A cost-efficient site-selection model for European wetland restoration

In this study, we concentrate on the area potentials to preserve, restore or create freshwater wetland ecosystems in the European Union in consideration of economic and bio-geophysical aspects. Expansion of settlements, agricultural areas and bioenergy plantations at the expense of wetlands and its corresponding fragmentation constitute a great challenge to nature conservation. Therefore, the understanding of how spatial patterns influence ecological processes at land use scale level as become an important factor in landscape management (EHRLICH 2007). Even though wetlands constitute valuable ecological resources, the number and size of wetlands in Europe has dramatically decreased over the last century. Main areas of wetland conversion include agriculture, forestry, peat extraction on fens and bogs, as well as urbanization and infrastructure measures (JOOSTEN & CLARKE 2002). Fens and floodplain forests have been opened up culturally since the early Middle Ages, but their major decrease has happened during the last few decades of the 20th century (RAMSAR COMMISSION), when private profit maximizing land use decisions resulted in drainage of wetlands and degradation. The diverse utilization demands lead to direct biotope loss and habitat fragmentation of the remaining wetlands in Europe. In spite of important progress made in recent decades, wetlands continue to be among the world’s most threatened ecosystems, owing mainly to ongoing drainage, conversion, pollution, and over-exploitation of their resources.