of macrophytes affecting the algal production, plant biomass and nutrient status of the system. In addition, they are one of the richest microbial ecosystems on earth: the rhizosphere, soil and water interface enhances wetland services with implications ranging from phytoremediation to microbial bioprospection. However, in order to function properly, they need to be effectively redesigned, reengineered, protected and maintained. The book addresses the dynamic relation between three global concerns: environmental pollution, resource exploitation and sustainability. It describes the utilization of resources like wastes (municipal, industrial, agricultural, mine drainage, tannery, solid, and e waste), plants, algae and microbes for production of renewable biofuel, biofertilizers and other value added products to achieve the goal of sustainable development. The book also discusses the current and future trends in employing wetlands in improving water quality. In addition it presents the latest international research in the fields of wetland science, waste management, carbon sequestration and bioremediation. Highlighting a broad spectrum of topics and strategies for achieving a sustainable environment, the book offers researchers, students and academics insights into utilizing resources in a sustainable way.

This book gives a broad and well-integrated overview of recent major scientific results in wetland science and their applications in natural resource management. After an introduction into the field, 12 chapters contributed by internationally known experts summarize the state of the art on a multitude of topics. The coverage is divided into three sections: Functioning of Plants and Animals in Wetlands; Conservation and Management of Wetlands; and Wetland Restoration and Creation.

This book provides a broad and well-integrated overview of recent major scientific results in wetland science and their applications in natural resource management issues. The contributors, internationally known experts, summarize the state of the art on an array of topics, divided into four broad areas: The Role of Wetlands for Integrated Water Resources Management: Putting Theory into Practice; Wetland Science for Environmental Management; Wetland Biogeochemistry; Wetlands and Climate Change Worldwide.

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 polices 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.

The book addresses the interactions between wetlands and human health and well-being. A key feature is the linking of ecology-health and the targeting of practitioners and researchers. The environmental health problems of the 21st Century cannot be addressed by the traditional tools of ecologists or epidemiologists working in their respective disciplinary silos; this is clear from the emergence and re-emergence of public health and human well-being problems such as cholera pandemics, mosquito borne disease, and episodic events and disasters (e.g. hurricanes). To tackle these problems requires genuine cross-disciplinary collaboration; a key finding of the recently concluded Millennium Ecosystem Assessment when looking at human well-being and ecosystem health. This book brings the disciplines of ecology and health sciences closer to such a synthesis for researchers, teachers and policy makers interested in or needing information to manage wetlands and human health and well-being issues.