湿地价值及其有关问题探讨

当前,全球湿地正处于退化和丧失的威胁之中,其中一个主要原因是对湿地价值认识的不足。通过对湿地价值的来源、基本特征、有关利益群体及不同生态尺度下湿地价值的差异等有关问题的探讨,以期为湿地的保护与管理提供科学依据。

Discussion on the Values of Wetlands and Related Problems

Wetland is transitive areas between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and one of the most productive ecosystems in the earth. Wetlands provide the diverse products and services for human being, namely, the functions, uses and attributes of wetlands, which are the result of interaction among characteristics, structure and processes. Apart from providing such products as fish, wood and wildlife, also wetlands provide many important ecological services, including habitat for species, floods control, drought prevention, water purification and amenities and recreational opportunities etc. . Wetlands is at the same time, ecologically sensitive and adaptive system. Wetlands in the world are under heavy pressure in spite of the increasing recognition of the need to conserve wetlands, which losses and degradation have been continued. One main reason is that wetlands are considered by many people to be of little or no value, or even at times to be of negative value. Wetlands have traditionally been perceived by policy makers as "wastelands" with no value, the pervading image has led to under-valuation of their potential, which, compounded by incentives to convert wetlands to higher value, has often resulted in uncontrolled exploitation, conversion. Lack of awareness of the value of conserved wetlands and their subsequent low priority in decision-making process has resulted in the destruction or substantial modification of wetlands. Incomplete understanding of values of wetlands derives from a fundamental failure of information. The information failure results politicians and the general public insufficiently understand the role and functions of wetlands as well as the indirect consequences of land use, water management, and agricultural pollution. Improvements in understanding the economic value of wetland functions will result in more sustainable use of wetland. As the mentioned above, such problems as source, fundamental characteristic, stakeholders and difference at different ecological level of the values of wetlands be discussed, with a expectation of supplying a scientific basis for the management and protection of wetlands.