Mission and themes
Mission of the conference
The contribution of wetland sciences to sustainable management of wetland resources
The aim of the conference is to discuss the most recent developments in the wetland sciences and to review this knowledge in the context of wetland protection and sustainable management of wetland resources in a rapidly changing environment.
Situated at the interface between land and water, wetlands are complex ecosystems. They are stressed not only by direct human impacts but also by the impacts of neighbouring terrestrial and deep-water marine and freshwater ecosystems. Wetlands harbour a large variety of wetland-specific species, but also, at least periodically, terrestrial and deep-water species and therefore contribute substantially to the species diversity of the landscape. Furthermore, they play an essential role in the hydrological cycle by increasing the water-retention capacity of the landscape, which provides multiple benefits to humans.
Large wetlands offer living conditions to the local populations, who, in turn, have developed specific management practices for the sustainable use of wetland resources. Due to the large sizes of these regions, they are often shared by different countries. Rivers that provide water to large wetlands may cross the borders of several countries, and the sea links coastal wetlands to waters of international jurisdiction. The rising demand for land and water by the local population increasingly affects the integrity of wetlands. This situation brings about specific problems for wetlands and can be the source of international conflicts.
Wetlands play an important role in the biogeochemical cycles that affect the global climate, functioning, for instance, as carbon sinks but also as methane sources. Predictions about human-induced changes in the global climate include an increase in extreme climate events and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. These changes will strongly impact wetlands, because of their low hydrological buffer capacity.
The Pantanal, one of the largest wetlands of the world, is already the target of many human activities that affect its integrity. Recent world-wide efforts to reduce CO2 emissions through the expanded use of alcohol and bio-diesel fuels raise concern about the impacts on the Pantanal because of an increased demand for arable land and water for irrigation and processing, and the increased release of agrochemicals, waste-water, and sediments arising from erosion. It is shared by Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay and linked to Argentina downriver that will be affected by mayor changes inside the Pantanal. A rising number of hydroelectric power plants will modify the hydrological cycle. The waterway through the Pantanal (hidrovia) is still in discussion and charcoal production threatens the forests inside the area. The 8th INTECOL Wetland Conference in Cuiaba will provide the possibility to use the Pantanal as an example to discuss recent developments in the wetland sciences that can be applied to its protection and sustainable management. We hope that the results of conference will encourage local politicians to transfer scientific knowledge in political actions for the benefit of the Pantanal and stimulate the development of wetland sciences in Latin America.
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
