Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
wetland ecologies and human systems while
acknowledging that sustainable management
strategies ought to balance the needs of both.
It also recognizes the essential role played by
humans in arbitrating wetland resource use and
allocation.
Socio-cultural, economic and political condi-
tions and constraints mediate the use of wetlands
and their management globally. Understanding
these underlying conditions and building appro-
priate and responsive institutional frameworks
are vital to ensuring the sustainability of wetland
ecosystems (Ostrom 1990; Bromley 1991). An
institutional analysis of wetland systems focuses
attention on building and supporting clearly
established formal resource rights regimes that
may promote the sustainable use of wetlands.
Such resource regimes detail wetland resource
rights, access and rules of use, and elaborate
on monitoring and enforcement methods to
guard against resource misuse. Globally, natural
resources are governed by essentially four
broadly dei ned property rights regimes (Hanna,
Folke, and Maler 1995, p. 17):
demands are high. Individual users lack any
incentives to adopt sustainable resource-use
practices as there are few assurances that
others would not act in their own self
interest.
Yet, merely enforcing appropriate property
regimes may not be sufi cient to use wetlands
sustainably. Countries across the globe imple-
ment wetland conservation and management
policies. Regulatory approaches emphasize
laws, enforcement mechanisms and penalties
to promote wise use and temper and balance
development objectives with ecosystem health.
In other cases, countries implement incentives
and disincentives to encourage or discourage
wetland management activities.
Alongside conservation policies, a balanced
valuation of wetland resources outlines the eco-
nomic advantages accrued, but also includes
quantii able ecological, social, and cultural
benei ts provided by wetlands. Wetland manage-
ment from an integrated systems perspective
could ensure that the multifaceted nature of
wetland ecosystems and their complex interac-
tions are accounted for. Such plans are designed
to rel ect locally specii c conditions, incorporate
the views and knowledge of a broad range of
stakeholders, and are mindful of the essential
role these resources play in providing liveli-
hoods for dependent communities (Ramsar Con-
vention Secretariat 2007a).
• Private property systems identify individuals
or corporate entities as owners that control
access to resources and enjoy the benei ts of
such rights by excluding non-owners. Even
though individual rights are paramount,
the use of resources under such systems is
subject to constraints set by society.
• State or public property systems provide
rights of management and use to federal,
state and local governments. As steward,
the state manages a resource by generally
attempting to balance ecosystem and soci-
etal needs.
• Common property systems include resources
that are held collectively by a group of
people. Similar to private property, members
of such groups may exclude use by non-
members and reserve rights of access.
• Open access systems are those lacking
established resource rights or rules govern-
ing their use and observe virtually no moni-
toring of misuse. The overuse and destruction
of resources may often occur under such
circumstances, particularly when resource
2.8 Summary
Among more than 50 dei nitions for wetlands,
the broadly inclusive statement of Ramsar is
considered most applicable around the world. It
embraces all types of marsh, fen, peatland or
water bodies, natural or artii cial, permanent or
temporary, in which water depth (at low tide)
does not exceed 6 m (20 feet). Water, soil, and
vegetation form the triad for modern wetland
science. Water is either at the surface or just
beneath the surface, so the plant root zone is
saturated during all or part of the growing
season. Hydric soil is waterlogged, such that
anaerobic bacteria thrive and reducing chemical
