Value Of Wetlands Research Articles

Economic Evaluation of Koothapar Big Tank Wetland Ecosystem Services in Tamil Nadu

Koothapar big tank in Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu, India, was selected for this study. The estimated total economic value of the Koothapar big tank wetland was `1031 lakhs per annum. The primary component that contributed to the total economic value was provisional services. Further, bathing and washing accounted for 23.28 per cent of the total economic value, followed by irrigation at 16.39 per cent, aesthetics at 10.28 per cent, cattle grazing at 10.09 per cent, biodiversity conservation at 8.34 per cent and flood storage at 7.86 per cent. This study would also help policymakers develop welfare policies to enhance the optimal usage of the services and conservation and restoration of the Koothapar Big Tank wetland.

Participatory mapping of ecosystem services of coastal wetlands in Taiwan

AbstractThere is a lack of knowledge and understanding about what ecosystem services are and how to utilize them in a sustainable way. Ecosystem services are thus often underrecognized by the decision makers in charge of creating wetland management plans. Due to this, ecosystem services, which have been used by communities for a long time, are often left out of wetland's wise‐use plans. Inclusion of local communities and promotion of local knowledge are vital aspects of creating sustainable, equitable and resilient wetland management plans that are truly ‘wise’. In this research, we utilize participatory mapping methods to engage communities and create a database of the ecosystem services being used in Chigu Salt Pan Wetland and Chigu Lagoon, located along the coast of Southwestern Taiwan. We look at who are using the ecosystem services, to what degree they are being used and where exactly in the wetland system they are being extracted/utilized. This will pave the way for future researchers to better understand the value of Chigu Salt Pan Wetland and the ecosystem services they provide and promote the use of participatory methods in other locations.

Effects of river infrastructure, dredged material placement, and altered hydrogeomorphic processes: The stress ecology of floodplain wetlands and associated fish communities

Recognition of the habitat values of coastal and floodplain wetlands has inspired research and engineering to restore biological functions after widespread species declines. However, the restoration and management of tidal river floodplains requires a more complete understanding of anthropogenic stressors on hydrogeomorphology and ecological processes. River floodplains near the ocean are affected by localized diking and dredging as well as basin-wide stressors such as dams. We evaluated the effects of stressors versus spatial position, both longitudinal and lateral to the mainstem, using physical and biological response variables in river floodplain wetlands. We categorized historical and modern stressors on the hydrogeomorphic regime of the lower Columbia River and estuary, northeast Pacific coast, including basin-scale management and local impacts. Using this categorization, we analyzed 44 attributes using field-collected data from 50 floodplain wetlands. Attributes represent channels, floods, plant communities, and fish communities. Here we show that plant and fish communities are stratified by position along the estuarine–riverine gradient, in contrast to physical habitat characteristics, which are stratified by stressors on hydrogeomorphic regimes and in some cases the lateral distance from the mainstem river on tributaries. Spatial position relative to water-level dynamics and salinity more strongly affect the biota than does stressor history. Stressor effects were greatest on the geomorphology observed in formerly diked, now reconnected wetlands and in wetlands with a history of dredged material placement; historically diked sites had anomalously deep channels with larger cross-sectional areas while sites with dredged material had shallow channels and lower levels of organic carbon in sediment. In wetlands subject only to landscape-scale stressors such as flow alterations by dams, organic carbon levels were higher. These findings provide natural resource managers with opportunities to enhance similarity to natural conditions and better understand future wetland evolution from different baselines of stressor history and river position.

Wetland photography, encounters and values

Between 2016 and 2019 I embarked on a photo-essay of wetlands in English Lowlands as part of the UKRI funded project WetlandLIFE. This was a personal exploration of the sense of place of wetlands as experienced through photography. The aim was to create a collection of images around which the values of wetlands could be considered. Over 2000 photographs were taken and 32 images formed the final collection. Thirteen photographs and two photo-compilations are presented in this paper alongside reflections on the contribution of arts-based research and photography to encountering nature and creating conversations about human/nature relations. The photographs are thematically presented in six categories reflecting different aspects of my wetland experiences, these are: Authority; Memory; Work and Leisure; Creatures; Texture and Movement; Vistas (expansive and enclosed). The photographs illustrate ways society and nature are intertwined and provide a departure point for conversations about wetlands as socio-natural places.

An improvement on the assessment of ecosystem services value of urban wetlands under consideration of water yield at regional scale.

Urban wetlands are gaining more attention and showing more important play in the sustainability. Surge findings are attached on the assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Service Value (WESV) in urban areas. While determining WESV in urban areas, it is still difficult to capture the nature of wetlands due to neglecting the impact of related impervious surfaces. It is necessary to improve the existing evaluating methods of WESV when seeking the truth. In order to narrow this issue, based on InVEST model, this study employed Equivalent Factors (EF) to determine WESV in urban areas with a case of Hengyang City, China. The main materials of this study included high-resolution images, DEM, precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil, vegetation, and statistical yearbook of the case. By comparing the uncorrected results with precipitation corrected and water yield corrected results of WESV, this study confirmed that: (1) the corrected results can reflect more real status than uncorrected; (2) in terms of EF, the water yield factor is more conducive to finding the truth than precipitation. Through this study, the water yield factor can effectively reduce the adverse effects of climate and improve the accuracy when determining WESV in urban areas.

Assessment of Ecosystem Service Values of Urban Wetland: Taking East Lake Scenic Area in Wuhan as an Example

Urban wetlands represent a significant ecosystem type within urban landscapes. The quantitative assessment of their ecological service value holds great significance in guiding and improving the urban habitat. However, due to the insufficient spatial resolution of traditional low-to-medium resolution remote sensing imagery for surface monitoring, previous studies have conducted relatively limited research on the ecosystem services of urban wetlands. In this paper, based on multi-source data including multi-scale remote sensing data, a spatial-temporal fusion model and multiple ecological parameter inversion models were employed to invert three key ecological parameters at high spatial resolution, thereby assessing the ecosystem service values (ESVs) of urban wetlands. Taking the East Lake Scenic Area (ELSA) in Wuhan as an example, the dynamics of its ecosystem services’ value components were comparatively analyzed. The results indicate that, while the total value of ecosystem services declined slightly in 2015 compared to 2011, there was a notable increase in their value to CNY 3.219 billion by 2019, which represents a doubling of the total value relative to 2011. This trend could be primarily attributed to a significant rise in cultural services within the region. Specifically, the value of tourism services reached CNY 2.090 billion in 2019, representing a threefold increase compared to 2011. This demonstrates that ecosystem services in the ELSA have been significantly optimized and enhanced through associated ecological projects. Further research should investigate the mechanisms by which urbanization affects these crucial ecosystem services, particularly the characterization of cultural services in urban wetlands, and develop more effective strategies to enhance urban resilience and sustainable development.

Quantifying spatiotemporal dynamics in the Kolonnawa marsh of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Kolonnawa marsh (KM) is an important wetland ecosystem in Colombo district, Sri Lanka that provides essential ecosystem services, and has undergone significant changes over recent decades due to continuous exploitation and reclamation. The values of wetlands are disregarded by decision-makers, despite the fact that they are crucial for improving the quality of water and offer chances for relaxation and amusement in metropolitan areas. Underestimation of the value of wetlands contributes to their continuing deterioration and inevitable loss. Investigating the changes in wetlands can provide crucial information for decision-making. This study aimed to monitor the spatiotemporal land-cover dynamics of KM with the prospect prediction as reduced total extent of KM gradually with time and marsh area being transformed into terrestrial vegetation with time. The collective images from Google Earth (2000 to 2021) and drone data (2022) were analyzed with the GIS application. Subsequently, 50-m2 grid squares with unique cell IDs are designed to link among land cover maps for spatiotemporal land-cover change analysis. Then, we calculate land cover category: surface water, marsh, and terrestrial vegetation proportions for each map in 50-m2 grid cells. Statistical comparison of the land cover changes in grid square cells shows that each land cover category has significant change with the time. The results showed that the reduction of KM marsh resulting in land cover changes has a positive implication on wetland degradation. Thus, interventions should be made for the restoration and sustainable management of KM.

Quantifying intangible values of wetlands as instrument for conservation in the Po delta park (Italy)

Wetlands possess intangible values that are usually overlooked in decision-making processes. Based on questionnaire surveys, this work aims to quantify both the non-use and cultural values provided by the different wetlands of the Po Delta Park (Northern Italy), selected as ideal case study, using willingness to pay (WTP) for wetland conservation and travel cost methods, respectively. Their relationships with socio-economic variables and respondents' preferences for current and future use were also analysed. The 61.39% of participants were willing to pay a mean amount of 95.8 € (±40). The average travel cost was 38.68 € (±6.24), with higher values observed for environmental experts than for other citizens. Wetlands differ significantly in travel costs, current and future use, but not in WTP. Poisson regressions showed that non-use and cultural values were significantly dependent on personal information, preference variables and travel distance. Intangible dimensions, such as bequest and existence values, showed higher valuations/rates than option and direct use values. The results highlight that perceptions of the intrinsic value of nature are influenced by demographic characteristics, distance from the area and desired future uses. Non-use values seem abstract and generalised to the whole area, regardless of the ecological characteristics of the wetland, even though a significant relation to wetland uses was observed. In contrast, cultural values are tied to specific wetlands, as indication of the importance of historical relationships between people and nature. Such findings underline that the different dimensions of intrinsic value of nature may act at different scales and help decision-makers to incorporate such values into environmental accounting.

Land use changes and edaphic properties control contents and isotopic compositions of soil organic carbon and nitrogen in wetlands

Land use change in wetlands leads to significant losses of soil organic matter (SOM). Stable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes offer insights into changes in C3/C4 vegetation, SOM sources, and decomposition processes. Yet, predicting the spatial–temporal dynamics of SOM contents and isotopes under land use changes remains challenging. This study delves into the effects of land use changes on soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), δ13C and δ15N values, and soil physico-chemical properties and lignin phenols. Our results highlight the significance of soil water content (SWC) in determining the outcomes of land use changes. The conversion of wetland to cropland, forestland and construction land, led to notable reductions in SOC contents (8.71–56.33 %), and TN contents (7.87–37.12 %). Wetland conversion resulted in an enrichment of 13C and 15N abundance, with wetlands exhibiting the lowest δ13C (−25.57 to –22.89 ‰) and δ15N (2.66 to 6.67 ‰) values. A significant correlation occurred between δ13C and δ15N values in wetlands, but underwent considerable changes after wetland conversion. Key parameters, including bulk density (BD), C:N, the acid-to-aldehyde of vanillyl ((Ad/Al)v), lignin content (Λ8), and total phosphorus (TP), were identified as influencing factors for both SOC and TN contents. When evaluating δ13C values, the most influential factors included silt, C:N, SOC, sand, and BD. These indicate the importance of soil chemical group (from 41 % to 21 %) in elucidating δ13C values declined, while lignin group’s (from 9 % to 28 %) importance increased from topsoil to subsoil. The acid-to-aldehyde of syringyl ((Ad/Al)s), Λ8, C:N, BD and the cinnamyl-to-vanillyl ratio (C/V) were identified as the primary factors influencing δ15N values, with chemical group accounting for 36 % and lignin group for 48 % in topsoil, while physical group dominated 42 % in subsoil. Our findings underscore the shifts in SOM sources and distinct mechanisms of degradation/preservation of SOM following land use changes.

Evaluation and Driving Forces of Ecosystem Service Change in Maqu Alpine Wetland: An Emergy Approach

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, providing various key ecosystem services to humans and other organisms. However, an insufficient understanding of the economic value and importance of wetland resources has seriously weakened the ecosystem service value of wetlands. Thus, a more comprehensive understanding of wetland ecosystem services must be revealed in order to propose appropriate conservation policies. Therefore, to achieve the abovementioned goals, we used the emergy value accounting method to account for the ecosystem service value of the Maqu alpine wetlands, and the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index was used to analyze the driving forces affecting changes in ecosystem services. The results indicate that the ecosystem service value of the Maqu alpine wetlands showed a trend of decline and then rebound during 1990–2020; its unit area emergy value decreased from 3.85 × 1010 sej/m2/y to 3.04 × 1010 sej/m2/y during 1990–2000, and after 2010, it began to gradually rebound. Moreover, the monetary ecosystem service value of the Maqu alpine wetlands continued to rise during the study period, reaching 41.45 USD/m2/y in 2020, thus reflecting the great potential value of wetland ecosystems. Based on our analysis, the key drivers affecting the changes in ecosystem services include economic scale and emergy benefit. Rapid and intensive human activities have boosted local economic development, but these developments have come at the cost of environmental degradation. Finally, some suggestions are proposed. This study suggests that the alpine wetlands in Maqu occupy an important ecological position within the whole Yellow River basin. Therefore, it is worthwhile to invest a significant amount of funding in their restoration and protection.

Navigating through Complexity by Profiling the Main Threats to Sustainable Tropical Wetlands Management and Governance: A Case Study of Mityana District, Uganda

Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that promote sustainable livelihood and biodiversity conservation, especially in tropical regions. However, recent studies have reported increasing threats to wetlands both environmental and human which threaten the provision and acquisition of several wetland benefits. Though there is recognition of the value of wetlands, in most local communities in Uganda; especially around the Lake Wamala region in Mityana district, there is still limited knowledge and research on the benefits of wetlands and the level of threat thus affecting wetland governance. This research addresses this gap by using participatory research to create a baseline inventory that could be used by wetland managers to identify the main wetlands threats to inform policy on how to develop participatory actions and local area-based management practices. The study was conducted in 14 sub-counties and a sample of 105 wetlands along the wetlands of Lake Wamala and River Mayanja wetlands system in Mityana District was captured. Study findings revealed increased human threats to wetlands especially in the River Mayanja seasonal wetlands zone. The increased effects of environmental threats such as climate change are also altering permanent wetlands along Lake Wamala. Our developed inventory based on local participants' perspectives revealed that since the level of damage to wetlands in Mityana especially the permanent wetlands is relatively low, a focus on developing new mapping, and a decentralized approach to wetland management that focuses on capacity building, development of wetlands action plans, increased support to local wetland authorities, and a system thinking approach in wetland threat identification and management could help in the regeneration of most wetlands zones.

Determination of Minimum Ecological Value of Wetland and Assessment of Hydrologic Alteration Indicators Affecting Local Communities’ Livelihood: Case Study Anzali Wetland

Determination of Minimum Ecological Value of Wetland and Assessment of Hydrologic Alteration Indicators Affecting Local Communities’ Livelihood: Case Study Anzali Wetland

Socio-Economic Value of Wetlands: A Case Study of Bihar

This paper delves into the socio-economic significance of wetlands and the associated conservation challenges. Notably, North Bihar heavily relies on wetlands, contributing 64%, while South Bihar contributes 36% to the total wetland area. The diverse importance of these wetlands is evident through their ecosystem services, encompassing domestic use, income generation, ecotourism, and biodiversity support. Vital economic activities, including fisheries and agriculture, thrive, playing a pivotal role in supporting local livelihoods. Despite their cultural and religious significance, Bihar's wetlands confront threats like altered water flow, pollution, and encroachment. Urgent and tailored conservation strategies are essential to ensure the enduring sustainability of these ecosystems. The study offers valuable insights into wetland distribution, services, challenges, and conservation efforts in Bihar. Keywords: Conservation, North Bihar, South Bihar, Socioeconomic Value and Wetlands.

Machine Learning-Based Classification of Small-Sized Wetlands Using Sentinel-2 Images

<abstract> <p>Wetlands are invaluable ecosystems, offering essential services such as carbon sequestration, water purification, flood control and habitat for countless aquatic species. However, these critical environments are under increasing threat from factors like industrialization and agricultural expansion. In this research, we focused on small-sized wetlands, typically less than 10 acres in size, due to their unique ecological roles and groundwater recharge contributions. To effectively protect and manage these wetlands, precise mapping and monitoring are essential. To achieve this, we exploited the capabilities of Sentinel-2 imagery and employ a range of machine learning algorithms, including Random Forest (RF), Classification and Regression Tree (CART), Gradient Tree Boost (GTB), Naive Bayes (NB), k-nearest neighbors (KNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Our evaluation used variables, such as spectral bands, indices and image texture. We also utilized Google Earth Engine (GEE) for streamlined data processing and visualization. We found that Random Forest (RF) and Gradient Tree Boost (GTB) outperformed other classifiers according to the performance evaluation. The Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) came out to be one of the important predictors in mapping wetlands. By exploring the synergistic potential of these algorithms, we aim to address existing gaps and develop an optimized approach for accurate small-sized wetland mapping. Our findings will be useful in understanding the value of small wetlands and their conservation in the face of environmental challenges. They will also lay the framework for future wetland research and practical uses.</p> </abstract>

An Estimation of Ecosystem Service Value of Rice Paddy Wetland in Korea Using Contingent Valuation Method

Agricultural land is an important ecosystem that is essential for human life, and rice paddies, in particular, provide many ecosystem services such as food production and the maintenance of biodiversity. Although the value of rice paddy wetlands is high, they are rapidly disappearing due to urbanization and development. This study aims to estimate the monetary value of the rice paddy wetland ecosystem and investigate the proportion of benefits for each rice paddy wetland function to provide policy implications for rice paddy wetland management. To this end, this study conducted a survey with 988 South Korean citizens regarding rice paddy wetlands and adopted the contingent valuation method (CVM) with various approaches (double-bounded dichotomous choice pooled model, double-bounded dichotomous choice panel model, pseudo referendum model, open-ended question model, etc.). Considering the characteristics of each approach, the present value of the total willingness to pay (WTP) per household was estimated to range from 327 to 347 USD. When extrapolated to the entire country, the total WTP of all households in South Korea is estimated from 6.7 to 7.1 billion USD. This study also finds that households have an average WTP distribution ratio by paddy wetlands function as follows: food supply 33.8%, biodiversity 27.2%, disaster and pollution control 24.2%, and cultural services 14.8%. These findings have policy implications by providing valuable insights for decision-making in determining the priority and allocation levels of financial resources in the future design of policies related to paddy wetlands.

More Than a Service: Values of Rivers, Wetlands and Floodplains Are Informed by Both Function and Feeling

How people value rivers, wetlands and floodplains influences their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours towards these ecosystems, and can shape policy and management interventions. Better understanding why people value rivers, wetlands and floodplains and their key ecosystem components, such as vegetation, helps to determine what factors underpin the social legitimacy required for effective management of these systems. This study sought to ascertain perspectives on the value of non-woody vegetation in river-floodplain systems via an online survey. The survey found that participants valued non-woody vegetation for their provision of a range of ecosystem functions and services, with strong emphasis on ecological aspects such as regulation functions, habitat provision and biodiversity. However, the inclusion of a question framed to focus on stories or narratives resulted in a different emphasis. Responses indicated that non-woody vegetation, and rivers, wetlands and floodplains were valued for the way they made people feel through lived experiences such as recreational activities, personal interactions with nature, educational and research experiences. This highlights the important role of storytelling in navigating complex natural resource management challenges and ascertaining a deeper understanding of values that moves beyond provision of function to feeling. Improved understanding of the diverse ways people value and interact with river-floodplain systems will help develop narratives and forms of engagement that foster shared understanding, empathy and collaboration. Appreciation of plural values such as the provision of functions and services along with the role of emotional connections and lived experience will likely increase lasting engagement of the general public with management to protect and restore river-floodplain systems.

Ecological environment value assessment and ecological civilization in the Changjiang River basin

AbstractWith the rapid growth of urbanization and industrialization, the strain on resources and the environment has intensified, resulting in challenges such as soil erosion and biodiversity loss. To address these issues, the development of a circular economy and eco‐cities has become crucial. This article proposes an ecosystem assessment model based on the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) that incorporates environmental carrying capacity and energy regeneration capacity. The model aims to evaluate the ecological service value of wetlands in the Changjiang River basin. The results demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms other comparison methods, exhibiting a high level of accuracy. Furthermore, the simulation outcomes indicate that enhancing eco‐efficiency can enhance the environmental carrying capacity and energy regeneration capacity of the ecosystem, ultimately leading to an overall improvement in ecosystem value.

Measurement of Non-Use Value of Sand Lake Wetland Under CVM Method

Measurement of Non-Use Value of Sand Lake Wetland Under CVM Method

High vulnerability of coastal wetlands in Chile at multiple scales derived from climate change, urbanization, and exotic forest plantations

Coastal wetlands are considered one of the most vulnerable ecosystems worldwide; the ecosystem services they provide and the conservation of their biodiversity are threatened. Despite the high ecological and socioenvironmental value of coastal wetlands, regional and national vulnerability assessments are scarce. In this study we aimed to assess the vulnerability of coastal wetlands in Chile from 18°S to 42°S (n = 757) under a multiscale approach that included drivers associated with climate change and land cover change. We assessed multiple drivers of vulnerability at three spatial scales (10 m, 100 m, and 500 m) by analyzing multiple remote sensing data (16 variables) on land cover change, wildfires, climatic variables, vegetation functional properties, water surface and importance for biodiversity. We constructed a multifactorial vulnerability index based on the variables analyzed, which provided a map of coastal wetland vulnerability. Then we explored the main drivers associated with the vulnerability of each coastal wetland by performing a Principal Components Analysis with Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering, which allowed us to group coastal wetlands according to the drivers analyzed. We found that 42.6 ± 9.2 % of the coastal wetlands evaluated have high or very high vulnerability, with higher vulnerability at the 500 m scale (51.4 %). We identified four groups of coastal wetlands: two located in central Chile, mainly affected by climate change-associated drivers (41.9 ± 2.1 %), and one in central Chile which is affected by land cover change (52.8 ± 6.2 %); the latter has a lower vulnerability level. The most vulnerable coastal wetlands were located in central Chile. Our results present novel findings about the current vulnerability of coastal wetlands, which could be validated by governmental institutions in field campaigns. Finally, we believe that our methodological approach could be useful to generate similar assessments in other world zones.

A Voucher Flora of Diatoms from Fens in the Tanana River Floodplain, Alaska.

Climate change and human activities may alter the structure and function of boreal peatlands by warming waters and changing their hydrology. Diatoms can be used to assess or track these changes. However, effective biomonitoring requires consistent, reliable identification. To address this need, this study developed a diatom voucher flora of species found across a boreal fen gradient (e.g., vegetation) in interior Alaskan peatlands. Composite diatom samples were collected bi-weekly from three peatland complexes over the 2017 summer. The morphological range of each taxon was imaged. The fens contained 184 taxa across 38 genera. Eunotia (45), Gomphonema (23), and Pinnularia (20) commonly occurred in each peatland. Tabellaria was common in the rich and moderate fen but sparse in the poor fen. Eunotia showed the opposite trend. Approximately 11% of species are potentially novel and 25% percent matched those at risk or declining in status on the diatom Red List (developed in Germany), highlighting the conservation value of boreal wetlands. This voucher flora expands knowledge of regional diatom biodiversity and provides updated, verifiable taxonomic information for inland Alaskan diatoms, building on Foged's 1981 treatment. This flora strengthens the potential to effectively track changes in boreal waterways sensitive to climate change and anthropogenic stressors.