Introduction

Wetlands belong to the most threatened ecosystems worldwide, as clearly demonstrated by the tremendous deterioration and loss of small and medium-sized wetlands all over the globe. At the first glance, large wetlands seem to be better protected against human impact by their large extension, and, certainly, they have a greater buffer capacity against many human activities that threaten small wetlands. However, they suffer additional different types of threats because human populations inside the wetlands and mainly in their vast catchments are much larger and their activities more diversified.

Therefore, efficient protection requires complex, long term management plans not only for the wetlands but for the entire catchment areas. The elaboration of such management strategies often require agreements between states or countries. These agreements should include not only a wide range of activities that may affect the wetlands directly and indirectly, such as the use of water and soils, the development of industries and infrastructure, waste treatment and disposal, but also harmonization of environmental legislation for an efficient protection of the biota.

The 8th INTECOL Congress in Cuiabá is a proper forum to call, among other aspects of wetland ecology, special attention to these problems, because the Pantanal and its catchment are shared by three countries (Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay) while two countries (Uruguay and Argentina) participate downstream on the middle and lower Parana/Paraguay River, thus to be affected by any major modifications within the Pantanal upstream.

• Conference history
• Host the 9th Intecol

Organization:

Information:

Centro de Pesquisa do Pantanal
Av. Fernando Correa da Costa,
Campus da UFMT – Bloco CCBSIII
Sala 210/213 – 1º Andar
CEP: 78060-900
Cuiabá - Mato Grosso - Brasil
Tel: +55 65 3615 8285
www.cppantanal.org.br
8thintecol@cppantanal.org.br

Photos: Izan Petterle
www.izanpetterle.com