European Geophysical Society's General Assembly, Nice, April 2002 -- call for papers
(posted to the Ramsar Forum, 22 November 2001)
From: Weng Philippe [Weng@exchange.brgm.fr]
Greetings,
For the 4th year, European Geophysical Society includes workshop on wetlands in its General Assembly (april 21-26, 2002 in Nice).
Please find the call for paper for those sessions:
1) HSA7.1: Open session on eco-hydrology
convener: Dr. M. Acreman man@ceh.ac.uk ; Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, United Kingdom Phone: +44-1491-692443 Fax: +44-1491-692424
co-convener: Dr. Ph. Weng; BRGM/ Service Eau, 1039, rue de Pinville 34000 Montpellier; France, Phone: +33-467-157968 Fax: +33-467-157975
"Hydrology is probably the single most important determinant for the establishment and maintenance of specific types of wetlands and wetlands processes...when hydrologic conditions in wetlands change even slightly, the biota may respond with massive changes in species richness and ecosystem productivity" (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1996). However, due to the often complex and site specific relationships between wetlands and their surroundings (surface water, groundwater, rainfall, evapotranspiration, unsaturated zone...) hydrological functioning is one of the least well understood aspects of wetlands.
This workshop invites recent studies of hydrological process within wetlands, which may elucidate the functions at work. In particular, studies that deal with the following subjects are welcome:
- technical aspects of hydrological measurements in wetlands;
- hydrological modelling of wetlands (saturated/unsaturated modelling, relationship with surface water and groundwater...);
- water budgets in wetlands;
- typological approach of hydrological behaviour of wetlands;
- functional analysis methods.
2) HSB4: Wetland management
convener: Dr. Ph. Weng p.weng@brgm.fr BRGM/ Service Eau, 1039, rue de Pinville 34000 Montpellier; France Phone: +33-467-157968 Fax: +33-467-157975
co-convener: Dr. M. Acreman; Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, United Kingdom Phone: +44-1491-692443 Fax: +44-1491-692424
Wetlands are an important part of many landscapes world-wide, embracing a diverse range of habitats including marshes, fens, bogs, wet grasslands, carrs, floodplains, mangroves and mudflats. Interactions of physical, biological and chemical components of a wetland, such as soils, water, plants and animals, enable the wetland to perform many vital functions (water storage, storm protection and flood mitigation, groudwater recharge and discharge, retention of pollutant and sediments...). As a result of ignorance of their value and functions, many wetlands have been destroyed by conversion, drainage, water abstraction or river engineering, such as dam construction. The area of wetlands worldwide has decreased dramatically and wetlands have become threatened environments. However, more recent promotion of the positive aspects of wetlands (including their biodiversity and hydrological functions) by conservation bodies has begun to change attitudes. Many countries have signed the Convention of Wetlands (Ramsar, 1971) and have established national legislation to protect wetlands. This has led to conservation and restoration of some wetlands, whilst degradation continues in other cases.
This symposium focuses on wetland management. In particular, studies are invited that demonstrate restoration or degradation of natural functioning due to human action, either within the wetland itself or within its catchment upstream. Interdisciplinary research project, where collaborative work of ecology, biochemistry, hydrology etc has led to better management are especially encouraged. Decision support systems applied to the management of large area wetlands are also welcome.
Best regards,
Philippe Weng.
Dr. Philippe WENG
BRGM Service EAU / RMD
1039, rue de Pinville
34000 Montpellier, France
tél: 04/67/15/79/68
fax: 04/67/15/79/75
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