Introduction

This chapter provides a concise introduction to the elements – concepts, theories, methods and models for empirical analysis – contributed by the natural and social sciences to studies of wetlands. The case study discussed in Chapters 5 to 10 of the book will draw upon some of these elements. Section 2.2 presents the natural science perspective, focusing on hydrology and ecology, while Section 2.3 presents the social science perspective, focusing on environmental and ecological economics. Section 2.4 examines approaches to, and problems associated with, integrating the two perspectives.

Hydrology and ecology

According to the Ramsar definition, a wetland is an area where wet conditions predominate (see Section 1.2). Abiotic – chemical and hydrological – conditions of waters and soil together influence biological processes in a wetland, which in turn affect its environmental and economic functions. This section will provide information about these various connections, illustrated by examples taken from the Netherlands.

Processes and characteristics of hydrological systems

Each wetland is part of the hydrological cycle. The latter refers to the process of water evaporating from the surface of the earth and returning through precipitation: rain, snow, etc. The volume of precipitation is the major force in the cycle. Since gravity drives water flows, surface water ends up in rivers and oceans, where it can evaporate again (Chow, 1964; Manning, 1997; Ward and Robinson, 2000).