Ten key issues from the Global Wetland Outlook for decision makers
C. Max Finlayson
A B C E and Royal C. Gardner 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.
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