Eco-Hydrological Functioning of the Biebrza Wetlands: Lessons for the Conservation and Restoration of Deteriorated Wetlands

Abstract

Human activities have led to the loss of a large proportion of biodiversity in riverine wetlands in western Europe (Van Urk 1984; Cirujano et al. 1996). In the second half of the twentieth century, many floodplains, fens, and riparian woodlands were cultivated for agricultural purposes. In addition, the remaining riverine wetlands lost species due to the impact of human activities (Rich and Woodruff 1996; McCollin et al. 2000). Recently, policy has become more focused on conservation of the remaining wetlands and on rehabilitation of disturbed rivers and floodplains (Jongman 1998).The management and rehabilitation of wetlands is difficult without adequate knowledge of the hydrological and ecological processes responsible for the functioning and biodiversity of undisturbed wetlands.