Conservation of natural ecosystems of poplar and willow

This paper discusses the need and possibilities for conservation of riparia n ecosystems with emphasis on two important groups of tree species in these flood plain river ecosystems, poplars and willows. It puts conservation an d restoration activities into perspective with the needs and benefits fur s ociety and the environment. Natural ecosystems of poplar and willow that st ill exist are relatively scarce and although much is known about the differ ent components that together make up such an ecosystem, relatively little i s known about the system itself. The managers of ecosystems have to deal wi th many influences that come from outside the ecosystem: not only upstream and downstream, but also perpendicular to the river. The influence of manki nd, by means of its actions that reflect the opinion that nature is seconda ry to economics, is identified as one of the major problems.