The conference, emphasizing inland wetlands, brought together experts in geology, hydrology, soils, water chemistry, floristic and faunistic biology with other ecosystems researchers and with social and political scientists, policy makers and interested laymen. They reviewed what is known on wetlands as well as the limitations of each approach. The general conclusion of this conference was that wetlands are a part of the larger ecosystem and that each worker had contrasting views and different definitions indicating the need for a holistic view of the environment. This would result in a comprehensive definition of wetlands which will be useful in developing policies for effective delineation and protection of such areas.