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Temporary wetlands: challenges and solutions to conserving a 'disappearing' ecosystem
journal contribution
posted on 2017-07-01, 00:00 authored by A J K Calhoun, D M Mushet, K P Bell, D Boix, James FitzsimonsJames Fitzsimons, F Isselin-NondedeuFrequent drying of ponded water, and support of unique, highly specialized assemblages of often rare species, characterize temporary wetlands, such as vernal pools, gilgais, and prairie potholes. As small aquatic features embedded in a terrestrial landscape, temporary wetlands enhance biodiversity and provide aesthetic, biogeochemical, and hydrologic functions. Challenges to conserving temporary wetlands include the need to: (1) integrate freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity priorities; (2) conserve entire 'pondscapes' defined by connections to other aquatic and terrestrial systems; (3) maintain natural heterogeneity in environmental gradients across and within wetlands, especially gradients in hydroperiod; (4) address economic impact on landowners and developers; (5) act without complete inventories of these wetlands; and (6) work within limited or non-existent regulatory protections. Because temporary wetlands function as integral landscape components, not singly as isolated entities, their cumulative loss is ecologically detrimental yet not currently part of the conservation calculus. We highlight approaches that use strategies for conserving temporary wetlands in increasingly human-dominated landscapes that integrate top-down management and bottom-up collaborative approaches. Diverse conservation activities (including education, inventory, protection, sustainable management, and restoration) that reduce landowner and manager costs while achieving desired ecological objectives will have the greatest probability of success in meeting conservation goals.
History
Journal
Biological conservationVolume
211Issue
Part BPagination
3 - 11Publisher
ElsevierLocation
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsPublisher DOI
ISSN
0006-3207Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2016, ElsevierUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
wetlandsgilgaipondprairie potholesvernal poolsScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineBiodiversity ConservationEcologyEnvironmental SciencesBiodiversity & ConservationEnvironmental Sciences & EcologyCollaborative conservationConnectivityFreshwater ecosystemsPoolscapesSmall aquatic featuresGEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED WETLANDSCRAYFISH PROCAMBARUS-CLARKIIPRAIRIE POTHOLE REGIONCLIMATE-CHANGEPRIVATE LANDSPONDSCONSERVATIONCOMMUNITIES
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