only take 1% (c. 3% of the terrestrial area). Thus, the water cycle including
evapotranspiration and precipitation does not depend much on the existence of
wetlands and the kind of use and damage by humans.
Nevertheless, because life including humans depends not only on rainfall and
because of various economic reasons wetland habitats are also important for
humans. Furthermore, in combination with other habitat types such as forest or
grassland wetlands and coastal regions are extremely important for the scenery and
beauty of the landscape, for tourism and recreation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz
1997).
Wetlands are very important as habitats for biodiversity. Many bird species,
almost 40% of all fish species and the majority of amphibians live in wetlands or
depend on wetlands. Furthermore, many other taxonomic groups, for example
reptile, mammal, mollusk and insect families evolved in or in connection with
mires and freshwater habitats (Groombridge and Jenkins 2002).
According to the IUCN Red List (2019) forests harbour the largest amount of
critically endangered species (c. 2900) and wetland habitats represent the second
largest number (>1500) even if the area covered by wetlands—depending on
definitions and habitat types included—is eight to ten times smaller than the area
covered by forest.
These numbers underline the meaning of both forest and wetland habitats for the
biodiversity on Earth and the meaning of successful conservation programmes and
activities in the future.
The term wetlands in general comprises mires, bogs, fens, swamps, and freshwater ecosystems such as rivers and lakes including subterranean freshwater
systems.
Freshwater ecosystems are lakes and ponds (lentic ecosystems, still waters) and
running waters (lotic ecosystems, flowing waters).
With this contribution we review the meaning of wetland habitats for the biodiversity, focus on threatened biota and habitat types, and highlight the meaning of
prospective activities to reduce the pressure on relating habitats at large spatial scales
and in a long-term perspective.
2 Water Laws and Regulations on Wetlands
Dellapenna and Gupta (2013) presented an overview of laws related to the use of
water through 4000 years. They pronounce the global meaning of water laws from
the ancient world until today. In the case of large rivers, potential conflicts and
national sovereignty are related to supranational or bilateral regulations. Such laws
in return have implications on the local control and management of the quantity and
quality of the water flow.
Since the establishment of the Ramsar convention, signed in 1971 in the Iranian
city of Ramsar and initiated by the United Nations and meanwhile ratified by
170 states, the immense value of wetlands for the existence of diverse species is
Wetlands: Challenges and Possibilities
313
evapotranspiration and precipitation does not depend much on the existence of
wetlands and the kind of use and damage by humans.
Nevertheless, because life including humans depends not only on rainfall and
because of various economic reasons wetland habitats are also important for
humans. Furthermore, in combination with other habitat types such as forest or
grassland wetlands and coastal regions are extremely important for the scenery and
beauty of the landscape, for tourism and recreation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz
1997).
Wetlands are very important as habitats for biodiversity. Many bird species,
almost 40% of all fish species and the majority of amphibians live in wetlands or
depend on wetlands. Furthermore, many other taxonomic groups, for example
reptile, mammal, mollusk and insect families evolved in or in connection with
mires and freshwater habitats (Groombridge and Jenkins 2002).
According to the IUCN Red List (2019) forests harbour the largest amount of
critically endangered species (c. 2900) and wetland habitats represent the second
largest number (>1500) even if the area covered by wetlands—depending on
definitions and habitat types included—is eight to ten times smaller than the area
covered by forest.
These numbers underline the meaning of both forest and wetland habitats for the
biodiversity on Earth and the meaning of successful conservation programmes and
activities in the future.
The term wetlands in general comprises mires, bogs, fens, swamps, and freshwater ecosystems such as rivers and lakes including subterranean freshwater
systems.
Freshwater ecosystems are lakes and ponds (lentic ecosystems, still waters) and
running waters (lotic ecosystems, flowing waters).
With this contribution we review the meaning of wetland habitats for the biodiversity, focus on threatened biota and habitat types, and highlight the meaning of
prospective activities to reduce the pressure on relating habitats at large spatial scales
and in a long-term perspective.
2 Water Laws and Regulations on Wetlands
Dellapenna and Gupta (2013) presented an overview of laws related to the use of
water through 4000 years. They pronounce the global meaning of water laws from
the ancient world until today. In the case of large rivers, potential conflicts and
national sovereignty are related to supranational or bilateral regulations. Such laws
in return have implications on the local control and management of the quantity and
quality of the water flow.
Since the establishment of the Ramsar convention, signed in 1971 in the Iranian
city of Ramsar and initiated by the United Nations and meanwhile ratified by
170 states, the immense value of wetlands for the existence of diverse species is
Wetlands: Challenges and Possibilities
313