This week, on the 2nd of February, the world will observe and celebrate World Wetlands Day. This day is recognized by the United Nations (UN), and we celebrate this day as part of our collaboration with the UN’s decade of eco-restoration! For this year, the theme is “Wetlands for our common future”.

We may remember how Mark Allaway helped us better understand wetlands in this Ask me Almost Anything article from 2024. We may also recall some recent articles about our community in Fiji, planting and restoring mangroves, and the educational article about restoring mangroves. 

Considering this day, we may ask – “What exactly is a wetland again??”

Wetlands are natural areas where water plays the main role in shaping the environment and supporting plants and animals. They include many different types of ecosystems, both freshwater and coastal or marine. Wetlands can be lakes and rivers, underground water sources, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries and deltas, tidal flats, mangroves, coral reefs, and even human-made areas like fishponds, rice fields, reservoirs, and salt flats.

That is a lot, right?!

Wetlands are extremely important for both people and nature. They have their own natural value, but they also provide many benefits. Wetlands support the environment and climate, protect ecosystems, and contribute to society, the economy, education, and beauty – just to name a few. Because of these roles, they are essential for sustainable development and human wellbeing.

Although wetlands cover only about 6 percent of the Earth’s land surface, they are home to an incredible amount of life. According to the UN, around 40 percent of all plant and animal species live or reproduce in wetlands. This rich biodiversity is important for our health, our food systems, tourism, and jobs. Wetlands also play a key role in regulating water, preventing floods, and cleaning water naturally. More than one billion people worldwide depend on wetlands for their livelihoods. That is more or less one out of every eight people on our planet.

Have a look at the map below to discover all the wetlands around the world. You may even have a wetland in your area, which you were not aware of! (If you click on the map, it will take you to an external site where you can interact with the map- Have a look!)

Let’s consider how trees and wetlands grow together. In many wetlands, trees like mangroves and swamp forests protect the soil and water. Their roots hold the ground, their leaves create shade, and their trunks store carbon. Thus, the trees in and around wetlands keep the ecosystem healthy and strong.

Now, when these start to disappear, the wetlands start to suffer. And when our wetlands disappear, our whole planet will suffer the loss. Unfortunately, many wetlands are already being destroyed, as explored in our previous article. They are drained for farms and cities. Pollution and climate change make them weaker. Every year, more wetlands disappear, and with them, clean water, wildlife, and natural protection.

But, there is hope! For example, our community in Fiji, which works on restoring mangroves. Additionally, many people around the world (like our global tree-planting community) are restoring wetlands, planting trees, and protecting nature. Local communities, young people, and organizations are working together to bring life back to these ecosystems!

How can we be part of this story? How can we protect and preserve wetlands? Here are a few points to consider.

– Learn about wetlands near you by checking out the map above, simply by exploring your area.

– Protect existing trees, and plant more (native) trees!

– Preserve our natural environments by reducing pollution and waste.

– We can support projects that protect wetlands and forests.

– And finally -and most easily – we can share the message of nature’s importance!

If you have a wetland in your area, and would like to tell us a story about it, please reach out to us! We look forward to hearing from you!

Image sources:
https://www.pexels.com/