World Wetlands Day 2018

World Wetlands Day is one of the first environmental days on the calendar. It takes place on the 2nd of February in order to raise global awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet. Not only this, but it also marks the date of adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997.

By 2050, 66% of humanity will live in cities, as people move into urban areas searching for better jobs. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the value and importance of urban wetlands. In fast-growing cities, wetlands are often viewed as wasteland; places to dump rubbish, fill in or convert to other uses. Scientists estimate that at least 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900, while in parallel, cities have exploded in growth". Urban wetlands make cities liveable by providing multiple benefits such as; flood control, water supply, waste treatment, green space and livelihoods. Urban wetlands should be integrated into a city’s sustainable future planning and development; not viewed as wasteland. Cities should adopt policies and actions which help conserve and promote urban wetlands".

Here is a statement by Martha Rojas Urrego, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, on the occasion of World Wetlands Day 2018:

"Wetlands are essential for a sustainable urban future 4 billion people, about half of the world’s population live in urban areas today. By 2050 that number is expected to increase as more people move into cities in search of jobs and better opportunities. Urbanization is one of the key defining mega-trends of our time. It’s completely transforming where and how people will live in the future. In fact it is estimated that the number of megacities with more than ten million inhabitants will jump from 31 to 41 by 2030. A rapidly growing urban population comes with enormous challenges for city planners and managers. They have to ensure that cities today can deliver not only basic services such as accommodation, transport and water, but that these cities are safe, resilient and environmentally friendly. Every year on 2 February, we celebrate World Wetlands Day, to raise global awareness about the important role of wetlands for people and the planet". 

"This year’s theme “Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future,” highlights the important role of wetlands for sustainable urbanization. Urban wetlands are essential and contribute to making cities liveable. During storms, urban wetlands absorb excess rainfall, which reduces flooding in cities and prevents disasters and their subsequent costs. The abundant vegetation found in urban wetlands, acts as a filter for domestic and industrial waste and this contributes to improving water quality. Urban wetlands supply cities with water and are green spaces for recreation which helps to promote human wellbeing. Today`s current development of human settlements is a major concern for wetland conservation and wise use. As cities grow and demand for land increases, the tendency is to encroach on wetlands. They are often viewed as wasteland available to dump waste or be converted for other purposes. Yet when preserved and sustainably used, urban wetlands can provide cities with multiple economic, social and cultural benefits. They are prize land not wasteland and therefore should be integrated into the development and management plans of cities". 

"We encourage cities to adopt policies and actions which will help to conserve urban wetlands. There are already successful examples of cities that have committed to sustainably use their wetlands. In October 2018 in Dubai, during the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, we will be recognizing the first cities to obtain Wetland City Accreditation under our Convention. We hope that these pioneer cities will serve as a catalyst and inspire deliberate actions that set us on a pathway towards sustainable urbanization. Let us commit to making our cities liveable by taking actions today to retain, restore and preserve urban wetlands. Happy World Wetlands Day 2018!"

Alternatively, you can view the video:

Let's have an in-depth look at the importance of wetlands:

·        Reduce flooding

Wetlands act as giant sponges that absorb flood waters. Rivers, ponds, lakes and marshes soak up and store heavy rainfall. In coastal cities, saltmarshes and mangroves work as a buffer against storm surges.

·        Replenish drinking water

Groundwater aquifers, rainwater and rivers are the source of almost all drinking water. Wetlands fi lter the water that seeps into aquifers, helping to replenish this important water source. Protecting rivers and limiting harmful run-off also helps safeguard the water supply.

·        Filter waste and improve water quality

The silt-rich soil and abundant plants in wetlands function as water fi lters, which absorb some harmful toxins, agricultural pesticides and industrial waste. Urban wetlands also help treat sewage from households.

·        Improve urban air quality

Wetlands radiate moist air thanks to their high water levels and lush plant life. This naturally cools the air in the local surroundings; a relief both in tropical cities and in extremely dry climates.

·        Promote human well-being

When preserved as green spaces in cities, wetlands offer residents a space for recreation and access to diversity of plant and animal life. Studies confirm that interacting with nature reduces stress and improves our health.

·        Enable people to earn a living

Many types of fish spawn and breed in wetlands, making them popular fishing grounds. Wetlands provide reeds and grasses for weaving, medicinal plants and fruits; all valuable goods for local residents. Wetlands also attract tourism, another important source of jobs.

These wetland benefits grow ever more crucial as the number of people living in cities has now passed the 4 billion mark and continues to rise. 

What are urban wetlands?

Wetlands are land areas that are flooded with water, either seasonally or permanently. Urban wetlands are found in and around cities or their suburbs and include rivers and their flood plains, lakes, and swamps as well as coastal variants such as salt marshes, mangroves and coral reefs.

Here follows an infographic will all of the important facts:

Parents click on the link for a coloring in picture: http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/documents/10184/272341/WWD18_color_in_English.pdf/6bf7f368-25c1-40b5-85f1-5817e541164d

How a wetland works:

Help create awareness by:

• Inviting the public to take action on urban wetlands Promote World Wetlands Day and the theme on urban wetlands on your website, on social media platforms, in newsletters or bulletin boards etc. 
• Using the posters and hand-outs provided or create your own materials such as T-shirts, caps, banners etc. Indesign files are available and can be downloaded directly from: www.worldwetlandsday.org Translating the information materials provided into your own language. 
• Writing a blog or article in your local paper. Inform journalists and other media about how wetlands benefit cities, and how important they are for quality of life in urban areas.
• Organizing an event in your vicinity.

Examples include:

ü  Urban wetland field trip: Most cities have a wetland, maybe even a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site). Consult the list of Ramsar Sites by country at www.ramsar.org/sites-countries/ the-ramsar-sites. Once on site, consider what the wetland does for the city. And enjoy bird-watching, hiking, a boat ride, or a swim.

ü  Conference or a talk featuring wetland experts, local people who make their living in wetlands.

ü  Exhibition to present and showcase arts or photographs about wetlands. Community walk, bike or run for wetlands.

ü  Public wetland clean-up day. Press conference to make an important announcement.

ü  Film viewing: bring people together to watch a film on wetlands. Organize a photo or essay competition on World Wetlands Day.

ü  Organize or join an urban wetland clean-up exercise.

You can also do the following:

ü  Become a wetland “Ambassador” who advocates for protecting local wetlands.

ü  Use water sparingly and avoid toxic products that could flow into urban

ü  wetlands.

ü  Support actions that seek to restore degraded urban wetlands.

Teachers' resources

• Teacher’s guide to sustainable cities with a strong biology and science orientation, aimed at grades 9-12, issued by The Nature Conservancy: www.natureworkseverywhere.org/asset/resources/Sustainable_Cities_ Teacher_Guide_v1_2_8_2016.pdf 
• A brief but comprehensive overview of the growth of cities, from the United Nations: The World’s Cities in 2016 Data Booklet www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/urbanization/the_worlds_cities_in_2016_ data_booklet.pdf 
• A practical teacher’s guide for a wetland field trip, including activities for four different age ranges: Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. http://seas.umich.edu/ecomgt/pubs/wetlands/hennepin/App%205.PDF 
• A teacher guide to wetland activities aimed at grades 4-5 covering key aspects including food chain, and water cycle. From Ducks Unlimited Canada: Teacher’s Guide to Wetland Activities www.uaex.edu/environment-nature/wildlife/youth-education/TR%20Wetlands%20activities%20DU.pdf 

To recap, World Wetlands Day 2018 aims to raise awareness about how urban wetlands contribute to the future of sustainable cities and you can assist, too.

References

http://www.worldwetlandsday.org

http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/documents/10184/273021/WWD18_Guide_Engl.pdf/e81ab981-a8b9-48b7-9e35-316de596c70c

http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/documents/10184/279535/En_+WWD2018+Statement.pdf/9792fe8b-942e-435d-b3fe-34426f92db5e

http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/documents/10184/272657/Handout+1/032e4501-70d5-49d6-b7db-6e2f5b08e5ed

Today is World Wetlands Day!

World Wetlands Day (WWD) is annually celebrated on the 2nd of February. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and citizens annually undertake actions aimed specifically at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits and, in particularly, the Ramsar Convention.

 

Source: UN

Theme for 2017

The Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands accepted “Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction” as this year’s theme, during its 52nd meeting held in Gland, Switzerland from 13 – 17 June 2016. It was selected to raise awareness and it plays an essential role in reducing the effect of extreme weather events including floods, droughts and cyclones on communities. In fact, healthy wetlands help us cope with extreme weather events and in helping to build resilience.

The Ramsar Convention defines a wetland as “any land or area that is saturated or flooded with water, either permanently or seasonally, along with all beaches and shallow coastal areas, including 6 meters into the sea. This definition covers all inland wetlands such as marshes, ponds, lakes, fens, rivers, floodplains, and swamps as well as the whole range of coastal wetlands, which includes saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons, and coral reefs”.

Learn more about this important environmental day by visiting the official World Wetlands Day (www.worldwetlandsday.com). Here, you’ll find valuable advice and inspiration to celebrate it.

DEFINING A WETLAND

Wetlands are the most biologically diverse and rich ecosystems on Earth. Because of wetlands’ variation in size and location, it is often difficult to define the concept. Nonetheless, wetlands are transition zones between land and aquatic systems where the water table is usually near or at the surface, or the land is covered by shallow water. According to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; “Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres." Wetlands occur where the landform (topography) or geology slows down or obstructs the movement of water through a catchment causing the surface soil layers in the wetland area to be temporarily, seasonally, or permanently waterlogged.


Source: Geo41

A wetland is a distinctive ecosystem. The wetland biome consists of any body of water (either fresh or salt) that stands still and lies low. Wetlands are normally located near a river, lake, or stream. It is a land area saturated with water, which can be both permanent and seasonal. Examples of wetlands are marshes and ponds, the edge of a lake or ocean, the delta at the mouth of a river, and low-lying areas that frequently flood.

Differences in wetlands exist because of regional and local variances in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance. Wetlands support aquatic and terrestrial species. Water saturation (hydrology) ultimately determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities that occur here.

 



Source: Nature.org

The growth of specially adapted plants and the promotion of the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils are possible because of the prolonged presence of water that creates favourable conditions.

 

In a wetland the water level varies throughout the year. The growth of specially adapted plants and the promotion of the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils are possible because of the prolonged presence of water that creates favourable conditions.

Wetlands are distributed all over the world and occur in every climatic zone, from the polar regions to the tropics. They are found in areas wherever climate and landscape cause groundwater to discharge to the land surface or prevent rapid drainage from the land surface so that soils are saturated for some time.

A wetland is a vitally important environment asset. A high number of plant and animal species are abundantly found in wetlands.

Reference:
http://www.wetlands.org/Whatarewetlands/tabid/202/Default.aspx

FACTS ABOUT WETLANDS

      ·         The wetland biome includes swamps, bogs, and marshes. 

·         Alarmingly, 64 % of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900.

·         Freshwater species populations declined by 76 % between 1970 and 2010.

·         The wetlands that do still remain are often so degraded that the people who directly rely on them for fish, plants, and wildlife – often the very poor – are driven into even deeper poverty.

·         Some birds remain at a particular wetland all year long while other birds migrate from wetland to wetland.

·         Many wetlands serve as a reservoir for excessive rainfall to prevent flooding.   

·         Wetlands can be made of freshwater, saltwater, or a combination of the two. 

·         Wetland biomes typically remain humid and moist at all times making it the perfect home for many animals. 

·         There is more animal diversity in the wetland biome than any other biome type. 

·         Wetland biomes are responsible for keeping rivers at a normal level. They hold water and then release it to the river as needed. 

·         We depend on wetlands to supply freshwater for our daily needs, but more than one billion people around the world depend directly on wetlands to earn an income.

·         Coastal, marine, and inland wetlands are declining fast. Approximately 40 % have been degraded in just over 40 years and is continuing at an accelerated rate of 1.5 % annually.

 

 

CELEBRATING WORLD WETLANDS DAY

World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on 2 February. It falls specifically on this day because it marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, on 2 February 1971. World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997.

This is an important day on every environmentalist’s calendar because it raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits for humanity and the planet. It is also important as it fervently promote the conservation and wise and sustainable use of wetlands. Government agencies, non-government organisations, and community groups have all participated in raising important environmental awareness and the Ramsar Convention in particular.

Each year, World Wetlands Day focuses on a different theme and putting the spotlight on a vital function of wetlands. The theme for 2016 is Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods. This was chosen based on the fact that wetlands play a vital role for not only the current but also the future wellbeing of humanity. It also emphasis the promotion of the wise use of all wetlands. Also it will look specifically at their relevance towards achieving the new Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, it is about drawing attention to urgently acting towards slowing, stopping, and reversing wetland degradation. We can’t achieve sustainable development without healthy wetlands.

 

 

This year, you too can spread the green word by visiting www.worldwetlandsday.org which is running a photography competition for people aged 15 to 24. The prize is a flight to any wetlands destination anywhere in the world, courtesy of Star Alliance Biosphere Connections. Please do your bit to counteract the loss and degradation of wetlands. Let’s raise awareness of protecting wetlands, not only on World Wetlands Day, but also beyond, so that future generations can also experience the beauty that is wetlands.

 

Source: UN.

Because wetlands work for us, we need to work for wetlands!