Sustaining the World's Wetlands - Setting Policy and Resolving Conflicts

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Contents

International Wetland Policy and Management Issues

Introduction

Wetland Stress and Loss

Development of International Wetland Policy

National Wetland Policy Developments Around the World

Plan of the Book

Acronyms

References

Cited International Wetland Web Sites

The Wadden Sea Wetlands: A Multi-jurisdictional Challenge

Introduction

Historical Overview

The Wadden Sea Physical Environment

Specific Wetland Resource Management Issues and Threats

The Dutch Wadden

Lauwersmeer

Ems-Dollart Area/the Netherlands and Germany

Lower Saxony - Germany

The Elbe - Germany

Schleswig-Holstein - Germany

The Danish Wadden

Skallingen

Varde A

Romo and Fano

Esbjerg

Protection and Management To Date

The Netherlands

Germany

Denmark

International Rules and Implementation

Ramsar Convention

World Heritage Commission

Bonn Convention

EC Directives

The Beginning of Cooperative Management of the Wadden Sea

Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation

The Trilateral Wadden Sea Plan - Key Elements

Delimitation

Shared Principles

Targets

Policy and Management

Summary and Missing Links

The Role of the Wadden Sea NGOs

The Role of Wetland Science in Monitoring, Modeling, and Future Impacts

Summary

Acronyms

References

The Axios River Delta - Mediterranean Wetland Under Siege

Introduction

Context of Greek Wetland Conservation

Legislation

Developing a Conservation and Protection Strategy

Institutional Policy Constraints and Obstacles

Mediterranean Context - the Grado Declaration

Role of International NGOs

Greek Plan for Action

Introduction and History of Case Study

Loss of the Interior Wetlands on the Thessaloniki Plain

Wetland Description

Wetland Vegetation

Wetland Fauna

Human Activities and Land Use

Threats to the Delta

Affect of Wetland Loss on Major Functions

Remaining Wetlands and Current Management Issues

Current Institutional Framework and Role of NGOs

Joint Ministerial Decision

Management Scheme

Habitat Directive

The Red Alert Project of WWF Greece

Progress to Date with the Red Alert Project

Institutional Development, Innovation, and Evaluation

Acronyms

References

The Kafue Flats in Zambia, Africa: A Lost Floodplain?

Introduction

General Floodplain Ecology

Human Use and Land Use History

The National Parks

Hydroelectric Development on the Kafue River

Water Regulation

Ecological and Other Impacts from a Modified Hydrologic Regime

Vegetation

Affects on Fauna

Effects on Consumptive and Non-consumptive Uses

Role of CBOs and NGOs

Financial Arrangements and Revenue Streams

Project Results to 1990s

Summary and Evaluation of NGO Roles Post-2000

Acronyms

References

Community-Based Wetland Management: A Case Study of Brace Bridge Nature Park (BBNP), Kolkata, India

Introduction - Urban Wetlands Utilization

Introduction for India-Bangladesh Region

Introduction for Case Study

Ecological History of the Brace Bridge Nature Park

History and Involvement of a Fisherman Community-Based Organization

Past Use of the Locality

History of Wetland Plant Community Change

Plant Communities Prior to 1985

Major Changes in the Plant Community

Present Wetland Plant Communities

Present Use of the Brace Bridge Nature Parks

Present Activities

Disturbances and Threats to the BBNP

Economic and Social Values of Wetlands

Wetland Management Issues

Water Quality Management

Water Level Management

Vegetation and Landscape Management

Aquatic Species Management

Organizational Development

Controversy Surrounding the Protection of BBNP

Summary

Acronyms

References

Restoration of the Tram Chim National Wildlife Preserve, Vietnam

Introduction

Historical Context

Wetland Soils

Wetland Flora

Wetland Fauna

Early Restoration Efforts

Eastern Sarus Cranes Rediscovered

Initiation of Joint Agreement, International Meetings Toward a Management Plan

Hydrological Restoration

Implementation of Hydrologic and Water Quality Restoration

Monitoring and Evaluation

Conservation Issues

The Role of the International Crane Foundation and Other NGOs

Other Key Actors

Summary

Acronyms

References

The Great Lakes Wetlands Policy Consortium - Bilateral NGO Action Aimed at the Great Lakes

Background

The Resource

Threats

Protection Policies

Regulations

Tax Incentives

Acquisition/Securement

Restoration

Significant Tri-national Wetlands Management Efforts

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council’s History

History of the Great Lakes Wetlands Policy Consortium

Development of the Great Lakes Wetlands Policy Consortium

Summary

Acronyms

References

Web Sites Used

Estuaries on the Edge, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Introduction

Regional Context

Mexican Coastal Zone Management History

Current Coastal Zone Planning in Mexico

The Case Study Areas Ría Celestún and Ría Lagartos

Climate

Geomorphology

Northern Yucatan Hydrology

Northern Yucatan Vegetation

Ría Lagartos Preserve

Ría Celestún

Ría Lagartos and Ría Celestún Preserves Hydrology

Ría Lagartos Vegetation

Wetland Vegetation Ría Celestún

Ría Lagartos Fauna

Fish of Ría Celestún and Ría Lagartos

Fauna of Ría Celestún

Human Use of the Preserves - Historical

Land Use/Current Economic Activity at Ría Lagartos

Agriculture

Residential Growth

Land Use and Tenancy at Ría Celestún

Management of the Preserves

Actors Involved with Preserve Management

Institutions and Major Actors Involved in Mexico’s Protected Natural Areas

Threats/Management Issues

Impact on Fish Productivity

Salt Industry Operations

Tourism and Ecotourism Impacts

Disturbance of Wildlife

Impacts of Agricultural Activities and Other Land Uses

Impacts of Development

Institutional Analysis

Lack of Resources and Decision-Making Power

Lack of Inter-agency Cooperation

Lack of Site Data and Plans

Lack of Public Participation in Planning and Management

Acronyms

References

The Mankote Mangrove: Microcosm of the Caribbean

Introduction and Caribbean and Latin American Wetland Policy Context

The Wetland Resource

Causes of Mangrove Wetland Stress and Degradation

Introduction to Mankote Mangrove Case Study

Geographical Context

Wetland Ecology

Local Land Use/Cultural History

Early Problems

Charcoal Production

Era of Increased Wetland Management

Current Management of the Mankote Mangrove

Policy and Government Stakeholders

The Role of Scientific Assessment

Management and Social Structure

Summary/Roles of CBOs and NGOs

Acronyms

References

Review of Wetland Management Roles, Functions, and Innovations

Introduction

Stakeholder Roles

Biosphere Reserves and Stakeholder Management History

Wetland System Management Innovations

International Wetland Management Principles

Acronyms

References

Index