World Wetlands Day is 2 February
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Back in 1971 on 2 February, the Convention on Wetlands was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar which sits on the shores of the Caspian Sea Today, the 2nd February is a really important day for people and wildlife, because it’s a chance to highlight how important wetlands are to us all. They are where land meets sea. The 2nd February is World Wetlands Day. This year, the theme is “Wetlands and Water”. Where are wetlands? Wetlands cover areas such as shores, estuaries, mudflats, floodplains, coastal marshes, local ponds, the bog and pond in your garden, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, and rivers. They cover a very small of the earth’s surface – and yet they are one of the most important habitats on our planet.
Why wetlands matter to people:
Why do wetlands matter to wildlife? 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed here. They are vital breeding and feeding grounds for migratory birds – stopover points, if you like. Banc d’Arguin National Park (Mauritania) is one of the most important zones in the world for nesting birds and Palearctic migratory waders, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I) (China). These birds use wetlands such as our coastlines to stop, moult, rest, winter or nest. Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) is one of the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystems. Sundarbans National Park (India) is formed of tidal rivers, creeks and canals and supports species such as the single largest population of tiger, and aquatic mammals such as the Irrawaddy and Ganges River dolphins, all under threat. So what’s happening to wetlands in our changing world? A recent global IPBES assessment identified wetlands as the most threatened ecosystem. This impacts 40% of the world’s plant and animal species that live or breed in wetlands. Our wetlands are threatened by:
Beavering away to address these problems are organisations such as the World Heritage Centre. An example of its work is the Okavango Delta which has incredible biodiversity but is threatened thanks to development pressure. It’s home to indigenous peoples and wildlife such as the cheetah, white rhinos, black rhinos, lion and the African wild dog. In 2019, the State Parties of Namibia, Botswana and Angola agreed a roadmap to explore the boundary extension of the World Heritage Site here to protect the river basin and the unique wetland system. In the UK, there’s the WWT –Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust but of course its work extends well beyond the UK. WWT say that: Between 1970 and 2014, populations of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptile species declined by a dreadful 60% In the last 400 years, England has lost 90% of her wetlands 30% of known fish species, many at risk amphibians and reptiles, migratory and resident water birds,, and thousands of plant species life here. However, the WWT is working hard to create, protect and restore – it believes we can reverse the decline and bring wetlands back to life. Its conservation projects strengthen the link between wetlands, wildlife and people, both in the UK and further afield. Find out more about their plans for 2020 At their Llanelli wetland centre, they created new islands, nest boxes, rafts, scrapes and pools. This gave waterbirds such as the lapwing somewhere to breed. Find out more here At Slimbridge, they have just had two spoon-billed sandpipers have just hatched (after 8 years of trying)! This is really good news – breeding pairs worldwide are under 200. The chicks are the size of bumblebees, so that gives you an idea of how small the birds are! So what can we all do to help wetland conservation? WWT can create new wetlands in a few months and years – so your support can really make a difference quickly. But there’s something we can all do to help and you’ll find more links and further resources further down.
Further Resources World Wetland Network – a collection of NGOs and Civil Society Groups all working for wetland conservation Wetland Link International – a support network for wetland education centres which deliver engagement activities on site. The WWT in the UK lead it; it has 350 members over 6 continents! RAMSAR – The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. World Wetlands Day – held every year on 2 February to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands and how we can all help WWT – the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in the UK. Visit one of their 10 sites around the UK and/or visit their website to see how you can get involved. The Global Wetland Outlook – take a look, it’s fascinating reading |
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