and in the neighborhood of the African mire an establishment of new houses should
not be allowed. They will reduce the water influx to the basin, in which the mire lies,
and extract groundwater. Another danger are fires in the neighborhood, which are
common in South Africa, but may not take over to dry peat.
Examples with positive effects for the hydrologic conditions have been examined
worldwide. An interesting example from a rather arid area is described from the
Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia, Iraque, by Maltby and Acreman (2011).
Marshes of 25,000 km
2 were destroyed up to 2000 by 90%, increasing to 93% in
2003, mainly by using the water upstream for electric power and irrigation. Sandstorms, a loss of endangered species, and a loss of a specified agriculture was
recorded. After rewetting, till 2005 already 50% of the area could be restored. The
re-establishment of the typical biodiversity was recorded.
Utilisation of Peatland Areas
An important strategie in restoration measures of wetlands is the agricultural use
through paludiculture (Wichmann and Wichtmann 2011; Joosten et al. 2012).
Growing human population requires a sustainable agricultural production,
e.g. food production or production of energy plants. In the northern hemisphere
fruits such as blueberry, cloudberry or different kinds of cranberry of the genera
Ribes, Rubus, or Vaccinium) or mushrooms are collected. In fens the harvest of
grassy plants could support biogas or biofuel production, as well as being used as a
source for fibers, which can be used in construction. The traditional use of reed
(Phragmites) for thatched roofing is widespread.
In tropical peatlands also trees are common, e.g. sago palm or trees for rubber
production. A wide range of plants is as well useable as sources for medicinal use.
An open canopy of trees is often seen as a positive aspect, as they reduce the
transpiration in the lower levels of the vegetation through reducing the wind speed.
Moreover, the use of wetlands for hunting and fishing is an important source for
the local population. Some indigenous people are closely bound to the semi-aquatic
way of life, for example the Florida Seminole and Miccosucce people in the
Everglades (Sturtevant and Cattelino 2004). Other semi-aquatic regions profit from
the relatively high productivity as grazing area, e.g. the Ruoergai (Zoige) peatlands
on the eastern Tibetan Plateau (Joosten et al. 2012).
And last but not least, many wetlands are a well-known and attractive aim for
tourists (Fig. 2). In the northern European or Northern American states hikers are
visiting bogs and fens, often on footbridges. The everglades are a legendary touristic
region, but also others are well connected. Thus, bogs and fens provide employment
as touristic attractions, needing guides, explainers or managers of nature centers.
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M. Lindner and C. Hobohm
not be allowed. They will reduce the water influx to the basin, in which the mire lies,
and extract groundwater. Another danger are fires in the neighborhood, which are
common in South Africa, but may not take over to dry peat.
Examples with positive effects for the hydrologic conditions have been examined
worldwide. An interesting example from a rather arid area is described from the
Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia, Iraque, by Maltby and Acreman (2011).
Marshes of 25,000 km
2 were destroyed up to 2000 by 90%, increasing to 93% in
2003, mainly by using the water upstream for electric power and irrigation. Sandstorms, a loss of endangered species, and a loss of a specified agriculture was
recorded. After rewetting, till 2005 already 50% of the area could be restored. The
re-establishment of the typical biodiversity was recorded.
Utilisation of Peatland Areas
An important strategie in restoration measures of wetlands is the agricultural use
through paludiculture (Wichmann and Wichtmann 2011; Joosten et al. 2012).
Growing human population requires a sustainable agricultural production,
e.g. food production or production of energy plants. In the northern hemisphere
fruits such as blueberry, cloudberry or different kinds of cranberry of the genera
Ribes, Rubus, or Vaccinium) or mushrooms are collected. In fens the harvest of
grassy plants could support biogas or biofuel production, as well as being used as a
source for fibers, which can be used in construction. The traditional use of reed
(Phragmites) for thatched roofing is widespread.
In tropical peatlands also trees are common, e.g. sago palm or trees for rubber
production. A wide range of plants is as well useable as sources for medicinal use.
An open canopy of trees is often seen as a positive aspect, as they reduce the
transpiration in the lower levels of the vegetation through reducing the wind speed.
Moreover, the use of wetlands for hunting and fishing is an important source for
the local population. Some indigenous people are closely bound to the semi-aquatic
way of life, for example the Florida Seminole and Miccosucce people in the
Everglades (Sturtevant and Cattelino 2004). Other semi-aquatic regions profit from
the relatively high productivity as grazing area, e.g. the Ruoergai (Zoige) peatlands
on the eastern Tibetan Plateau (Joosten et al. 2012).
And last but not least, many wetlands are a well-known and attractive aim for
tourists (Fig. 2). In the northern European or Northern American states hikers are
visiting bogs and fens, often on footbridges. The everglades are a legendary touristic
region, but also others are well connected. Thus, bogs and fens provide employment
as touristic attractions, needing guides, explainers or managers of nature centers.
318
M. Lindner and C. Hobohm