Wetlands and water storage: current and future trends and issues
It is clear that in all regions of the world there will be continued growth in the demand for reliable supplies of water for climate change adaptation, food security, water security, human and economic development. In an increasingly unpredictable global environment, providing effective options for water storage will be an important aspect of meeting that demand. Both large and small dams are likely to be suggested as potential solutions for increasing surface water storage, but as Ramsar Contracting Parties have recognized in several Resolutions, dams can have both negative and positive implications for wetlands and wetland ecosystem services. In this note, the STRP provides an overview of the implications for wetlands of current issues and trends related to potential growth in demand for surface water storage capacity.