TY - GEN
T1 - The Science Not Yet Behind Wetland Policy
T2 - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2014: Water Without Borders
AU - Logan, Lauren H.
AU - Emery, Nancy C.
AU - Stillwell, Ashlynn S.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Wetlands are a critical part of our spatial and temporal landscape, providing distinct ecosystem services. Truly neither land nor water, wetlands are the transitional zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and as such, have a unique place and function within the landscape. Understanding the functions wetlands serve, in societal, ecological, and economic terms, can strengthen wetland policy and increase positive public perceptions to promote more effective wetland conservation in the United States. By reviewing and aggregating current literature and agency reports, we examine the sustainability of national wetland policy and conservation efforts by analyzing connections between hydrology, ecology, and public perception. Such an integrative attitude toward wetland management allowed for the determination that multifactor approaches to wetland delineation and individualized plans for wetland conservation can help support sustainable wetland policy while preventing further wetland loss in the United States. Sustainable wetland policy can also serve to strengthen the functional uses of restored and created wetlands. Identifying the societal, ecological, and economic components of wetlands now and in the future will better enable scientists, policymakers, and the public to perceive and enjoy conservation benefits associated with wetlands. Without an integrated sustainable approach, the United States might continue to lose wetlands, causing harmful effects to large-scale ecosystems and species populations dependent on wetlands.
AB - Wetlands are a critical part of our spatial and temporal landscape, providing distinct ecosystem services. Truly neither land nor water, wetlands are the transitional zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and as such, have a unique place and function within the landscape. Understanding the functions wetlands serve, in societal, ecological, and economic terms, can strengthen wetland policy and increase positive public perceptions to promote more effective wetland conservation in the United States. By reviewing and aggregating current literature and agency reports, we examine the sustainability of national wetland policy and conservation efforts by analyzing connections between hydrology, ecology, and public perception. Such an integrative attitude toward wetland management allowed for the determination that multifactor approaches to wetland delineation and individualized plans for wetland conservation can help support sustainable wetland policy while preventing further wetland loss in the United States. Sustainable wetland policy can also serve to strengthen the functional uses of restored and created wetlands. Identifying the societal, ecological, and economic components of wetlands now and in the future will better enable scientists, policymakers, and the public to perceive and enjoy conservation benefits associated with wetlands. Without an integrated sustainable approach, the United States might continue to lose wetlands, causing harmful effects to large-scale ecosystems and species populations dependent on wetlands.
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U2 - 10.1061/9780784413548.206
DO - 10.1061/9780784413548.206
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84935497745
T3 - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2014: Water Without Borders - Proceedings of the 2014 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress
SP - 2054
EP - 2065
BT - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2014
A2 - Huber, Wayne C.
A2 - Huber, Wayne C.
PB - American Society of Civil Engineers
Y2 - 1 June 2014 through 5 June 2014
ER -