Wetlands and Wetland Conservation

Author: Li Yangfan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Wetlands, forests, and oceans are ranked as the three major ecosystem types globally. They are unique ecosystems formed by the interaction of water and land, characterized by seasonal or perennial waterlogging, the production or habitation of water-loving animals, and other fundamental features. Wetlands are one of the most biodiverse ecological landscapes in nature and one of the most important survival environments for humans. Wetlands can be considered natural reservoirs on land. They not only provide humans with abundant water resources but also play a crucial role in flood control and drought prevention, climate regulation, soil erosion control, sedimentation and land formation, and pollution degradation. Therefore, wetlands are vividly referred to as the "liver of the Earth." The ecological structure of wetlands is unique, especially as important habitats for rare waterfowl. Thus, wetlands are also called genetic reservoirs for species and tranquil paradises for waterfowl. Moreover, wetlands have extremely high productivity, providing humans with substantial food, meat, energy, as well as various industrial raw materials and tourism resources. However, it is the improper development and misuse of this last function that threatens the survival of wetlands themselves and inevitably affects the fulfillment of other functions. This book is one of the series on environmental protection knowledge. Its compilation and publication aim to implement Comrade Jiang Zemin's spirit of "targeted wetland conservation education and publicity," helping environmental protection workers and the general public understand and protect wetlands. At the same time, it can also serve as a reference for researchers and educators working on wetlands.