Wetlands in Europe: perspectives for restoration of a lost paradise

Although 80% of their original area has been lost in the past millennium, Europe's wetlands still cover large areas in the northern part of the continent. Most original wetland types are still represented: bogs and fens are common in the boreal, atlantic and temperate parts of the continent. Riverine wetlands, although strongly reduced in size and functionality, still occur along Europe's streams and rivers. Freshwater tidal wetlands have become very rare in Europe's temperate zone. European wetlands are valued because of their biodiversity and their ecosystem services; their protection and restoration is supported by the Ramsar Convention, EU directives and national legislation for nature protection in the various states. These actions need to be intensified to stop any further degradation of the resource and its many services. The ecosystem services of wetlands should be taken into account in management decisions on land and water use. Multiple wetland restoration initiatives in river catchments and fen areas are good examples of the way forward.