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Abstract

Wetlands cover at least 6 % of the Earth’s
surface. They play a key role in hydrological and biogeochemical
cycles, harbour a large part of the world’s
biodiversity, and provide multiple services to humankind.
However, pressure in the form of land reclamation, intense
resource exploitation, changes in hydrology, and pollution
threaten wetlands on all continents. Depending on the
region, 30–90 % of the world’s wetlands have already been
destroyed or strongly modified in many countries with no
sign of abatement. Climate change scenarios predict additional
stresses on wetlands, mainly because of changes in
hydrology, temperature increases, and a rise in sea level.
Yet, intact wetlands play a key role as buffers in the
hydrological cycle and as sinks for organic carbon, counteracting
the effects of the increase in atmospheric CO2.
Eight chapters comprising this volume of Aquatic Sciences
analyze the current ecological situation and the use of the
wetlands in major regions of the world in the context of
global climate change. This final chapter provides a synthesis
of the findings and recommendations for the
sustainable use and protection of these important
ecosystems.