Wetlands of Tropical and Subtropical South and Central America

Comprehensive wetland analysis for conservationists, professionals, and researchers Wetlands of Tropical and Subtropical South and Central America: Biodiversity, Livelihoods and Conservation explores the challenges confronted by those managing wetland ecosystems. It offers expert analyses of specific wetland environments across South and Central America, examining how these ecosystems can be protected while sustaining the livelihoods of communities that depend upon them. This book takes a unique comparative approach by analysing similar wetlands from different regions and continents, allowing best practices in conservation and management to emerge that are globally relevant. Each chapter is authored by recognized regional experts and covers issues like biological resources, ecosystem services including carbon sequestration and water filtration, and implemented conservation measures. Aligned with UN sustainable development goals by considering both ecological and economic value, the collection also offers: Regional expert analysis of biodiversity hotspots across tropical and subtropical South and Central America, from Bolivian lowlands to the Pantanal Comprehensive examination of ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, water filtration, nutrient retention, and flood mitigation Conservation strategies and management practices applicable across global wetland systems Case studies spanning marine and coastal wetlands, Amazonian freshwater systems, and extra-Andean subtropical wetlands Discussions of threats to wetlands as well as in-depth comparisons of wetlands in different regions and continents Wetlands of Tropical and Subtropical South and Central America is essential for ecologists, conservation scientists, hydrologists, and environmental and water resource managers seeking evidence-based approaches to wetland conservation. Public servants and professionals in fisheries, agriculture, and rural development will find practical guidance for balancing biodiversity protection with sustainable resource use.

Chapter 1. Lowland wetlands of Bolivia: Landscapes, conservation and livelihoods Mónica Moraes R., Daniel Larrea-Alcázar, Daniel Villarroel, and José Daniel Soto Chapter 2. Marine and Coastal Wetlands of the Colombian Caribbean S. Millan, J.P. Caicedo-Garcia, C. Montes-Chaura, S. Pardo-Spiess, M. Hernández, D.I. Gomez-Lopez, R. Navas-Camacho, D. Guerrero, S. Herrera-Fajardo, D. Romero, T. Hoyos, A.P. Zamora, and P.C. Sierra-Correa Chapter 3. Wetlands of Ecuador: Biodiversity, Livelihoods and Conservation Fausto López Rodríguez, Sandra Lee Pinel, and James Gruber Chapter 4. Biodiversity, Livelihoods and Conservation in the Matusagaratí Wetland Complex Darién, Panamá - Indra Candanedo Chapter 5. Human Pressure on the Pantanal: A Four-Decade Analysis of Land Cover Changes, Ecological Degradation and Future prospects Ernandes Sobreira, Thiago Ferreira Pereira, Daiana Ferreira Dias, Cleverson Ricardo Soares Viana, Josiane Santos Batista Carioca de Paula, Ana Paula Dalbem Barbosa, Acisa Raimunda de Souza, Tiago da Rocha Pedra, Maísa Consuelo dos Santos, Derick Victor de Souza Campos, Adriano Marcos Romano, Sarian Kosten, Claumir Cesar Muniz, Solange Kimie Ikeda-Castrillon, and Wilkinson Lopes Lázaro Chapter 6. Amazonian Freshwater Wetlands: Biodiversity, Livelihoods and Conservation Florian Wittmann Chapter 7. Wetlands of Mexico José Luis Marín-Muñiz Chapter 8. Review of wetlands in Paraguay, ecological and economic importance Bonifacia Benitez and Oscar Feltes Chapter 9. Subtropical extra-Andean wetlands of Argentina Rubén D. Quintana, Patricia Kandus, Roberto F. Bó, Francisco Firpo Lacoste, Alejandro Giraudo, Zuleica Marchetti, Priscilla Gail Minotti, Leticia Rodríguez and Facundo Schivo