+A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally, where oxygen-free processes prevail. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to the unique hydric soil.
+Wetlands include a variety of habitats, which may be natural or man made area of water or marsh that can be lotic (standing water) and lentic (running water).
+Types of wetlands
a)Marine water
b)Fresh water
c)Man made
+Why Are Wetlands Important?
+Wetlands and Ecosystem Services
+Wetlands are threatened
+Wetland Protection
+Wetland Conservation Strategy
2. Wetlands include a variety of habitats, which may be natural or man made area of water or
marsh that can be lotic (standing water) and lentic (running water).
A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally,
where oxygen-free processes prevail. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from
other land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to
the unique hydric soil.
Many wetlands are transitional zones between upland and aquatic ecosystems,
although others are scattered across the landscape in upland depressions that collect
water or in zones where groundwater comes to the surface.
Wetlands ranges from peat bogs to mangrove forests, from fresh water ponds and marshes
to flood plain, shallow lakes, brackish water lagoons, estuaries, coastal salt marshes, coral
reefs etc.
Paddy field and fish ponds are man-made and man-managed wetlands
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4. Marine and coastal wetlands
Shallow coastal waters Mangrove swamps Rocky marine shore
Estuarine waters Inter-tidal mud an sand Brackish water lagoon
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5. Fresh water wetlands
Spring Oasis Geothermal wetlands
Marshes Riverine Flood Plains Swamps
Rivers
Fresh water lakes
Fresh water Ponds
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6. Man made wetlands
Water reservoirs / Dams Fishery ponds
Ponds for water treatment Rice field Mining pool
Canals
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7. Why Are Wetlands Important?
Wetlands are important because they:
•improve water quality
•provide wildlife habitat
•maintain ecosystem productivity
•reduce coastal storm damage
•provide recreational opportunities
•improve the water supply
•provide opportunities for education
Humans being depend upon biodiversity for their survival and many people in countries of developing
economy depends on biodiversity available in their immediate environment for food, fodder, fuel, and fibre.
The biodiversity found in wetlands is very large. They may be micro-organisms, fungi, algae, flowering plants,
crustacean, molluscs, fish, turtles, birds and mammals. The economic benefits that man gets from wetlands
may be listed as- (i) water supply, (ii) transport, (iii) food, fodder, fuel, timber, (iv) commercial fishery, (v)
agriculture, (vi) industrial and urban development, (vii) tourism, (viii) wildlife habitat and conservation.
Ecological functions and benefits of wetlands are – (i) bio-diversity, (ii) water cycle maintenance, (iii) flood
control, (iv) shore stabilization, (v) bio-geochemical cycle control, (vi) carbon sequestration, (vii) climate
stability.
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8. Wetlands and Ecosystem Services
Wetlands are particularly important providers of all water-related ecosystem services.
Wetlands are productive areas for plant life, animals and wetland agriculture.
Wetlands are the major habitat for most of the world’s waterbirds and key habitat for migratory species.
Wetlands are an important source of food.
Values of coastal and inland wetlands ecosystem services are typically higher than for other ecosystem types
Wetlands have high recreational, historical, scientific, and cultural values.
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9.
10. Wetlands are threatened
Human activities threaten wetlands. The following anthropogenic activities have directly or indirectly affected wetlands.
Road and railway construction
Cutting trees and mangroves for human use
Use of water for irrigation, industrial and domestic use
Aquatic pollution due to municipality sewage, agricultural practices
Water pollution from industrial effluents
Development of agriculture
Over fishing and non maintenance of fish stock
Grazing by domestic animals
Excessive tourism and water sport
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11. Coastal wetlands are some of the most endangered habitats on the planet, despite providing
valuable climate adaptation services such as flood attenuation and wastewater treatment services,
erosion control, buffering against sea level rise and storm damage. They also support biodiversity,
and have significant social, socio-economic and environmental co-benefits.
Around the globe and throughout the United States, many coastal wetlands are converted for
agriculture, aquaculture or urban development. The loss of healthy wetlands releases stored carbon
into the atmosphere. Polluted run-off can also degrade the health of wetlands, leading to an eventual
release of carbon trapped in the soil.
Avoiding coastal wetland conversion is a low-cost climate mitigation pathway, leading to avoided
greenhouse gas emissions. Many interventions such as establishing protected areas, improving land
tenure and enforcing land-use laws can be put into place immediately. Preventing conversion and
maintaining the health of coastal wetlands will allow these areas to continue storing and absorbing
carbon from the atmosphere.
Wetland Protection
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