This book gives a broad and well-integrated overview of recent major scientific results in wetland science and their applications in natural resource management. After an introduction into the field, 12 chapters contributed by internationally known experts summarize the state of the art on a multitude of topics. The coverage is divided into three sections: Functioning of Plants and Animals in Wetlands; Conservation and Management of Wetlands; and Wetland Restoration and Creation.

Table of Contents:
1 Introduction: Wetland Functioning in Relation to Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration R. Bobbink, D.F. Whigham, B. Beltman, and J.T.A. Verhoeven Section I: Functioning of Plants and Animals in Wetlands. 2 Plant Survival in Wet Environments: Resilience and Escape Mediated by Shoot Systems M.B. Jackson 2.1 Introduction 2.2 How Excess Water Threatens Plant Life 2.2.1 Excluding and Trapping Effects of Water 2.2.3 The Energy Crisis 2.3 Resilience 2.3.1 Oxygen Shortage 2.3.2 Shortage of Carbon Dioxide 2.4 Escape 2.4.1 Aerobic Shoot Extension (the Aerobic Escape) 2.4.2 Anaerobic Shoot Extension (the Anaerobic Escape) 2.5 Conclusions and Summary References 3 Center Stage: The Crucial Role of Macrophytes in Regulating Trophic Interactions in Shallow Lake Wetlands R.L. Burks, G. Mulderij, E. Gross, I. Jones, L. Jacobsen, E. Jeppesen, and E. van Donk 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Central Position of Aquatic Vegetation 3.2.1 Central Themes: Zooplankton Depend on Macrophytes as Habitats 3.2.2 Central Themes: Chemical Ecology Spans Trophic Levels 3.2.3 Central Themes: Impacts of Grazer--Epiphyton Interactions with Macrophytes 3.2.4 Central Themes: Prevalance of Fish Influence in Shallow Lakes 3.3 In the Wings: Research Areas Worthy of Attention 3.3.1 Predictability of Macrophyte Function in Trophic Interactions Across a Climatic Gradient 3.3.2 Relative Importance of Chemical Ecology Across Trophic Levels 3.3.3 Disproportional Impacts of Certain Invertebrates and Exotic Species 3.4 Returning to Center Stage: Macrophytes are Common Players in Trophic Interactions References 4 Biological Invasions: Concepts to Understand and Predict a Global Threat G. van der Velde, S. Rajagopal, M. Kuyper-Kollenaar, A.bij de Vaate, D.W. Thieltges, and H.J. MacIsaac 4.1 Introduction 4.2 What is a Biological Invasion? 4.3 Impacts of Biological Invasions 4.3.1 Ecological Impacts 4.3.2 Evolutionary Impacts 4.3.3 Economic Impacts 4.3.4 Human Health Impacts 4.3.5 Measuring Impacts 4.4 Examples of Biological Invasions 4.5 Understanding and Predicting Biological Invasions 4.5.1 Invading Species Approach Propagule Pressure 4.5.2 Invaded Ecosystem Approach 4.5.3 Relationship Between Invader and Invaded Ecosystem (Key-Lock Approach) 4.5.4 Invasion Processes Differentiated in Time 4.5.5 Comparative Historical Approach 4.6 Shadows on the Prospects of Prediction 4.7 Conclusion References Section II: Conservation and management of wetlands 5 Wetland Conservation and Management: Questions for Science and Society in Applying the Ecosystem Approach E. Maltby 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Wetlands at the Interface 5.3 Recognising a New Paradigm in Ecosystem Management 5.4 The Ecosystem Approach 5.4.1 Principle 1: The Management of Land, Water and Living Resources is a Question of Societal Choice 5.4.2 Principle 3: Ecosystem Managers Should Consider the Effects of Their Activities on Adjacent and Other Ecosystems; and Principle 7: The Ecosystem Approach Should be Undertaken at the Appropriate Scale 5.4.3 Principle 4: There is a Need to Understand the Ecosystem in an Economic Context 5.4.4 Principle 9: Management must Recognise that Change is Inevitable 5.4.5 Principle 10: The Ecosystem Approach Should Seek the Appropriate Balance Between Conservation and Use of Biological Diversity 5.5 Conclusion References 6 Wetlands in the Tidal Freshwater Zone A. Barendregt, D.F. Whigham, P. Meire, A.H. Baldwin, and S. Van Damme<