Colombia's model wetland restoration at risk

摘要: One of the world’s greatest restorationsuccess stories is at risk because fundingcuts (http://www.ecoamericas.com/english/story.asp?storyid=392). The estuarinewetlands and mangrove forests fed by theMagdalena River in Colombia were nearlywiped out mid-1990s roadsand dikes blocking normal flow regimes.Between 1995 1998, >US$25 milliondollars spent to re-establish normalhydrology, with immediate benefits realized interms recovering fisheries mangroves.Unfortunately, this effort depends on continualdredging, Colombian Governmentstopped dredging program 1998. At riskis livelihood 25 000 families that dependon wetland, as well aNational Park wildlife sanctuary arehome threatened sapphire hummingbirds,crocodiles West Indian manatee.The more general lesson here thegrowing realization successfulrestoration often requires uninterruptedand continuous investment, becausedegraded ecosystems are so alteredthat they can never be restored aself-sustaining system. PKLetters