Bringing together science and policy to protect and enhance wetland ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes

摘要

Wetland ecosystems operate at the cusp of hydrological and ecological functioning of agricultural landscapes. They provide a critical suite of regulating, provisioning, supporting and cultural ecosystem services to stabilise stream flow, intercept and attenuate diffuse pollutants, enhance biodiversity and nutrient cycling, sequester carbon, and provide aesthetic, spiritual, and recreational benefits for human culture (Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). However, agricultural development has led to the drainage, degradation and loss of vast areas of wetland that were once part of rural landscapes across the globe. Intensification of agriculture to raise food production to meet the needs of the rapidly increasing human population is increasing the pressure on remaining wetlands and making it difficult to implement policies to maintain and restore them. Yet, wetlands have the potential to provide vital services in agricultural landscapes that safeguard the livelihoods of societies, such as mitigation of flooding, and eutrophication of lakes and coastal waters that provide important recreational and fishery resources. Therefore it is critical to bring together science and policy to ensure that the ecosystem services provided by wetlands are properly recognised and appropriate efforts made to create, protect, and restore wetlands as integral components of sustainable agricultural landscapes.