**8. References**

230 Ecosystems Biodiversity


It has been argued that wetlands make appreciable contribution to rural livelihoods in terms of direct cash income and contribution to food security (Mkavidanda and Kaswamila, 2001; Munishi and Halima 2004), and many households that live close to wetland ecosystems in Tanzania and elsewhere utilize wetlands in coping strategies during times of drought and food scarcity. Differences in environmental and socio-economic conditions however result into significant variation in patterns of use between one area and another. The significance of wetlands in agricultural production, poverty reduction and contribution to rural livelihoods have variously been emphasized (Mkavidanda and Kaswamila, 2000; Ngailo et al., 2002; Munishi and Kilungu 2004). The wide range of economic benefits accrued from wetland ecosystems in Tanzania have been iterated (MNRT 2007). It is argued that often overlooked, unappreciated, taken for granted and therefore unmanaged the ecosystem services provided by wetlands in Tanzania include hydro-power production in which 95% of the hydropower production is from wetland related flows. Further 95% of domestic, irrigation, industrial and livestock water is from wetlands, 80% of traditional irrigation schemes depend on wetlands, 95% of rice and vegetable production depends on wetlands, about 850,000 ha of wetlands have potential for future irrigation, 95% of wildlife and wildlife corridors/game migration routes depend on wetlands, 66% of rural animal protein is derived from livestock grazing, game meat or fisheries, 95% of the 25 million livestock is maintained through dry season pastoralism in wetlands, 95% of coastal and wildlife tourism depends wetlands and 33% of the country's GDP depends on wildlife and wetland tourism. Other studies have shown that cultivation of paddy rice in wetlands of Bahi Tanzania contributed significantly to household food security generating 65.4% of total household food crop production compared to other crops grown in drier areas adjacent to the swamp (Rweyemamu, 2009, Munishi et al, – in press). Fishing in this case played a substantial contribution to household food security through household consumption of 10% of fish caught. For household income, sales of paddy rice from the swamp contributed 59.6% while fish sales contributed 36% of the total annual household income. Multiplier activities emerging during fishing season facilitate income to a wider group of communities and on average, 56.2% of the population depend on the swamp for daily socio-economic activities associated with generation of household food and income. The Bahi swamp and related products therefore play a significant role in enhancing local livelihoods for the adjacent communities. Planning for wise use of the swamp in respect of the dominant socioeconomic

impairing the ecological integrity of the wetland ecosystems.

activities was seen as a means to improve its contribution to livelihoods.

Given the direct benefits of Valleybottom wetlands and potential contribution to livelihoods the livelihood potential may override the biodiversity values of these Valleybottom wetlands. If left unattended it is likely that the wetlands will be degraded thus loosing their biodiversity values. The dual value of valley bottom wetlands (biodiversity and household economy) makes them unique habitats requiring an integrated approach to ensure

achievement of both without impairing the ecological integrity of these wetlands.

**6. Conclusions** 


http://botanika.bf.jcu.cz/suspa /ohrazeni/


**1. Introduction** 

Sites of International Importance.

**11** 

 *India* 

**Ecological Studies of Wetland** 

 **Ecosystem in Manipur Valley** 

S.C. Rai and Adon Raleng *Department of Geography Delhi School of Economics University of Delhi, Delhi* 

**from Management Perspectives** 

Wetlands are complex ecosystems often occupying the interface between land and water. Wetlands function as part of the landscape with or without the presence of humans. They have value because many of their functions have proved to be useful to humans but are at the same time ecologically sensitive and adaptive systems. The increasing demand and pressures on wetlands without understanding their nature and dynamics have often led to their degradation, thereby threatening livelihood of the communities' dependent upon these resources. The world's freshwater lakes of today are vanishing at a much faster rate than they used to be a century ago. In some cases, even the area is lost (Raleng, 2010). Current emphasis on wetland management has two objectives: firstly to conserve biotic diversity and secondly to maximize economic gains. This explains why in recent years much attention has been directed towards the formulation and operation of sustainable management strategies for wetlands1. Wetlands comprise lakes, rivers, marshes, bogs and similar areas and they are generally regarded as areas of land that remain waterlogged for a substantial period of the year. Wetlands fulfill a wide range of essential functions include flood proofing, natural sewage treatment, shoreline anchoring and dissipation of erosive forces, sediment trapping, nutrient retention and removal and recharging of aquifers. In addition, many food chains depend upon wetland productivity and form important habitats for fisheries and wildlife. Wetlands are important for maintaining

1 Wetlands are the only single group of ecosystems to have their own international convention. The call for wetland protection gained momentum in the 1960s, primarily because of their importance as habitat for migratory species. A series of conferences and technical meetings culminated in the "Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat" (better known as the Ramsar Convention) which came into force in 1975. In 1985 there were 38 signatories, in 1991 this increased to 60, and by 1993 the total number was 75 countries (Dugan, 1993). Currently 153 nations have joined the Ramsar Convention as Contracting Parties and more than1600 wetland sites around the world covering 145 million hectares; have been designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention Secretariat, 2006). India has designated 25 wetland sites as Ramsar

