Wetlands are complex and dynamic ecological systems incorporating two important, inter-linked components: hydrology and vegetation. Modelling wetland components and processes reveals the nature of wetland systems and helps to predict the effects of environmental change. The main goal of much current research is the construction of a vigorous and sp

Habitat environments of lakes and coastal wetlands are deteriorating due to their exploitative use and improper management, eroding the biodiversity and undermining the productivity of these unique ecosystems. This book examines ways to restore, conserve and manage lakes and coastal wetlands. It covers topics ranging from biodiversity to modeling and management and depicts case studies from different nations.

Around 6% of the Earth's land surface is covered by wetlands. Wetlands play a key role in hydrological and biogeochemical cycles, delivering multiple benefits to society: sources of water supply, flood regulation, water purification, agriculture, fisheries, and biodiversity. Hence, wetland systems are of immense socio-economic as well as ecological importance. In this research, the focus was on the Abras de Mantequilla (AdM) wetland in the tropical coastal region of Ecuador, a RAMSAR site and case study area for the EU-FP7 WETwin project. The research in this thesis involves a combination of field data collection, multivariate analysis techniques, as well as numerical modelling studies. The goal was to explore the effects of changes in hydrological forcing on the hydrodynamic and ecohydraulic responses of the wetland. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of how a tropical river-wetland system functions in terms of hydrodynamics, water quality, primary production, and biotic communities. Spatial patterns of biotic communities and environmental variables are obtained as well as spatio-temporal variability of hydrodynamics, water quality, primary productivity and fish habitat-suitability conditions. In data scarce areas and countries with financial constraints, the combination of field measurements with numerical models was extremely useful and relevant, confirming that these techniques complement each other in obtaining a better understanding of the dynamics of freshwater river–wetland systems. Studies like the present research can be used to enhance awareness about the environmental services of wetlands and stimulate cooperation between all stakeholders in order to achieve more sustainable wetland management.

Wetlands occur expansively all over the world in all the climatic zones, exhibit enormous diversity according to their genesis, geographical location, water regime and chemistry, dominant plants and sediment characters; providing food, fiber and raw materials, storm and flood control, clean water supply, scenic beauty and educational and recreational benefits. Besides, biotic-abiotic components and human inhabitants, the subsistence of these unique natural resources is under intimidation due to developmental activities, population pressure and anthropogenic stress; calls for a long term planning for preservation and conservation of these resources. The present book “Wetland Monitoring: A Practical Approach towards Eutrophication” focuses on abiotic components (hydrochemistry and geochemistry), biotic components (phytoplankton, zooplankton, aquatic macrophytes), biochemical profiling, degree of eutrophication, delineation of trophodynamics, metal accumulation, concentration, transport, and mobility of metals, and environmental modeling of significant wetlands of Central Gujarat, India. This book would certainly be useful and handy tool for students, academicians, researchers, scientists, practitioners and wetland managers at regional, national and global scale.

Wetlands are among the world’s most productive environments with countless species of plants and animals, as well as humans, dependent upon them for survival. Moreover, they provide many societal benefits including water quality improvement, flood storage, shoreline erosion control, and opportunities for recreation, education, and research. The conservation of inland wetlands is thus critical, and it is vital that they are protected in situ. The Handbook of Research on Monitoring and Evaluating the Ecological Health of Wetlands highlights the challenges of wetland conservation and current scenarios of existing wetlands and their effective management. The book also promotes the inventory, assessment, and monitoring of wetlands through a discussion of practical approaches, methodologies, and techniques. The strategies covered in this book can be applied in situ, depending on the wetland in which they will be applied. It covers the most cost-effective techniques in conservation of wetland technologies and the most cutting-edge research on monitoring of wetland health and its applications. Covering topics such as forest soil, greenhouse gasses, and ecological rejuvenation, it is an ideal resource for conservators, environmentalists, executives, policymakers, government officials, professionals, researchers, academicians, and students working in ecological management and wetland conservation fields.

This book delves into human-induced and natural impacts on coastal wetlands, intended or otherwise, through a series of vignettes that elucidate the environmental insults and efforts at amelioration and remediation. The alteration, and subsequent restoration, of wetland habitats remain key issues among coastal scientists. These topics are introduced through case studies and pilot programs that are designed to better understand the best practices of trying to save what is left of these fragile ecosystems. Local approaches, as well as national and international efforts to restore the functionality of marsh systems are summarily approached and evaluated by their efficacy in producing resilient reclamations in terms of climate-smart habitat conservation. The outlook of this work is global in extent and local by intent. Included here in summarized form are professional opinions of experts in the field that investigate the crux of the matter, which proves to be human pressure on coastal wetland environments. Even though conservation and preservation of these delicate environmental systems may be coming at a later date, many multi-pronged approaches show promise through advances in education, litigation, and engineering to achieve sustainable coastal systems. The examples in this book are not only of interest to those working exclusively with coastal wetlands, but also to those working to protect the surrounding coastal areas of all types.

Wetlands include mangroves, peatlands and marshes, rivers and lakes, deltas, floodplains, rice fields, and even coral reefs. It is known that wetlands are ecologically sensitive systems and the most vulnerable of habitats. Anthropogenic activities (urbanization, water uses, land cover changes, industrial activity, pollution, climatic change, etc.) have direct and indirect effects on wetlands. The evaluation of wetlands with a multidisciplinary perspective in environmental sciences and social sciences provides efficient results. Each chapter takes a crucial look at different approaches to the solution by analyzing wetland problems in the laboratory or in the field and collecting data. The purpose of this book is to help researchers, scientists, and decision-makers utilize a methodology appropriate for a specific problem.

This volume includes over 30 chapters, written by experts from around the world. It examines numerous management strategies for dealing with drought and scarcity. These strategies include management approaches for different regions, such as coastal, urban, rural, and agricultural areas. It offers multiple strategies for monitoring, assessing, and forcasting drought through the use of remote sensing and GIS tools. It also presents drought mitigation management strategies, such as groundwater management, rainwater harvesting, conservations practices, and more.