6.3 Simplistic Extrapolation of Wetland Functioning
The hydrological functions of wetlands are often communicated in generic terms
based on simplistic extrapolation of site and wetlands-specific evidence into more
generalized statements which give an impression that all wetlands perform similar
hydrological functions in all landscape settings (this issue has been aptly highlighted in McCartney and Finlayson 2017). The ability of wetlands to moderate
flow regimes is closely linked with soil condition, in particular, the extent of
saturation and relative location within a landscape (Bullock and Acreman 2003).
Wetlands located in highly saturated headwaters may become a source of floods,
rather than acting as a sponge, as is widely believed (Acreman and Holden 2013).
In similar lines, there are nonlinearities in storm surge buffering capacity of mangroves, and extreme events with very high water levels and wind speed may
actually end up damaging and even destroying mangroves, thus rendering their
coastal protection value less effective (Narayan et al. 2016). Knowledge of how
wetlands function within a landscape and deliver their hydrological buffering services is crucial for managers and policy planners to pursue integrated approaches
(Thorslund et al. 2017).
6.4 Wetlands as ‘Water Users’
Evapotranspiration usually forms a significant component of water budget of
wetlands, and from the water resource perspective, it is often considered as a ‘water
loss’. The subcommittee on surface water management in its report for formulation
of National Water Mission places water use in wetlands to be amongst the highest
amongst all options, compared with irrigated agriculture (GoI 2008). Such a fragmented view of water misses the point that water flowing through wetlands provides the wide-ranging ecosystem services such as food production and climate
regulation, and thereby the disjunct between run-off and evapotranspiration is
actually about the role of water in meeting human needs through built infrastructure
and natural infrastructure. It is the complementarity and coupled nature of water
whether it is available as a run-off, or moves through ecosystems in an evaporated
form that enables delivery of different functions of the water system.
6.5 Capacity Gaps
Cooperation between water and wetland management sectors is often limited due to
inability to describe, quantify and communicate interests, objectives and operational
requirements. Wetland managers need a sufficient understanding of the technical
and operational aspects of water resources management to understand the methods
Wetlands and Water Management: Finding a Common Ground
121
The hydrological functions of wetlands are often communicated in generic terms
based on simplistic extrapolation of site and wetlands-specific evidence into more
generalized statements which give an impression that all wetlands perform similar
hydrological functions in all landscape settings (this issue has been aptly highlighted in McCartney and Finlayson 2017). The ability of wetlands to moderate
flow regimes is closely linked with soil condition, in particular, the extent of
saturation and relative location within a landscape (Bullock and Acreman 2003).
Wetlands located in highly saturated headwaters may become a source of floods,
rather than acting as a sponge, as is widely believed (Acreman and Holden 2013).
In similar lines, there are nonlinearities in storm surge buffering capacity of mangroves, and extreme events with very high water levels and wind speed may
actually end up damaging and even destroying mangroves, thus rendering their
coastal protection value less effective (Narayan et al. 2016). Knowledge of how
wetlands function within a landscape and deliver their hydrological buffering services is crucial for managers and policy planners to pursue integrated approaches
(Thorslund et al. 2017).
6.4 Wetlands as ‘Water Users’
Evapotranspiration usually forms a significant component of water budget of
wetlands, and from the water resource perspective, it is often considered as a ‘water
loss’. The subcommittee on surface water management in its report for formulation
of National Water Mission places water use in wetlands to be amongst the highest
amongst all options, compared with irrigated agriculture (GoI 2008). Such a fragmented view of water misses the point that water flowing through wetlands provides the wide-ranging ecosystem services such as food production and climate
regulation, and thereby the disjunct between run-off and evapotranspiration is
actually about the role of water in meeting human needs through built infrastructure
and natural infrastructure. It is the complementarity and coupled nature of water
whether it is available as a run-off, or moves through ecosystems in an evaporated
form that enables delivery of different functions of the water system.
6.5 Capacity Gaps
Cooperation between water and wetland management sectors is often limited due to
inability to describe, quantify and communicate interests, objectives and operational
requirements. Wetland managers need a sufficient understanding of the technical
and operational aspects of water resources management to understand the methods
Wetlands and Water Management: Finding a Common Ground
121