Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > MF > MF20079
REVIEW
Contents Vol 72(3)

Ten key issues from the Global Wetland Outlook for decision makers

C. Max Finlayson https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9991-7289 A B C E and Royal C. Gardner https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2448-6300 A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute for Land, Water & Society, Charles Sturt University, Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, PO Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.

B IHE Delft, Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, PO Box 3015, NL-2601 DA, Delft, Netherlands.

C School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, High Street, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.

D Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, Stetson University, Gulfport, FL 33707, USA.

E Corresponding author. Email: mfinlayson@csu.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research - https://doi.org/10.1071/MF20079
Submitted: 18 March 2020  Accepted: 5 July 2020   Published online: 31 July 2020

Abstract

We summarise the main findings of the Global Wetland Outlook (2018) about the status of wetlands, including their biota and ecosystem services, the drivers of change in wetlands, and the responses being adopted by the Ramsar Convention. The Outlook, which is the Ramsar Convention’s flagship publication, generally paints a bleak picture of wetland status. On the basis of these findings, we identify 10 key issues for decision makers to consider and recommend actions to implement so as to reverse the overall downward trends for wetlands. A switch from documenting the change in wetland biodiversity towards more emphasis on taking decisions is needed to implement effective responses and reverse the negative trends for wetlands. Although further data are needed, we contend that failure to place greater emphasis on effective responses could lead to the Convention becoming an irrelevant force for the wise use of wetlands.

Additional keywords: drivers of change, Ramsar Convention, responses, wetland status and trends.


References

Alexander, S., and McInnes, R. (2012). ‘The benefits of wetland restoration. Ramsar Scientific and Technical Briefing Note No. 4.’ (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.)

An, S., and Finlayson, C. M. (2018). Preface: wetland research in China. Marine and Freshwater Research 69, i–iii.
| Preface: wetland research in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Arthington, A. H., Finlayson, C. M., and Pittock, J. (2018). Freshwater ecological principles. In ‘Freshwater Ecosystems in Protected Areas: Conservation and Management’. (Eds C. M. Finlayson, A. H. Arthington, and J. Pittock.) pp. 34–53. (Taylor and Francis: Oxford, UK.)

Darrah, S. E., Shennan-Farpón, Y., Loh, J., Davidson, N. C., Finlayson, C. M., Gardner, R. C., and Walpole, M. J. (2019). Improvements to the wetland extent trends (WET) index as a tool for monitoring natural and human-made wetlands. Ecological Indicators 99, 294–298.
| Improvements to the wetland extent trends (WET) index as a tool for monitoring natural and human-made wetlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Davidson, N. C., and Finlayson, C. M. (2018). Extent, regional distribution and changes in area of different classes of wetland. Marine and Freshwater Research 69, 1525–1533.
| Extent, regional distribution and changes in area of different classes of wetland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Davidson, N. C., and Finlayson, C. M. (2019). Updating global coastal wetland areas presented in Davidson & Finlayson (2018). Marine and Freshwater Research 70, 1195–1200.
| Updating global coastal wetland areas presented in Davidson & Finlayson (2018).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Davidson, N. C., Fluet-Chouinard, E., and Finlayson, C. M. (2018). Global extent and distribution of wetlands: trends and issues. Marine and Freshwater Research 69, 620–627.
| Global extent and distribution of wetlands: trends and issues.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Davidson, N. C., van Dam, A. A., Finlayson, C. M., and McInnes, R. J. (2019). Worth of wetlands: revised global monetary values of coastal and inland wetland ecosystem services. Marine and Freshwater Research 70, 1189–1194.
| Worth of wetlands: revised global monetary values of coastal and inland wetland ecosystem services.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Davidson, N. C., Dinesen, L., Fennessy, S., Finlayson, C. M., Grillas, P., Grobicki, A., McInnes, R. J., and Stroud, D. A. (2020). Trends in the ecological character status of wetlands reported to the Ramsar Convention. Marine and Freshwater Research 71, 127–138.
| Trends in the ecological character status of wetlands reported to the Ramsar Convention.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

de Coninck, H., Revi, A., Babiker, M., Bertoldi, P., Buckeridge, M., Cartwright, A., Dong, W., Ford, J., Fuss, S., Hourcade, J.-C., Ley, D., Mechler, R., Newman, P., Revokatova, A., Schultz, S., Steg, L., and Sugiyama, T. (2018). Strengthening and implementing the global response supplementary material. In ‘Global Warming of 1.5°C’. An IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. Available at: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15 [verified 17 July 2020].

Finlayson, C. M. (2012). Forty years of wetland conservation and wise use. Aquatic Conservation 22, 139–143.
| Forty years of wetland conservation and wise use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Finlayson, C. M. (2018). Ramsar Convention typology of wetlands. In ‘The Wetland Book I: Structure and Function, Management and Methods’. (Eds C. M. Finlayson, M. Everard, K. Irvine, R. J. McInnes, B. A. Middleton, A. A. van Dam, and N. C. Davidson.) pp. 1529–1532. (Springer Publishers: Dordrecht, Netherlands.) 10.1007/978-94-007-6172-8_339-1

Finlayson, C. M., and Davidson, N. C. (2018). ‘Global Wetland Outlook: Technical Note on Status and Trends.’ (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.)

Finlayson, C. M., Davidson, N. C., Spiers, A. G., and Stevenson, N. J. (1999). Global wetland inventory: status and priorities. Marine and Freshwater Research 50, 717–727.
| Global wetland inventory: status and priorities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Finlayson, C. M., Davidson, N. C., Pritchard, D., Milton, G. R., and MacKay, H. (2011). The Ramsar Convention and ecosystem-based approaches to the wise use and sustainable development of wetlands. Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy 14, 176–198.
| The Ramsar Convention and ecosystem-based approaches to the wise use and sustainable development of wetlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Finlayson, C. M., Capon, S. J., Rissik, D., Pittock, J., Fisk, G., Davidson, N. C., Bodmin, K. A., Papas, P., Robertson, H. A., Schallenberg, M., Saintilan, N., Edyvane, K., and Bino, G. (2017). Policy considerations for managing wetlands under a changing climate. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1803–1815.
| Policy considerations for managing wetlands under a changing climate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Finlayson, C. M., Davies, G. T., Moomaw, W. R., Chmura, G. L., Natali, S. M., Perry, J. E., Roulet, N., and Sutton-Grier, A. E. (2019). The second warning to humanity: providing a context for wetland management and policy. Wetlands 39, 1–5.
| The second warning to humanity: providing a context for wetland management and policy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gardner, R. C., and Finlayson, C. M. (Lead authors) (2018). ‘Global Wetland Outlook; State of the World’s Wetlands and their Ecosystem Services.’ (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.)

Gardner, R. C., Barchiesi, S., Beltrame, C., Finlayson, C. M., Galewski, T., Harrison, I., Paganini, M., Perennou, C., Pritchard, D. E., Rosenqvist, A., and Walpole, M. (2015). ‘State of the World’s Wetlands and their Services to People: a Compilation of Recent Analyses. Ramsar Briefing Note No. 7.’ (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.)

Gardner, R. C., Finlayson, C. M., and Okuno, E. (2018a). ‘Global Wetland Outlook: Technical Note to Introduction.’ (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.)

Gardner, R. C., Finlayson, C. M., Kumar, R., Okuno, E., and Stroud, D. (2018b). ‘Global Wetland Outlook: Technical Note on Responses.’ (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.)

Gardner, R. C., Jones, T. A., Pritchard, D. E., Okuno, E., Stroud, D. A., Landenbergue, D., Finlayson, C. M., Dinesen, L., Martinez Ríos del Río, L., and Infante Mata, D. (2018c). ‘Ramsar Advisory Missions: Technical Advice on Ramsar Sites. Ramsar Briefing Note No. 8.’ (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.)

Gell, P. A., Finlayson, C. M., and Davidson, N. C. (2016). Understanding change in the ecological character of Ramsar wetlands: perspectives from a deeper time – synthesis. Marine and Freshwater Research 67, 869–879.
| Understanding change in the ecological character of Ramsar wetlands: perspectives from a deeper time – synthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hollis, T., Papayannis, T., Crivelli, A., Moser, M., and Finlayson, M. (Collators/Eds) (1992). ‘A Strategy to Stop and Reverse Wetland Loss and Degradation in the Mediterranean Basin.’ (Regione Autonoma Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Udine, Italy; and IWRB: Slimbridge, UK.)

IISD (2018). Summary of the thirteenth meeting of the conference of the parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: 22–29 October 2018. Earth Negotiations Bulletin 17, 1–23.

IPBES (2019). ‘Summary for Policymakers of the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.’ (IPBES Secretariat: Bonn, Germany.)

Kopf, R. K., Finlayson, C. M., Humphries, P., Sims, N. C., and Hladyz, S. (2015). Anthropocene baselines: assessing change and managing biodiversity in human-dominated aquatic ecosystems. Bioscience 65, 798–811.
| Anthropocene baselines: assessing change and managing biodiversity in human-dominated aquatic ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

MacKay, H., Finlayson, C. M., Fernandez-Prieto, D., Davidson, N., Pritchard, D., and Rebelo, L.-M. (2009). The role of earth observation (EO) technologies in supporting implementation of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 90, 2234–2242.

Matthews, J. H., Dalton, J., Matthews, N., Baigun, C., Carmody, E., Finlayson, C. M., Madgwick, J., Mamba, M., Petrie, B., Pittock, J., Kumar, R., Liu, J., Rilla, F., Smith, S., Vigerstol, K., and Vörosmarty, C. (2019). Dam development: value both wetlands and hydropower. Nature 568, 33.
| Dam development: value both wetlands and hydropower.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30940968PubMed |

McInnes, R. M., Davidson, N. C., Rostron, C., Simpson, M., and Finlayson, C. M. (2020). A citizen-science state of the world’s wetlands survey. Wetlands , .
| A citizen-science state of the world’s wetlands survey.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). Ecosystems and human well-being: wetlands and water synthesis. World Resources Institute, Washington, DC, USA. Available at: http://www.millenniumassessment.org/documents/document.358.aspx.pdf [verified 17 July 2020].

Milton, G. R., and Finlayson, C. M. (2018). Freshwater ecosystem types and extents. In ‘Freshwater Ecosystems in Protected Areas: Conservation and Management’. (Eds C. M. Finlayson, A. H. Arthington, and J. Pittock.) pp. 17–33. (Taylor and Francis: Oxford, UK.)

Mollins, J. (2019). Peatland potential untapped in Nationally Determined Contributions, COP25 delegates say. Forest News. (Center for International Forestry Research). Available at: https://forestsnews.cifor.org/63274/peatland-potential-untapped-in-nationally-determined-contributions-cop25-delegates-say?fnl=en [verified 17 July 2020].

Moomaw, W. R., Chmura, G. L., Davies, G. T., Finlayson, C. M., Middleton, B. A., Perry, J. E., Roulet, N., and Sutton-Grier, A. E. (2018). The relationship between wetlands and a changing climate: science, policy and management. Wetlands 38, 183–205.
| The relationship between wetlands and a changing climate: science, policy and management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nahlik, A. W., and Fennessy, M. S. (2016). Carbon storage in US wetlands. Nature Communications 7, art. 13835.
| Carbon storage in US wetlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ramsar Convention (2012). Resolution XI.9: an integrated framework and guidelines for avoiding, mitigating and compensating for wetland losses. (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.) Available at: https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/cop11-res09-e.pdf [verified 20 December 2019].

Ramsar Convention (2015a). Resolution XII.2: the Ramsar strategic plan 2016–2024. (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.) Available at: https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/cop12_res02_strategic_plan_e_0.pdf [verified 20 December 2019].

Ramsar Convention (2015b). Resolution XII.5: new framework for delivery of scientific and technical advice and guidance on the Convention. (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.) Available at: https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/cop12_res05_new_strp_e_0.pdf [verified 20 December 2019].

Ramsar Convention (2018). Resolution XIII.8: future implementation of scientific and technical aspects of the Convention for 2019–2021. (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.) Available at: https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/xiii.8_strp_priorities_20192021_e.pdf [verified 20 December 2019].

Ramsar Convention (2019). Report and decisions of the 57th meeting of the standing committee. Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland. Available at: https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/sc57_report_decisions_e.pdf [verified 20 December 2019].

Rebelo, L.-M., Finlayson, C. M., Strauch, A., Rosenqvist, A., Perennou, C., Tøttrup, C., Hilarides, L., Paganini, M., Wielaard, N., Siegert, F., Ballhorn, U., Navratil, P., Franke, J., and Davidson, N. (2018). The use of earth observation for wetland inventory, assessment and monitoring: an information source for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Ramsar technical report No. 10. Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland.

Tickner, D., Opperman, J., Abell, R., Acreman, M., Arthington, A. H., Bunn, S. E., Cooke, S. J., Dalton, J., Darwall, W., Edwards, G., Harrison, I., Hughes, K., Jones, T., Leclère, D., Lynch, A. J., Leonard, P., McClain, M. E., Muruven, D., Olden, J. D., Ormerod, S., Tharme, R. E., Thieme, M., Tockner, K., Wright, M., and Young, L. (2019). Bending the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss: an emergency recovery plan. Bioscience 70, 330–342.
| Bending the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss: an emergency recovery plan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

van Dam, A. A. (2018). ‘Global Wetland Outlook: Technical Note to the Drivers of Change Chapter.’ (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.)

Zedler, J. B. (2007). Success: an unclear, subjective descriptor of restoration outcomes. Ecological Restoration 25, 162–168.
| Success: an unclear, subjective descriptor of restoration outcomes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |