The field of conservation biology is in part a response by the scientific community to this situation. Effectively meeting this challenge will require individuals that understand the concepts and guiding principles of conservation biology, and are capable of integrating this knowledge with more traditional information on the ecology, management, status, and biopolitics of wetlands. Unfortunately, confusion exists regarding the application of biodiversity concepts, especially complex theory, to actual management situations. Biodiversity is the variety of life forms, the ecological roles they perform, and the genetic diversity they contain. Ecological and evolutionary processes are also considered part of biodiversity.
Conservation biology is an integrative approach to the protection and management of biodiversity.
In more specific terms, wetland managers should identify critical wetland processes, understand wetland dynamics and ecological processes controlling a particular system, control invasions of exotic species, minimize disturbance to vulnerable species, incorporate population-level and landscape considerations whenever possible, and use adaptive management to provide feedback on success of management actions. Managing freshwater wetlands for biological diversity does not necessarily require new management techniques. However, certain techniques likely will become more important as emphasis is placed on maintaining ecosystem integrity and biological diversity. Literature Cited Giudice, J. H., and J. T. Ratti. 1995. U.S. Army Eng.