Wetland environments: a global perspective

Wetlands - swamp, marsh, bayou, tundra and bog - are places that are rarely visited and often misunderstood but they have, in fact, conspicuous roles in the physical, biological and cultural geography of the world. They are intrinsically beautiful environments where one may see the natural and essential values in the interaction of water, soil, vegetation, wildlife, and humans. Wetlands occur at the confluence of unique terrestrial, hydrological and climatic conditions that give rise to some of the most biodiverse regions of the world. They also play vital roles in the cycling and storage of key nutrients, materials and energy through the Earth?s system. A complete study of wetland environments requires the assessment of their physical and biological attributes, properties and functions of these ecosystems, and the economic, political and social aspects that mediate their use globally. A systems approach is taken throughout this book which emphasizes the interactions between these elements of wetland ecosystems. Moreover, selected case studies from across the world are used to illustrate wetland characteristics and circumstances. This book is intended to foster a greater awareness and appreciation of wetlands, promote a culture of conservation and wise management, and spread the knowledge that wetlands are important, indeed crucial, elements of the global environment. Our attempts to understand, manage and enhance wetlands in the twenty-first century are part of the larger effort to maintain a sustainable Earth.

Wetland environments: A global perspective; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I; 1: Wetland overview; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 How much and where; 1.3 Wetland trends; 1.4 Wetland preservation and protection; 1.5 Wetland science; 1.6 Book approach and outline; 1.7 Summary; 2: Wetland criteria; 2.1 Definitions; 2.2 Water; 2.3 Soil; 2.4 Vegetation; 2.5 Wetland classification; 2.6 Peatland; 2.7 Anthropogenic dimensions of wetlands; 2.8 Summary; 3: Methods in wetland research; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Remote sensing; 3.2.1 Image resolution and interpretability; 3.2.2 Wetland image interpretation.

5.3 Hydric soil criteria5.4 Mineral and organic hydric soils; 5.5 Submerged wetland substrates; 5.6 Summary; 6: Wetland vegetation; 6.1 Plant adaptations; 6.1.1 Structural adaptations; 6.1.2 Biochemical adaptations; 6.2 Ecological categories; 6.2.1 Shoreline plants; 6.2.2 Emergent plants; 6.2.3 Floating plants; 6.2.4 Submerged plants; 6.2.5 Plant zonation; 6.3 Indicator categories; 6.4 Plant hardiness zones; 6.5 Invasive plant species; 6.6 Summary; 7: Wetland wildlife; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Wetland invertebrates; 7.2.1 Insects; 7.2.2 Mosquitos; 7.2.3 Corals; 7.3 Wetland vertebrates.

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