21/07/2008

Ecohydrology applied to wetland management and conservation in metropolitan regions.

José Galizia Tundisi
International Institute of Ecology
Brazilian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Wetlands in metropolitan regions are important components of the system, playing a significant role in the control of nutrient levels and regulation of biogeochemical cycles, maintaining biodiversity and as a relevant part of urban landscape. The removal capacity of N and P of the Parelheiros wetland in the south of the metropolitan region of São Paulo was studied. Sediment, P and N retention were demonstrated for this wetland. Considering the elevated costs of treatment of water in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, these natural and artificial wetlands play a fundamental role in removing nutrients, heavy metals, toxic substances and contributing for lowering of these costs and for the general better quality of life in metropolitan regions. These results stimulated a wetland conservation plan for the metropolitan region of São Paulo with the aim to support public policies for sustainable management.

Support: FAPESP, CNPq, FINEP, CTHIDRO, SABESP.