A case study of eco-building for wetlands future development

Abstract

Wetlands are fascinating and dynamic ecosystems that provide indispensable ecosystem services. They have changed dramatically over the past few centuries, largely through human settlement and associated activities. Fortunately, recent years have seen increasing acknowledgement of the range of benefits that wetlands have the potential to provide. With this recognition has come an acceptance of the role of healthy wetlands in underpinning human well-being. Usually, a wetlands rehabilitation program is structured around the principal directions based on monitoring the following specific indicators: water quality, waste management and waste water, pollution sources, habitat and biological communities. All rehabilitation interventions are undertaken within the context of improving the integrity and functioning of the ecosystem, and include measures that address both causes and effects of degradation. Rehabilitation can be sustainable if people understand and take ownership of completed rehabilitation work. The creation and arrangement of wetland space to offer new possibilities for leisure and even for conduct of educational activities will determine a clear challenge with respect to the link between sustainable development and wetland conservation. The paper presents a vision for sustainable wetland development to enhance the role of education in wetland protection, with the aim of improving the community service functions while conserving good ecological status. A proposed complex of ecobuildings is presented as an integrated solution for future development of a wetland area. The study site is Ciobarciu wetland area in Prut river catchment.