ausblenden:
Schlagwörter:
Animals; Classification; Delimitation; Extension; Hydrology; Soils; Vegetation; Wetlands
Zusammenfassung:
Wetlands occur at the interface between permanent terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They can be permanently wet but many of them are also periodically dry. The large variability of hydrological parameters results in a large diversity of wetland types. Their position in ecological theory is discussed. With a coverage of 4–6% of the earth surface, their extent is strongly underestimated. Hydrology, soils, plants and animals in wetlands are described. There is a consensus among scientists that hydrology is the main driver in wetlands, but the classification systems represent a mixture of hydrological, geographic, botanical and other parameters, which make comparative studies and management decisions difficult. The Brazilian wetland classification and delimitation is presented as a hierarchic approach which bases at higher levels on hydrologic parameters that can be used at a worldwide scale. Only at lower levels, plants and other parameters are used, which are of regional and local importance. In this classification, very large and complex wetlands are included, which are not treated in international wetland classification systems, because of their complexity. In the Brazilian approach they are treated as landscape units, but subdivided in different macrohabitats, ranging from permanent terrestrial to permanent aquatic ones. This facilitates specific management and protection measures. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
