International Workshop on Urban Wetland Ecology and Restoration

Wetlands are essential in providing many ecosystem services to urban areas, including the retention of nutrients and toxic materials that degrade surface and coastal waters, protection of water flows and supplies, and the provision of biodiversity resources to urban populations. Over 50% of the global population lives in urban areas nowadays, and this number is increasing. The increasing urbanization not only accelerates the loss of wetlands and degradation of those that remain, but denies urban areas the many ecological services that wetlands can provide. In recognition of the importance of wetlands, China has established 26 national urban wetland parks and numerous regional urban wetland parks. These parks are centers for ecological research, restoration activities, and environmental education, and are helping to restore ecosystem services to urban areas. However, these urban wetlands face many challenges, as they are affected by many stressors, including altered hydrology, high inflows of nutrients, heavy metals and toxic contaminants, and the influx of exotic species. Wetland restoration and management is needed in these parks, as in all urban wetlands, to promote the highest level of ecological integrity and delivery of ecosystem services possible. Methods of restoring ecological integrity and maximizing ecological services are urgently needed to ensure that urban wetlands and wetland parks provide the maximum benefit to the surrounding urban areas. This workshop is intended to review the status of knowledge about wetland functions in urban areas and to identify research goals for improving the management and restoration of these essential ecosystems.