World Wetlands Day | United Nations (original) (raw)

The benefits that wetlands provide help sustain life and are central to human wellbeing.

Photo:Candy1812/Adobe Stock

Life interlaced: wetlands and people

Wetlands are ecosystems, in which water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. A broad definition of wetlands includes both freshwater and marine and coastal ecosystems, such as all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fishponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and saltpans.

These lands are critical to people and nature, given the intrinsic value of these ecosystems, and their benefits and services, including their environmental, climate, ecological, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic contributions to sustainable development and human wellbeing.

Alhough they cover only around 6 per cent of the Earth’s land surface, 40 per cent of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands. Wetland biodiversity matters for our health, our food supply, for tourism and for jobs. Wetlands are vital for humans, for other ecosystems and for our climate, providing essential ecosystem services, such as water regulation, including flood control and water purification. More than a billion people across the world depend on wetlands for their livelihoods – that’s about one in eight people on Earth.

Wetlands and Human Wellbeing

The theme for World Wetlands Day is “Wetlands and human wellbeing”. Its goal is to highlight how all aspects of human wellbeing - physical, mental, and environmental - are tied to the health of the world’s wetlands.

Why they are in danger

Wetlands are among the ecosystems with the highest rates of decline, loss and degradation. Indicators of current negative trends in global biodiversity and ecosystem functions are projected to continue in response to direct and indirect drivers, such as rapid human population growth, unsustainable production and consumption and associated technological development, as well as the adverse impacts of climate change.

Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests and are Earth’s most threatened ecosystem. In just 50 years — since 1970 — 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost. Human activities that lead to loss of wetlands include drainage and infilling for agriculture and construction, pollution, overfishing and overexploitation of resources, invasive species and climate change.

This vicious cycle of wetland loss, threatened livelihoods, and deepening poverty is the result of mistakenly seeing wetlands as wastelands rather than lifegiving sources of jobs, incomes, and essential ecosystem services. A key challenge is to change mindsets to encourage governments and communities to value and prioritize wetlands.

Did you know?

• About 1 in 8 people make their livelihoods from wetlands in ways that also deliver food, water supplies, transport and leisure.
• Wetland landscapes positively impact mental wellbeing.
• Wetlands safeguard the 60% of humanity along coastlines against storm surges, hurricanes and tsunamis.

Communication materials

If we are to inspire action, we also must ignite greater empathy for these rapidly disappearing ecosystems. Posters and other outreach materials are available to help you spread the word.

Preserving wetlands with water lilies

Wetlands around the world

There are currently over 2,400 Ramsar Sites around the world. They cover over 2.5 million square kilometers, an area larger than Mexico. The network of Ramsar Sites includes coastal and inland wetlands of all types. The Convention on Wetlands works to reverse wetland loss and degradation worldwide. Discover more about these fascinating places and how we can take action to protect our wetlands.

Unlocking the secrets of mangroves

Where land and sea meet, a unique ecosystem is found: mangrove forests, a type of coastal wetland ecosystem. Whether offering protection from climate change or supporting livelihoods, biodiversity, and more, mangroves benefit us all. Let's learn more about this precious ecosystem and see how mangroves affect our daily lives in this multimedia report.

Why do we mark International Days?

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.