Wetland restoration holds the potential not only for ecological recovery but also for reweaving the socialfabric. It is important to understand the historical context to build sucesssful future restoration strategies.
Wetlands as a Cradle of Life and Social Bonds
Prehistoric wetlands provided not only food but also a stable foundation for the emergence of early settlements and communities. They served as natural centre of resource sharing, cooperation, and social cohesion.
In these environments, mutual dependence formed the basis of traditional family and community ties. Their diverse ecosystems also taught people to respect the natural rhythms of life and resource cycles, which were particularly pronounced and defining in wetlands.
Agriculture and the Persistence of Community
The Agricultural Revolution deepened intra-family bonds and expanded cooperation between groups. Even as societies grew, communities remained the basic units organizing labour, care, and social life.
Wetlands and fertile lowlands played a crucial role as sources of food and long-term stability. Wetlands were essential not only as sources of water and fertile soil but also as stabilizing elements that enabled lasting agricultural settlements and community bonds.
The Industrial Revolution: The Collapse of Traditional Bonds
With the onset of industrialization, traditional communities disintegrated—people left the countryside, wetlands were drained, and families were split due to urbanization and labor migration. The functions once fulfilled by communities gradually shifted to the state and market, disrupting the natural structure of society.
This led to a loss of emotional, cultural, and ecological continuity. The disappearance of wetlands as shared spaces for sustenance, rituals, and human connection accelerated the shift from natural belonging to an individualised life in an anonymous city.
Connection with ALFAwetlands project
The outlined historical trajectory resonates with the ALFAwetlands Work Package 5, namely Economic & social impacts of wetland restoration. By framing wetland degradation as both an ecological and social crisis, it is advised that the wetland restoration must go beyond biodiversity and ecosystem services—it must also revive lost social cohesion and enhance human wellbeing. WP5’s use of stated preference surveys and Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) is instrumental in capturing the values people place on these often-intangible social and cultural benefits. Furthermore, the GLOBIOM model, which assesses economic impacts of land use changes at the EU level, provides a macroeconomic lens that complements the post’s broader narrative of societal transformation. Furthermore, wetland restoration holds the potential not only for ecological recovery but also for reweaving the socialfabric—an imperative for sustainable futures.
Summary
While the technological and political changes of the Industrial Revolution are undeniable, its deepest impact lies in the disruption of fundamental ties between humans, nature, and community. The destruction of wetlands and traditional forms of coexistence signals not only an ecological but also a social crisis whose effects are still felt today. Restoring wetlands as living and socially meaningful spaces may be the key to reconnecting humans with the land—and with one another. And ALFAwetlands research project provides a lot of up-to-date knowledge to support restoration decisions.
This post was prepared by Vlado Vancura, European Wilderness Society expert.