The Wetlands Handbook

1076 Pages·2009·54.803 MB·English

by  Edward Maltby, Tom Barker

THE WETLANDS HANDBOOK
The Wetlands Handbook Edited by Edward Maltby and Tom Barker
© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. ISBN: 978-0-632-05255-4
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd ii 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1144 AAMM
The Wetlands Handbook
EDITORS
Edward Maltby BSc PhD
Professor of Wetland and Water Science
Institute for Sustainable Water,
Integrated Management and Ecosystem Research
University of Liverpool
Liverpool, L69 3GP, UK
Tom Barker BSc PhD
Research Ecologist
Institute for Sustainable Water,
Integrated Management and Ecosystem Research
University of Liverpool
Liverpool, L69 3GP, UK
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd iiiiii 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1166 AAMM
This edition fi rst published 2009, © 2009 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing program has
been merged with Wiley’s global Scientifi c, Technical and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell.
Registered offi ce: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK
Editorial offi ces: 9 600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK
The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, USA
For details of our global editorial offi ces, for customer services and for information about how to apply for
permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell
The right of the author to be identifi ed as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by
the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be
available in electronic books.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names
and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This
publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.
It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional
advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
The wetlands handbook / edited by Edward Maltby, Tom Barker.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-632-05255-4 (hardback : alk. paper) 1. Wetlands. 2. Wetland management. I. Maltby, Edward.
II. Barker, Tom.
QH87.3.W479 2009
577.68–dc22
2008029043
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Set in 9/11.5 pt Trump Mediaeval by Newgen Imaging Systems (P) Ltd, Chennai, India
Printed and bound in Singapore
1 2009
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd iivv 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1166 AAMM
Contents
Preface, ix
Contributors, xi
SECTION I WETLANDS IN THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT, 1
1 The Changing Wetland Paradigm, 3
Edward Maltby
2 Global Distribution, Diversity and Human Alterations of Wetland Resources, 43
Dennis F. Whigham
3 Biodiversity in Wetlands, 65
Brij Gopal
4 Peat as an Archive of Atmospheric, Climatic and Environmental Conditions, 96
R. Kelman Wieder, Merritt R. Turetsky and Melanie A. Vile
SECTION II WETLANDS IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT:
HOW DO WETLANDS WORK?, 113
5 Introduction – The Dynamics of Wetlands, 115
Tom Barker and Edward Maltby
6 Hydrological Dynamics I: Surface Waters, Flood and Sediment Dynamics, 120
Chris Baker, Julian R. Thompson and Matthew Simpson
7 Hydrological Dynamics II: Groundwater and Hydrological Connectivity, 169
Dave J. Gilvear and Chris Bradley
8 Hydrological Dynamics III: Hydro-ecology, 194
Ab P. Grootjans and Rudy Van Diggelen
9 Biogeochemical Dynamics I: Nitrogen Cycling in Wetlands, 213
John R. White and K.R. Reddy
10 Biogeochemical Dynamics II: Cycling and Storage of Phosphorus in Wetlands, 228
Curtis J. Richardson and Panchabi Vaithiyanathan
11 Biogeochemical Dynamics III: The Critical Role of Carbon in Wetlands, 249
Nancy B. Dise
12 Wetland Biogeochemical Cycles and their Interactions, 266
Jos T.A. Verhoeven
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd SSeecc11::vv 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1166 AAMM
vi Contents
13 Ecological Dynamics I: Vegetation as Bioindicator and Dynamic Community, 282
Bernard Clément and Michael C.F. Proctor
14 Ecological Dynamics II: The Infl uences of Vertebrate Herbivory on Ecological Dynamics in
Wetland Ecosystems, 304
Isabel J.J. Van Den Wyngaert and Roland Bobbink
15 Ecological Dynamics III: Decomposition in Wetlands, 326
Scott D. Bridgham and Gary A. Lamberti
SECTION III WETLANDS IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT: HOW CAN WE UTILISE THE
WORK OF WETLANDS?, 347
16 Introduction – Using Wetland Functioning, 349
Tom Barker and Edward Maltby
17 Wetlands and Water Resources, 357
Matthew P. McCartney and Michael C. Acreman
18 Wetland and Floodplain Soils: Their Characteristics, Management and Future, 382
Hadrian F. Cook, Samuel A.F. Bonnett and Leendert J. Pons
19 The Role of Buffer Zones for Agricultural Runoff, 417
Martin S.A. Blackwell, David V. Hogan, Gilles Pinay and Edward Maltby
20 Wetlands for Contaminant and Wastewater Treatment, 440
Robert H. Kadlec
SECTION IV WETLAND ASSESSMENT: HOW CAN WE MEASURE THAT WETLANDS
ARE WORKING?, 465
21 Introduction – Methodologies for Wetland Assessment, 467
Joseph S. Larson
22 The United States HGM (Hydrogeomorphic) Approach, 486
Mark M. Brinson
23 Development of a European Methodology for the Functional Assessment of Wetlands, 513
Edward Maltby, Tom Barker and Conor Linstead
24 Wetlands Assessment in Practice: Development and Application in the
United States Regulatory Context, 545
R. Daniel Smith
25 Wetland Evaluation in Developing Countries, 569
Henri Roggeri
26 Methodologies for Economic Evaluation of Wetlands and Wetland Functioning, 601
R. Kerry Turner, Roy Brouwer and S. Georgiou
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd SSeecc11::vvii 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1166 AAMM
Contents vii
SECTION V WETLAND DYSFUNCTIONING: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WETLANDS DO
NOT WORK?, 627
27 Introduction – How Do Wetlands Fail?, 629
Katherine C. Ewel
28 Hydrological Impacts in and around Wetlands, 643
Michael C. Acreman and Matthew P. McCartney
29 Biotic Pressures and Their Effects on Wetland Functioning, 667
C. Max Finlayson
30 Human Impacts: Farming, Fire, Forestry and Fuel, 689
Hans Joosten
SECTION VI WETLAND RESTORATION: MAKING WETLANDS WORK AGAIN, 719
31 Introduction – Re-establishment of Wetland Functioning, 721
Edward Maltby
32 Restoration of Wetland Environments: Lessons and Successes, 729
Arnold G. van der Valk
33 Replumbing Wetlands – Managing Water for the Restoration of
Bogs and Fens, 755
Russ P. Money, Bryan D. Wheeler, Andy J. Baird and A. Louise Heathwaite
34 Restoring Wetlands for Wildlife Habitat, 780
Dieter Ramseier, Frank Klötzli, Ursula Bollens and Jörg Pfadenhauer
35 Wetland Conditions and Requirements for Maintaining Economically Valuable Species:
Waterfowl, Furbearers, Fish and Plants, 802
Lisette C.M. Ross and Henry R. Murkin
SECTION VII SUSTAINABLE UTILISATION OF WETLANDS: BALANCING ECOSYSTEM
FUNCTIONING AND HUMAN NEEDS, 819
36 Introduction – Sustainable Wetlands in a Global Context, 821
Tom Barker
37 Melaleuca Wetlands and Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta,
Vietnam, 829
R.J. Safford, Edward Maltby, Duong Van Ni and Nick P. Branch
38 Multiple Use of Wetlands in Eastern Africa, 850
Reint Jacob Bakema, Geoffrey W. Howard and Adrian P. Wood
39 Deterioration and Rehabilitation of the Lower Danube Wetlands System, 876
Angheluta Vadineanu
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd SSeecc11::vviiii 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1166 AAMM
viii Contents
40 The Pantanal of Mato Grosso: Linking Ecological Research, Actual Use and Management for
Sustainable Development, 908
Wolfgang J. Junk, Carolina J. Da Silva, Karl Matthias Wantzen, Catia Nunes da Cunha and
Flavia Nogueira
41 Wetlands for conservation and recreation use in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, 944
Tom Barker, Steve Crooks and Johan Schutten
42 Everglades and Agriculture in South Florida, 961
Robert H. Kadlec
43 Conclusions: Wetlands for the Future, 983
Edward Maltby and Tom Barker
Glossary, 1003
Index, 1007
Colour plates appear in between pages 530–531
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd SSeecc11::vviiiiii 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1177 AAMM
Preface
Wetlands are diverse ecosystems that link some cutting edge scientifi c research on the fun-
people, wildlife and environment in special and damental ecology of individual species, commu-
often interdependent ways through the essential nities and wetland types, together with improved
life-support functions of water. Yet, once armed understanding of the management requirements
with the technology, human endeavour has for maintenance of particular ecological charac-
focussed primarily on the large-scale dehydra- teristics, such as application of burning, grazing,
tion of these landscapes, apart from exceptional water management, and the harvesting or control
and localised circumstances such as the creation of wildlife populations.
of mediaeval fi sh ponds, more recent aquacul- Conservation viewpoints, however, can over-
ture developments, decoy habitats for hunting or look the much wider role of wetlands as parts of
aquatic gardens. Although considerably depleted complex human and socio-economic landscapes,
in area compared with their historical extent, a in which it is essential to consider ecology and
new perspective of wetlands is now emerging and economics together in a more coherent approach
it is this change in attitude that underpins the to decision-making, rather than as separate and in
philosophy, rationale and motivation behind the confl ict. A generally held conservation-ecological
present text. perspective may view wetlands primarily as natu-
The term, ‘wet land’ has been long used pejo- ral communities, with the management objective
ratively, inferring land conditions that are less of maintaining the species, patterns and processes
than ideal for the majority of practical purposes. within individual wetlands. A more recent per-
‘Wetland’ is a relatively new entry in dictionaries, spective is functional, viewing wetlands as ‘living
even in the United States, where its more techni- machines that provide services to humans’ (Keddy
cal usage originated, probably in the 1950s in such 2000). This case has been argued for some time by
publications as an inventory of wetland wildlife Maltby (Maltby 1986, 1988; Maltby et al. 1994)
habitats by Shaw and Fredine in 1956. The term because it puts wetland protection and manage-
generally has been applied with an ecological, ment into the context of societal values such as
rather than any wider functional, connotation. water quality, fl ood risk reduction and fi sheries
Webster’s interpretation, for example, setting support. Politicians as well as the general public
aside the plethora of recent technical defi nitions, can more easily evaluate these benefi ts against
states, ‘swamps and marshes, especially as an area competing economic returns compared to the
preserved for wildlife’ (Merriam-Webster 2006). traditional nature conservation criteria. A strict
This restricted but common view of wetlands has interpretation of this view may infer that as long
supported a dichotomy between those areas that as particular functions are performed, the precise
may, or even should, be altered for more directly character of the ecosystem is of little signifi cance
‘productive’ uses, and those that should or could compared with its utilitarian values. The two
reasonably become part of a network of protected views, however, are not contradictory. Particular
sites. The basis of the latter designation is embed- species and communities may have specifi c and
ded in the more traditional thinking of nature even unique functional roles. They are, never-
conservation, emphasising species and communi- theless, examples of different perspectives of
ties (especially those that are rare, threatened or wetlands. Such apparently divergent scientifi c
endangered) or exceptional examples of a particu- positions on the signifi cance of these ecosystems
lar ecosystem type. This rationale has supported to society and our environment can contribute to
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd SSeecc33::iixx 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1177 AAMM
x Preface
confusion and misunderstanding, especially in REFERENCES
the implementation of appropriate policies. The
paradigm presented in The Wetlands Handbook Keddy P.A. 2000. Wetland Ecology. Principles
attempts to break down the artifi cial divisions and Conservation. Cambridge University Press,
between the natural science of wetlands and Cambridge, UK.
Maltby E. 1986. Waterlogged Wealth. Earthscan,
the societal criteria for their management. Such
London.
greater coherence is essential in deciding on their
Maltby E. 1988. Wetland resources and future pros-
future; a future capable of harnessing their full,
pects – an international perspective. In: Zelazny J.
but often hidden and ignored, values.
and Feierabend J.S. (editors), Increasing Our Wetland
The editors thank Rosemary Maltby for tire-
Resources. National Wildlife Federation, Washington,
less editorial assistance in the early stages of the DC, pp. 3–14.
project in managing contributors and reviewers. Maltby E., Hogan D.V., Immirzi C.P., Tellam J.H. and
Vicky Cook manipulated manuscripts across dif- van der Peijl M.J. 1994. Building a new approach to
ferent computer networks. the investigation and assessment of wetland eco-
Jos Verhoeven, Dennis Whigham and Mark system functioning. In: Mitsch W.J. (editor), Global
Brinson, together with many unnamed reviewers Wetlands: Old World and New. Elsevier, Amsterdam,
pp. 637–658.
gave their time freely to scrutinise manuscripts
Merriam-Webster 2006. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary
and provide advice.
and Thesaurus. Merriam Webster Inc., Springfi eld
Delia Sandford’s patience and encouragement
MA. ISBN: 0877798516.
made it possible to complete the task of mobilis-
Shaw S.P. and Fredine C.G. 1956. Wetlands of the
ing so many experts. United States. Their Extent and Their Value to
Leendert Pons passed away before being able to Waterfowl and Other Wildlife. US Fish and Wildlife
see the fi nal outcome of his labours. His enthu- Service, Circular 39, 67 pp.
siasm for, and knowledge of, soils will be sadly
missed.
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd SSeecc33::xx 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1177 AAMM
Contributors
Michael C. Acreman Hydro-ecology and Nick P. Branch School of Human and
Wetlands, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environmental Sciences, University of Reading,
Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK Whiteknights, PO Box 227, Reading, RG6 6AB,
UK
Andy J. Baird Room 3.68, School of Geography,
University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 Scott D. Bridgham Center for Ecology and
9JT, UK Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Stud-
ies Program, 5289 University of Oregon, Eugene
Reint Jacob Bakema Freelance Rural Devel- 97403, OR, USA
opment Consultant, PO Box 5767, Kampala,
Uganda Mark M. Brinson Biology Department, East
Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858,
Chris Baker Wetlands and Water Resources USA
Management, Wetlands International Headquar-
ters, Horapark 9, 6717 LZ Ede, The Netherlands Roy Brouwer Department of Environmental
Economics, Institute for Environmental Studies,
Tom Barker Institute for Sustainable Water, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Integrated Management and Ecosystem
Research, Nicholson Building, University of Bernard Clément Unité Mixte de Recherches
Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GP, UK ‘Ecobio’ 6553, Centre National de la Recherche
Scientifi que, Université de Rennes 1, Campus de
Martin S.A. Blackwell Biogeochemistry of Soils Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France
and Water Group, North Wyke Research, Oke-
hampton, Devon, EX20 2SB, UK Hadrian F. Cook School of Geography, Geol-
ogy and the Environment, Kingston University,
Roland Bobbink B-Ware Research Centre, River House, 53-57 High Street, Kingston upon
Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL, Thames, Surrey KT1 1LQ, UK
Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Steve Crooks Phil Williams and Associates
Ursula Bollens Landschaftsarchitekturbüro, asp Ltd, 550 Kearny Street, 9th Floor, San Francisco,
Landschaftsarchitekten AG, Tobeleggweg 19, CA 94108-2404, USA
8049 Zürich, Switzerland
Carolina J. Da Silva Mato Grosso State Univer-
Samuel A.F. Bonnett Institute for Sustainable sity, Cáceres Brazil
Water, Integrated Management and Ecosystem
Research, Nicholson Building, University of Nancy B. Dise Department of Environmental &
Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GP, UK Geographical Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan
University, John Dalton Building, Chester Street,
Chris Bradley School of Geography, Earth and Manchester M1 5GD, UK
Environmental Sciences, University of Birming-
ham, Birmingham, UK
MMaallttbbyy--CC000000..iinndddd SSeecc44::xxii 66//2233//22000099 1100::1122::1177 AAMM