Disclosing the Overlooked Wetlandscape Ecosystem Services

While wetlands are individual ecosystems with permanent or temporary waters, the novel term “wetlandscapes” refers to systems of wetlands that are hydraulic, hydrological, and ecologically coupled.

Although wetland ecosystem services have been investigated for decades, the spatial aggregation of wetlands into wetlandscapes invites their reconsideration.

This is most relevant concerning various types of services, such as food and water security services provided to ecosystems and communities beyond the direct area of influence.

The main objective of DOWES is to resolve the interlinkages between water availability in wetlandscapes, their responses and stressors, and the provision of ecosystem services within and beyond their area of influence through synthesis across multiple wetlandscapes.

Comprised of six well-known institutions across Sweden, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, DOWES will, in five work packages, address the main objective across six iconic wetlandscape ecosystems. DOWES aims to develop metrics and guidelines to track and quantify the provision of wetlandscape ecosystem services.

DOWES will bring a breakthrough in the quantification and assessment of WES, even beyond their direct area of influence, to provide environmental authorities with the tools and know-how to expand the protection, restoration and management of these valuable ecosystems.