Wetland ecosystem services

Abstract

Wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide are hugely valuable to people worldwide in many ways: For livelihood, for their biodiversity and existence values and for their economic benefits. Yet many of these services, such as the recharge of groundwater, water purification or cultural values are not immediately obvious when one looks at a wetland and most are public services that are not traded in conventional markets. This chapter gives a brief introduction into the concept of wetlands ecosystems services and their values.