University of Kiel, Ecology Centre, Msc Environmental Science, a seminar paper
Status: in working
 

WETLANDS AND FRESH WATER ECOSYTEMS – WITH LAKE MARYOUT AS A CASE STUDY

Kondwani Chiwina and Hani Helmi Awad Abou Sheishaa
ernestchiwina@yahoo.com 

Belong to the most productive ecosystems in nature. They support a wide variety of species, which depend on them as sources of food and for breeding. They also offer a wide range of ecosystem services that include among others; water supply (about 1.5 – 2 billion people world wide depend on inland wetlands as their source of fresh water), climate regulation, recreation and tourism, water purification, cultural services and flood protection. They are a carbon sink and also offer a platform for academic research. However from the last millennia, there has been increased wetland drainage in Europe, America, Asia and even Africa. Increased numbers of people World wide have settled at the coast. Nearly 50 % of World’s major cities are located within 50 – 60 km from the coastline, and it is estimated that about 70% of the Worlds population lives on, or near the coastline. This rapid population growth in coastal areas, result into higher demand for resources and lead to consequent damage to both inland and coastal wetlands. These resources include food, raw materials and energy. All this put pressure on the ecosystem’s ability to maintain itself. But a million dollar questions are; “How can humans sustainably use these ecosystems to achieve inter-generation equity despite the current population trends?” “How can we halt wetland loss and restore those already affected?” To address these questions, this paper tries to identify the main drivers of change and their impacts on Wetlands and Fresh water ecosystems. It highlights the status quo and trends in these ecosystems, and tries to provide future scenarios as projected by the Millennium ecosystem assessment. It also addresses the link between climate change and wetland loss and degradation in a cause – effect approach.

The question of sustainability is multifaceted and therefore requires multi-sector approach. In most cases Environmental friendly decisions involves major tradeoffs. Today, we are faced with the question of how to feed ever growing human population without negatively impacting the environment. Therefore in this paper we try to provide solutions that will best optimise use of resources and environmental care.

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