Ireland is famous - or notorious - for its wet and mild climate. Because on average more water precipitates than evaporates, the island is rich in wetlands - marshes, swamps, fens, bogs, lagoons, floodplains and wet meadows, to name but a few. Many place names in Ireland refer to wet places. Words derived from the Irish language are used to refer to a particular type of wetland, such as "callows" for the floodplains of the River Shannon, or "turlough" for a type of ephemeral wetland found almost exclusively in Ireland. This book brings together specialists in wetland science discussing a wide range of topics from an Irish perspective, including the ecology, fauna, vegetation and distribution of various types of wetlands; the use of wetlands for wastewater management; the archaeology of wetlands; and protection and conservation. It is intended for a wide audience of wetland enthusiasts - not just for professionals, but also for those who through their hobbies have a passion for those wet and wild places.

Salt marshes and mangrove forests, the intertidal wetlands of the world's coastlines, provide key ecological services to all areas of the globe. This cutting-edge, richly illustrated book introduces the essential elements of coastal wetlands and their applications. The book opens by introducing coastal oceanography, the physical features of wetlands, their ecology, and human impacts upon them, giving all students the necessary background for wetlands studies. It then presents detailed case studies from around the world with extensive illustrations, supplying a wider, global-scale picture of wetlands geomorphology and biodiversity. The final chapters discuss some unique applications of coastal wetlands, including geological monitoring, uses in biotechnology and agriculture, and various experimental mesocosms. This is ideal as supplementary reading to support students on a wide range of earth and life science courses, from environmental science, ecology and palaeoecology to geomorphology and geography. It will also be a valuable interdisciplinary reference for researchers.

"Fervent and stirring."--David Yarnold, president and CEO, National Audubon Society "Stone's spectacular photography captures the splendor of America's Everglades. His remarkable book is convincing proof that our nation cannot risk losing this unique natural wonder."--Eric Eikenberg, CEO, Everglades Foundation ""Everglades" takes us into the lives of elusive species living far from the boardwalks and tourist trails. With the mind of a scientist, eyes of an artist, and the heart of an adventurer, Stone bears witness to the unrivaled beauty of America's wetland."--Carlton Ward Jr., author of "Florida Cowboys" "What Mac Stone has done in pictures is akin to what Marjory Stoneman Douglas did with words, and our understanding and appreciation of the Everglades has once again been transformed."--John Moran, author of "Journal of Light" "Showcases the natural beauty of the Everglades region and touches upon the critical issues that face resource managers today. It offers a dynamic visual experience and gives a very moving account of this often misunderstood national treasure."--Roger Hammer, author of "A Falcon Guide to Everglades National Park and the Surrounding Area" "Mac Stone's photographs capture the essence of the Everglades, a vast and unique natural area that continues to be threatened by commercial interests."--Jerald Milanich, coauthor of "Enchantments: Julian Dimock's Photographs of Southwest Florida"

From Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay, from inside the bone-crushing jaws of an alligator to the storms that race across the blackwater backcountry, award-winning conservation photographer Mac Stone takes us on a visual journey through the Everglades. More than 200 striking photographs showcase the natural beauty of this unique wetland, capturing the amazing depths of its landscapes, the diversity of its wildlife, and the resilience of the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.
Aerial views highlight the vast expanse of the River of Grass. Underwater images capture the endless wonders of the Everglades, including sharks darting through mangrove roots. Intimate close-ups showcase awe-inspiring flora and fauna such as the ghost orchid, the Florida panther, the endangered Everglades snail kite, roseate spoonbills, and, of course, the majestic American alligator.
As a biologist for the National Audubon Society, Stone traveled to the most remote areas of the Everglades to collect these images. With his camera, he explored Everglades National Park, Corkscrew Swamp, Fisheating Creek, and dozens of sites that few are permitted to visit. His stunning photographs capture the innumerable facets of this ecological marvel while speaking to the importance of wilderness conservation and the need to protect these amazingly wild wetlands.
In a special foreword, Michael Grunwald introduces readers to a short history of the Everglades, from the immense amount of developing and restructuring it has endured to a discussion of the dangers inherent to destroying such an important ecosystem. Grunwald breaks down just how crucial Everglades restoration is, not only for Florida but as a litmus test for other watersheds around the world.
Exclusive essays from the top minds in Everglades conservation appear throughout the book, opening an even wider perspective on Stone's powerful photographs. With its stellar selection of informative writings, together with images that have wowed National Geographic, the BBC, NPR, as well as magazines and newspapers across the globe, "Everglades" provides a rare glimpse at the world's most famous wetland.

Wetlands are a vital natural resource and an integral part of the ecosystem. Yet they are also fraught with contention. Landowners, developers, ecologists, policymakers, and the courts must all navigate a complex landscape that requires knowledge not only of the relevant science of wetlands, but also the relevant policies, procedures, and legal precedents. In Wetlands: An Introduction Theda Braddock and Diane Hennessey guide the reader through this complex maze, presenting the most important information in an accessible way. The book opens with a brand new chapter on wetland jurisdiction and its history in the U.S., before explaining the basic science of wetlands-what they are, how they fit into the complex natural scheme, and the particular function and value of wetlands themselves. Fully updated chapters on wetland classification and the controversial issue of delineation round out the first half of the book. The second half explores the topics of permitting, enforcement, and litigation in detail, offering necessary information and practical guidance for all parties involved in wetlands disputes. This new edition has been extensively revised and updated, and presents the most up-to-date and important information on wetlands and their regulation. This new edition has been extensively revised and includes: *A brand new chapter on jurisdiction *Completely rewritten chapters on wetlands science *Extensive updates within all chapters. *Updated Table of Cases *Updated Bibliography Special features includes: *Comprehensive and up-to-date table of relevant legal cases *Extensive bibliography of sources for further reading *Easy-to-read flowcharts explaining wetland delineation concepts

Riparian zones encompass the stream channel and the adjacent portion of the terrestrial landscape from the high water mark toward the uplands, where vegetation might be influenced by elevated water tables or flooding. In this book, the authors present topical research in the study of the protection, restoration and ecological benefits of riparian zones. Topics discussed in this compilation include fire regimes, sand structure, fuel loads and fire behaviour in riparian forests of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, USA; the ecological and socio-economic stakes for conserving and protecting riparian forests in West Africa; ground water chemistry under riparian zones; and protection of riparian landscapes in Israel.

This series of short volumes, each devoted to a theme, which is the subject of contemporary debate in archaeology, ranges from issues in theory and method to aspects of world archaeology. Wetland archaeology has provided some of the most exciting discoveries in world archaeology, from bog bodies in northern Europe, to prehistoric and medieval wetland dwellings in central and western Europe, New Zealand, Japan and the Pacific Northwest. Arguably, however, the amount of evidence from these sites and the need for intense multidisciplinary scientific analysis, allied to a general tendency towards empiricist research, has led to wetland archaeology being isolated from current theoretical debates. "Rethinking Wetland Archaeology" shows how wetland studies can be contextualised within broader geographical, cultural and theoretical frameworks. It discusses how wetland archaeological discoveries can be understood in terms of past people's perception and understanding of landscape, which was not only a source of economic benefit, but a storehouse of, and a metaphor for, cultural values and beliefs. It argues that archaeologists interested in the temporal rhythms of life, and in cultural biographies of place and objects, should look again at the astonishingly detailed narratives produced by wetland archaeology. Finally, it considers the past and future role of wetland archaeologists in contemporary political and social discourses.

Wetlands, with a variety of physical characteristics, are found throughout the country. They are known in different regions as swamps, marshes, fens, potholes, playa lakes, or bogs. Although these places can differ greatly, they all have distinctive plant and animal assemblages because of the wetness of the soil. Some wetland areas may be continuously inundated by water, while other areas may not be flooded at all. In coastal areas, flooding may occur on a daily basis as tides rise and fall. Functional values, both ecological and economic, at each wetland depend on its location, size, and relationship to adjacent land and water areas. Many of these values have been recognized only recently. Historically, many federal programs encouraged wetlands to be drained or altered because they were seen as having little value as wetlands. Wetlands issues revolve around disparate scientific and programmatic questions, and conflicting views of the role of government where private property is involved. Scientific questions include how to define wetlands, the current rate and pattern of wetland declines and losses, and the importance of these physical changes.

"Wetlands" has become a hot word in the current environmental debate. But what does it signify? In 1991, proposed changes in the legal definities of wetlands stirred controversy and focused attention on the scientific and economic aspects of their management. This volume explores how to define wetlands. The committee?whose members were drawn from academia, government, business, and the environmental community?builds a rational, scientific basis for delineating wetlands in the landscape and offers recommendations for further action. Wetlands also discusses the diverse hydrological and ecological functions of wetlands, and makes recommendations concerning so-called controversial areas such as permafrost wetlands, riparian ecosystems, irregularly flooded sites, and agricultural wetlands. It presents criteria for identifying wetlands and explores the problems of applying those criteria when there are seasonal changes in water levels. This comprehensive and practical volume will be of interest to environmental scientists and advocates, hydrologists, policymakers, regulators, faculty, researchers, and students of environmental studies. Table of Contents FRONT MATTER EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 2 ECOLOGY OF WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS 3 WETLAND DEFINITIONS: HISTORY AND SCIENTIFIC BASIS 4 WETLAND DELINEATION: PAST AND CURRENT PRACTICE 5 WETLAND CHARACTERIZATION: WATER, SUBSTRATE, AND BIOTA 6 ESPECIALLY CONTROVERSIAL WETLANDS 7 REGIONALIZATION 8 MAPS, IMAGES, AND MODELING IN THE ASSESSMENT OF WETLANDS 9 REGULATION OF WETLANDS: ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 10 FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF WETLANDS REFERENCES APPENDIXES INDEX LIST OF PUBLICATIONS