Tracking global change in ecosystem area: The Wetland Extent Trends index. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dixon, M.J.R.; Loh, J.; Davidson, N.C.; Beltrame, C.; Freeman, R.; Walpole, M.
• Is Part Of: Biological conservation. Volume 193(2016)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Wetland -- Biodiversity -- Indicator -- Ramsar -- Aichi Target -- Ecosystem loss; Conservation of natural resources -- Periodicals; Nature conservation -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 333.9516
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.10.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3207

Abstract

Abstract: We present a method for estimating broad trends in ecosystem area based on incomplete and heterogeneous data, developing a proof-of-concept for the first indicator of change in area of natural wetland, the Wetland Extent Trends (WET) index. We use a variation of the Living Planet Index method, which is used for measuring global trends in wild vertebrate species abundance. The analysis is based on a database containing 1100 wetland extent time-series records and the method identifies and addresses ecological and biogeographic biases in the dataset. Globally, the natural WET index, excluding human-made wetlands, declined by about 30% on average between 1970 and 2008. Declines varied between regions from about 50% in Europe to about 17% in Oceania over the same period. The WET index fills an important gap in the ecosystem coverage of global biodiversity indicators and can track changes related to a number of current international policy objectives. The same method could be applied to other datasets to create indicators for other ecosystems with incomplete global data. Highlights: The WET index is a proof-of-concept indicator of global change in wetland area. Between 1970 and 2008, natural wetlands declined globally on average by about 30%. Natural wetland extent declined across all five Ramsar regions assessed. Coastal wetlands declined globally on average more than inland wetlands.