Preface: Restoration, biogeochemistry and ecological services of wetlands

Abstract

Natural wetlands, including fens, shallow lakes and floodplains, provide many benefits to society (Costanza et al., 1997). In particular, these wetlands deliver important functions as long-term sinks for nutrients and carbon, as hydrological buffers, and as habitats for many endangered plant and animal species (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). In the face of eutrophication of watercourses, decreasing biodiversity, and expected climate changes, the importance of these multi-functional wetlands is being recognized more and more (McInnes, 2011). Currently, there are international efforts to protect wetlands or to repair their functions in the landscape through restoration measures (Erwin, 2009). However, their ecological rehabilitation has long been based on trial and error. Increasingly knowledge of the biogeochemical drivers of natural and biodiverse wetlands, and how these pertain to successful restoration, is vital in order to prevent costly operations with an unpredictable outcome (Klotzli & Grootjans, 2001). With relevant knowledge the restoration outcomes can be forecasted and choices should, therefore, be based on the actual restoration potential of an area rather than on the reconstruction of the prior ecosystem (van Diggelen et al., 2001). This approach requires information on causal relations and therefore experiments and investigations at different scales are of pivotal importance. Successful restoration of wetlands calls for interdisciplinary experimental research in which ecology, hydrology, microbiology, and geochemistry merge into a system-ecological approach. Furthermore, different scientific disciplines must be integrated with wetland managers, stakeholders, and crosssectoral government agencies throughout all stages of wetland restoration (from objective setting to postrestoration monitoring), in order to optimize restoration measures (Trepel, 2007). Embracing this approach, the 4th Annual Meeting of the European Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) was held between 20th and 24th of May 2009 in Erkner, near Berlin, both scientists and practitioners came together to share their knowledge. The SWS is a 3500? member organisation that promotes scientific understanding, scientificallybased management and sustainable use of wetlands. Under the theme ‘‘Progress and problems in wetland science—with a particular focus upon wetland restoration in Europe’’, the 4th Annual Meeting attracted Guest editors: Dominik Zak, Robert McInnes, Jorg Gelbrecht / Restoration, biogeochemistry and ecological services of wetlands