Wetlands and invasive alien species: towards economically viable natural solutions?
Summary
Wetlands are the largest reservoirs of carbon-based organic matter. They help mitigate extreme weather events (floods and droughts), purify water, and preserve biodiversity. However, 85% of wetlands have been lost in three hundred years, and they continue to disappear three times faster than forests. Since the 1970s, an additional problem has come to light: the number of invasive alien species in wetlands and aquatic environments has increased by 70%. This is one of the five factors responsible for the decline in biodiversity.
According to the 2018 Global Water Value Report, "working with nature, not against it, would preserve natural capital and support a circular economy" that uses resources efficiently but sustainably. Nature-based solutions can be both viable and provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Recent technologies that combine ecological solutions and sustainable chemistry will be presented. A few illustrative examples will demonstrate the value of such approaches.
This course will be followed by a seminar presented by Dr. Arnaud Albert, Doctor of Biology, Project Manager and Researcher on Invasive Alien Species/National Referent on Invasive Alien Plants, French Office for Biodiversity. His presentation is entitled "What actions should be taken to prevent the introduction of invasive alien species?"