A conceptual model to understand the drivers of change in tropical wetlands: a comparative assessment in India and Brazil
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Date
2020-05-21
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Publisher
Biota Neotropica
Abstract
Tropical wetlands are amongst the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth and have immense socio ecological value. However, tropical wetlands are considered exploitable resources and continue to be drained and
converted to other “productive” uses. It is therefore urgent to identify and understand the interactions between
various drivers of change triggering degradation of such wetlands. In the present study, we systematically reviewed
and analyzed the existing literature on wetlands in two tropical countries namely India and Brazil with special
reference to inland wetlands, and proposed a conceptual model illustrating the intricate linkages of such wetlands
with different drivers of change. We also developed the Nature Futures’ Framework to depict the diverse values of
inland wetlands contributing to human wellbeing in the two tropical countries. Findings revealed similar drivers
of change triggering the degradation of Indian and Brazilian wetlands. These include changes in climate & land
use, population growth, poor land governance due to weak policies, besides other anthropogenic activities such
as deforestation, and overexploitation of wetland resources. Among these, land-use change such as agriculture
intensification and infrastructure development were the major direct drivers; whereas, institutional and governance
factors such as the absence of concrete policy measures were the major indirect drivers threatening the inland
wetlands in India and Brazil. Results also revealed some contrasting drivers of change such as illegal human
settlements, and land grabbing by the brick industry for Indian wetlands; while, gold mining and intensification of
bovine systems for Brazilian wetlands. Our paper also provides an insight into the status of wetland conservation
in India and Brazil. We recommend the promotion of community-based conservation practices while adopting
sustainable livelihood strategies by the local people for the conservation and wise use of inland wetlands in India
and Brazil. The arguments raised in the paper have the potential to assist the stakeholders and/or decision-makers
towards implementing sustainable management strategies for inland wetlands in the two countries, and tropical
wetlands in general.
Description
Keywords
Conceptual model, ecosystem services, sustainable management, wetland conservation, inland wetlands, nature futures’ framework, nature’s contribution to people
Citation
Sakar P., Salami M.F. Githiora Y., Navarro A., Clavijo D., Padgurschi M, Vieira R. (2020): A Conceptual Model to Understand the Drivers of Change in Tropical Wetlands: A Comparative Assessment in India and Brazil. Biota Neotropica, 20(suppl. 1): e20190913:1-14 Published by Instituto Virtual da Biodiversidade/ BIOTA- FAPESP, a Q2 rated journal by Scimago. Available online: https://www.scielo.br/pdf/bn/v20s1/1676-0611-bn-20-s1-e20190913.pdf