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Extensive global wetland loss over the past three centuries

Author

Listed:
  • Etienne Fluet-Chouinard

    (Stanford University
    University of Wisconsin-Madison
    ETH Zurich)

  • Benjamin D. Stocker

    (ETH Zurich
    Snow and Landscape Research WSL
    University of Bern
    University of Bern)

  • Zhen Zhang

    (University of Maryland)

  • Avni Malhotra

    (Stanford University)

  • Joe R. Melton

    (Environment and Climate Change Canada)

  • Benjamin Poulter

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Biospheric Sciences Laboratory)

  • Jed O. Kaplan

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Kees Klein Goldewijk

    (Utrecht University)

  • Stefan Siebert

    (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
    University of Göttingen)

  • Tatiana Minayeva

    (Care for Ecosystems)

  • Gustaf Hugelius

    (Stanford University
    Stockholm University
    Stockholm University)

  • Hans Joosten

    (University of Greifswald
    Greifswald Mire Centre)

  • Alexandra Barthelmes

    (University of Greifswald
    Greifswald Mire Centre)

  • Catherine Prigent

    (Sorbonne Université, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, LERMA
    Estellus)

  • Filipe Aires

    (Sorbonne Université, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, LERMA
    Estellus)

  • Alison M. Hoyt

    (Stanford University)

  • Nick Davidson

    (Nick Davidson Environmental, Queens House
    Charles Sturt University, Elizabeth Mitchell Drive)

  • C. Max Finlayson

    (Charles Sturt University, Elizabeth Mitchell Drive
    IHE Delft, Institute for Water Education)

  • Bernhard Lehner

    (McGill University)

  • Robert B. Jackson

    (Stanford University
    Stanford University)

  • Peter B. McIntyre

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Cornell University)

Abstract

Wetlands have long been drained for human use, thereby strongly affecting greenhouse gas fluxes, flood control, nutrient cycling and biodiversity1,2. Nevertheless, the global extent of natural wetland loss remains remarkably uncertain3. Here, we reconstruct the spatial distribution and timing of wetland loss through conversion to seven human land uses between 1700 and 2020, by combining national and subnational records of drainage and conversion with land-use maps and simulated wetland extents. We estimate that 3.4 million km2 (confidence interval 2.9–3.8) of inland wetlands have been lost since 1700, primarily for conversion to croplands. This net loss of 21% (confidence interval 16–23%) of global wetland area is lower than that suggested previously by extrapolations of data disproportionately from high-loss regions. Wetland loss has been concentrated in Europe, the United States and China, and rapidly expanded during the mid-twentieth century. Our reconstruction elucidates the timing and land-use drivers of global wetland losses, providing an improved historical baseline to guide assessment of wetland loss impact on Earth system processes, conservation planning to protect remaining wetlands and prioritization of sites for wetland restoration4.

Suggested Citation

  • Etienne Fluet-Chouinard & Benjamin D. Stocker & Zhen Zhang & Avni Malhotra & Joe R. Melton & Benjamin Poulter & Jed O. Kaplan & Kees Klein Goldewijk & Stefan Siebert & Tatiana Minayeva & Gustaf Hugeli, 2023. "Extensive global wetland loss over the past three centuries," Nature, Nature, vol. 614(7947), pages 281-286, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:614:y:2023:i:7947:d:10.1038_s41586-022-05572-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05572-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Anthony J. Stewart & Meghan Halabisky & Chad Babcock & David E. Butman & David V. D’Amore & L. Monika Moskal, 2024. "Revealing the hidden carbon in forested wetland soils," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Wenhang Su & Hailong Wang & Liming Gao, 2024. "Characterizing Shifts in Major Land Use Types and the Response of Water Yield in a Catchment with Widespread Peaty Wetlands," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 38(15), pages 6121-6138, December.
    3. Jian Zhang & Yao Qin & Yuxuan Zhang & Xin Lu & Jianjun Cao, 2023. "Comparative Assessment of the Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Forces of Natural and Constructed Wetlands in Arid and Semiarid Areas of Northern China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Md. Moudud Ahmed & As-Ad Ujjaman Nur & Yeasmin N. Jolly & Md. Rakeb Ul Islam & Mohammad Saifur Rahman & Shirin Akter & Jimmy Yu & Mohammed Fahad Albeshr & Takaomi Arai & Mohammad Belal Hossain, 2023. "Contamination and Ecological Risk Evaluation of Metals in Sediments from a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Jianing Zhang & Yeqing Duan & Shenbei Zhou & Yuanyuan Huang, 2023. "Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Water Ecological Restoration Based on the Relationship between the Supply and Demand of Ecological Products—A Case Study of the Yellow River Delta," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-18, November.
    6. Schmitt, Rafael Jan Pablo & Rosa, Lorenzo, 2024. "Dams for hydropower and irrigation: Trends, challenges, and alternatives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    7. Yang, Fan & Dong, Guanpeng & Wu, Pengfei & He, Fanneng, 2024. "Stylized facts of past 1000-year of China’s cropland changes," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    8. Inácio, Miguel & Das, Manob & Burkhard, Benjamin & Barceló, Damià & Pereira, Paulo, 2024. "Mapping and assessment of lake ecosystem services in Lithuania," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    9. D. P. Costa, Micheli & Wartman, Melissa & Macreadie, Peter I. & Ferns, Lawrance W. & Holden, Rhiannon L. & Ierodiaconou, Daniel & MacDonald, Kimberley J. & Mazor, Tessa K. & Morris, Rebecca & Nicholso, 2024. "Spatially explicit ecosystem accounts for coastal wetland restoration," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).

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