This date marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of 1971, an international treaty that promotes the sustainable use and conservation of wetlands.
What are wetlands?
Wetlands are areas where water is the key factor shaping the conditions for plants, animals and people. They can be found in various forms: freshwater lakes, rivers, swamps, brackish lagoons, mangroves and coral reefs. Some are natural, while others are created by human activity, such as ponds and salt pans.
Why are wetlands invaluable?
Wetlands are true natural treasures. They cover only 6% of the Earth's surface, but support as much as 40% of all plant and animal species. They are an important source of clean water, food, and other resources. They also act as natural protection against floods and droughts and help combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide.
But wetlands are disappearing fast – three times faster than forests. Since 1970, we have lost 35% of these important ecosystems due to drainage, urbanization, pollution, and climate change.
This year's theme, "Protecting Wetlands for Our Shared Future," highlights the urgent need to protect these ecosystems. Conserving wetlands is not only important for nature, but also for our survival, as they help address global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.
Key messages of the campaign for 2025:
- Protecting wetlands is in our common interest – they protect us all.
- Our future depends on today's actions to preserve wetlands.
- Join forces in global efforts for the sustainable use and restoration of wetlands.
Let's contribute to a sustainable future
Healthy wetlands are crucial for mitigating climate change, adapting to it, preserving biodiversity, and human health. To maintain their benefits for future generations, we need effective policies, sustainable practices, and community participation. The year 2025 is an opportunity to pledge to protect wetlands and to participate in global initiatives, such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. By protecting wetlands, we not only safeguard nature but also build a better future for all.
In which areas are wetlands important and why?
Wetland biodiversity
Wetlands connect different habitats and enable the movement of species, helping to maintain genetic diversity and healthy populations. They support 40 % of all known plant and animal species, including endangered and endemic ones that can survive only in certain wetland habitats. Freshwater wetlands are biodiversity hotspots, as they host almost all amphibians, half of the fish, and a third of the vertebrates. Pollution and invasive species severely threaten the biodiversity of these areas.
Collaboration with local communities and integrating biodiversity into urban planning are key to a sustainable future.
Wetlands and climate change
Wetlands are among the most effective terrestrial ecosystems for reducing climate change, as they store large amounts of carbon. Peatlands, which cover only 3 % of the Earth, store as much as 30 % of all terrestrial carbon. Degradation of wetlands increases greenhouse gas emissions, while their preservation prevents climate crises. To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, the protection of wetlands must be included in climate plans and legislation.
Cultural and recreational values of wetlands
Wetlands are an important part of cultural heritage and crucial for preserving traditions. They attract visitors, which generates income for local communities. However, sustainable tourism planning is needed so as not to jeopardize ecosystems. Local knowledge and traditions play an important role in the management of wetlands.
Wetlands and resilience to natural disasters
Healthy wetlands help mitigate the impacts of floods, droughts and other natural disasters. They act as natural sponges, retaining water and reducing the risk of disasters. Sustainable management and restoration of wetlands increase community resilience to extreme weather events.
Economic benefits of wetlands
Wetlands support agriculture, fishing and ecotourism and provide more than a billion jobs worldwide. Degradation of wetlands exacerbates poverty, especially in developing countries. The restoration of wetlands creates green jobs and supports the sustainable development goals.
World Wetlands Day offers us the opportunity to come together, express our commitment to preserving these unique environments and ensure that wetlands remain an invaluable part of our natural heritage.
More about World Wetlands Day: World wetlands day
