Threats to waterbirds and wetlands: Implications for conservation, inventory and research

Abstract

The world has undergone major social, economic and demographic changes in the last two centuries. Predictions suggest that during the next 100 years, even greater changes will occur and this will put increasing pressure on wetlands and their biodiversity. This paper examines the changes that have occurred, and the nature of threats facing waterbirds and wetlands as a result of human activities. The need for specific areas of research is identified, particularly in relation to detecting and measuring change and the need to provide solution-oriented research to underpin conservation action.