Detecting, measuring and reversing changes to wetlands

Wetlands around the globe have been altered, degraded or lost through a wide range of human activities. A variety of conservation action have been undertaken in response to these changes, and much of this work aims to ensure: (a) the wise and sustainable use of wetland resources, (b) the maintenance of ecological character at wetland sites, and (c) that there is 'no-net-loss' of wetlands at local, national and international scales. These aims have a number of underlying assumptions about information available to underpin associated conservation action. This paper reviews a number of these assumptions and the associated research needs.