Wetland ecological character and wise use: Towards a new framing
Author(s)
Kumar, R
McInnes, R
Finlayson, CM
Davidson, N
Rissik, D
Paul, S
Cui, L
Lei, Y
Capon, S
Fennessy, S
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2020
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Ecological character and wise use are central tenets underpinning the Ramsar Convention's global wetland ambitions. In this paper, we postulate that, given on-going and progressive degradation and destruction of wetlands, these concepts require reframing. So as to overcome the human-nature dualism, which underpins current wetland conservation, we propose that wetlands need to be placed within a social-ecological framing that can accommodate a plurality of worldviews and value systems. This reframing broadens the definition of wetland ecological character and replaces it with a more inclusive and comprehensive term 'wetland ...
View more >Ecological character and wise use are central tenets underpinning the Ramsar Convention's global wetland ambitions. In this paper, we postulate that, given on-going and progressive degradation and destruction of wetlands, these concepts require reframing. So as to overcome the human-nature dualism, which underpins current wetland conservation, we propose that wetlands need to be placed within a social-ecological framing that can accommodate a plurality of worldviews and value systems. This reframing broadens the definition of wetland ecological character and replaces it with a more inclusive and comprehensive term 'wetland character'. Wise use, consequently, becomes maintenance of wetland character. Further considerations on maintaining wetland character under this construct are presented.
View less >
View more >Ecological character and wise use are central tenets underpinning the Ramsar Convention's global wetland ambitions. In this paper, we postulate that, given on-going and progressive degradation and destruction of wetlands, these concepts require reframing. So as to overcome the human-nature dualism, which underpins current wetland conservation, we propose that wetlands need to be placed within a social-ecological framing that can accommodate a plurality of worldviews and value systems. This reframing broadens the definition of wetland ecological character and replaces it with a more inclusive and comprehensive term 'wetland character'. Wise use, consequently, becomes maintenance of wetland character. Further considerations on maintaining wetland character under this construct are presented.
View less >
Journal Title
Marine and Freshwater Research
Note
This publication has been entered into Griffith Research Online as an Advanced Online Version.
Subject
Environmental management
Freshwater ecology