🌱 Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests and are the most threatened ecosystem on the planet. The United Nations estimates that 35% of wetlands have disappeared since 1970.
🌎 They cover about 6% of the earth's surface and are among the richest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet. They are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Plants and micro-organisms filter the water and digest all types of pollution. These marshes, mangroves, etc... are essential environments for water regeneration and purification.
🚧 Unfortunately, wetlands are often considered as wastelands to be drained or filled or transformed.
👉 Here are the main reasons for their decline and degradation:
- The disruption of land use patterns, especially the expansion of agriculture and grazing.
- Detour of water through dams, dykes and pipelines.
- Infrastructure development, especially in river valleys and coastal areas.
- Air and water pollution.
💡 Some solutions envisaged by the Convention on Wetlands:
- Adopt and implement policies that take into account the ecosystem services provided by wetlands and integrate them into land use planning.
- Use the remaining wetlands wisely, satisfying people's needs while preserving biodiversitý.
- Restore wetlands that have been degraded.
- Develop funding sources for wetland conservation.
- Teach everyone about the benefits of wetlands.
🇺🇳 On August 30, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed February 2 as World Wetlands Day to raise awareness of the urgency of reversing the accelerated loss of wetlands and promoting their conservation and restoration.
📜 This day marks the date of adoption of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance held in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the Caspian Sea. This Convention has already been adopted by 172 countries.
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