WELCOME

by prof.dr. Jos T.A. Verhoeven

Dear Professionals and Students in Wetland Science, Natural Resource Management, Water Policy and Nature Conservation,


On behalf of Utrecht University, I have the honour to invite you to attend the 7th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference in Utrecht, 25-30 July, 2004. The Netherlands has a long tradition in the field of wetland science and water resources management. Utrecht University has several well-known research groups from different disciplines active in wetland science, with special emphasis on wetland landscape ecology, geochemistry, plant adaptation, ecohydrology and nutrient dynamics.

Located in the estuaries of the large rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt, the country of The Netherlands has been literally built on wetlands. From the early Middle Ages, the Dutch people have had to work together to maintain flood protection structures and drainage works and to develop ideas for a proper water management. Through the centuries, this has very much shaped our sense of necessity for collaboration and finding compromises in difficult situations. In the last centuries, water resources management has become more and more elaborate and technological, while at the same time the ecological limitations of water (over)use have become all too evident.

In recent decades, new ideas on water resources management have been put forward in our country, to which the fields of civil engineering, wastewater technology and ecology have had inputs of equal importance. This 'integrated water resources management' emphasises the necessity to develop management strategies involving water quantity (hydraulics, flood protection) and water quality in one integrated scheme. Wetlands are more and more recognised as important systems supporting biodiversity and economic benefits at the same time. While the Dutch people have become famous for flood protection schemes and wetland reclamation, in recent years the emphasis in land use planning is much more on wetland rehabilitation and restoration.

It is the mission of the Utrecht Conference in 2004 to bring together the newest developments in wetland science and the recent ideas on water resources management from around the world, so that specialists in these fields can learn from each other's experience and knowledge.

Utrecht has been known over the centuries as a city with an open mind, flexibility and an international attitude. It is one of the major cities in a country that cherishes its long tradition of allowing an unrestricted exchange of ideas while taking a relatively neutral position in international politics. There are excellent public transport connections with Schiphol airport and with the European rail and motorway networks.

This invitation booklet gives you all background information for the 7^th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference. Professionals and students in wetland science, natural resource management, water policy and nature conservation from all over the world are most welcome in Utrecht in July 2004.

The organising committees have the intention to make your participation in the conference an unforgettable and most rewarding experience.

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