A Database of individuals and Institutions engaged or interested in inland aquatic ecosystems (wetlands, lakes, rivers) in general, with emphasis on Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is now being prepared with the financial support from the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), Kobe, Japan (www.apn-gcr.org), for a project awarded to the National Institute of Ecology, New Delhi. The database is being hosted at the website of the Centre for Inland Waters in South Asia (www.aquaticecosystems.org) which will maintain it over the long term and extend in to all tropical countries, especially within Asia. The database will facilitate developing a network of individuals interested in the studies, conservation and management of wetlands/ rivers/lakes and promote exchange of information and communication among them.

All researchers interested in wetlands, rivers, lakes for any reason and anywhere in Asia, whether associated with an university, college or research institution or not, are invited to join the network. Individuals are required to register with a valid email ID and password, at www.aquaticecosystems.org. After verification from their email inbox, they will be able to access the dashboard where they should fill in a data form. All fields should be completed. Individuals have the option to allow their email IDs to be made public or not. The CVs and list of publications can be uploaded as a WORD file or PDF. The form can be edited at any time by logging in again and going to EDIT mode (instead of VIEW mode). The database (as it develops gradually over time) can be searched, after logging in.