Gland, Switzerland, 27th September 2018 – First of all, Wetlands are the most economically valuable resource we have. It’s also among the most bio-diverse ecosystems in the world. However, they are disappearing. Consequently at three times faster than forests. That is with severe consequences for our future. I mean unless urgent action is taken. All to as a result ensure their survival.
Annual Wetlands Losses
Approximately 35 per cent of the world’s wetlands were lost between 1970-2015. With annual rates of loss accelerating from 2000. This is according to the first-ever Global Wetland Outlook (www.global-wetland-outlook.ramsar.org) of the Ramsar Convention. So the convention is a global treaty ratified by 170 countries. Promoting the purpose to protect wetlands. Finally and promote their wise use; showing every region affected.
Losses driven by mega trends such as:
a) climate change
b) population increases
c) urbanization, particularly of coastal zones and river deltas,
d) and changing consumption patterns that have all fueled changes to land and water use and to agriculture.
In addition, Wetlands, which include lakes, rivers, marshes and peatlands. That’s as well as coastal and marine areas such as estuaries, lagoons, mangroves and coral reefs. These are now estimated to cover more than 12.1 million km2. We are talking an area greater than Greenland. Furthermore, between 13-18 percent of them are on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. Meaning “protected sites.”
Critical to Human Life
I mean wetlands are critical to human and planet life. Directly or indirectly, they give almost all the world’s consumption of freshwater. More than one billion people depend on them. All for a living and 40 percent of the world’s species live and breed in wetlands.
For they are a vital source for:
- food
- raw materials
- genetic resources for medicines
- hydropower
- they mitigate floods
- protect coastlines
- build community resilience to disasters
- play an important role in transport, tourism and the cultural and spiritual well-being of people.
Studies also show the economic value of services. I mean those provided by wetlands far exceeds those of terrestrial ecosystems.
Inland wetlands have a total economic value five times higher than tropical forests, the most valuable terrestrial habitat.
Consequently, wetlands are also essential to efforts to regulate the global climate. Peatlands store twice as much carbon as the world’s forests.
Believe it or Not. Wetlands are just 3% of the world’s land surface.
Further, that includes salt marshes. As well as sea grass beds and mangroves. For they are also carbon-dense ecosystems.
Yet, wetlands produce 20-25 per cent of global methane emissions. Because rising temperatures from climate change also are expected to increase. So then are greenhouse gases from wetlands.
Hence, particularly in permafrost regions.
Despite this, wetlands remain dangerously undervalued. That’s by policy and decision-makers in national plans. It’s an inexplicable omission given the pivotal role wetlands play in delivering global commitments on:
- climate change
- sustainable development
- biodiversity
- disaster risk reduction
- with wetlands contributing to as well, 75 indicators of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) alone
So the persistent and growing threat to the world’s remaining wetlands. All from:
- water drainage
- pollution
- unsustainable use
- invasive species
- disrupted flows from dams and sediment dumping from deforestation and soil erosion upstream detailed in the GWO, released ahead of the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP13) in Dubai, UAE.
In addition, water quality trends are worsening. With nearly all fresh water sources in the world compromised to some extent. Water pollution and nutrient loading from fertilizers are among the biggest challenges.
According to the UN, more than 80 per cent of waste water released into wetlands. Mind you, without adequate treatment. Then you have fertilizer use in 2018 being 25 per cent higher than in 2008. Exacerbating excessive wetland plant growth and levels of decomposition. These are resulting in oxygen starvation. Starvation for flora and fauna alike.
A biodiversity crisis is just as alarming. More than 25 per cent of all wetlands plants and animals are at risk of extinction. As well, the IUCN’s Red List Index which assesses survival probability. Using available data has identified negative trends. Combined for wetland mammals, birds, amphibians and corals.
These are an indication they are heading for extinction. Coral reefs are declining fastest due to rising sea temperatures. Then amphibians have the lowest numbers and are the most threatened.
Wetland fish, reptiles and large mammals are also vulnerable. Even with every turtle species globally threatened and a third critically endangered.
Also, the GWO emphasizes the necessity of developing effective wetland management plans. Thereby integrating wetlands into the planning and implementation of national plans. Especially on sustainable development, climate change and other key global commitments.
As a result, the report also stresses good governance and effective institutions. Institutions at local, national and regional levels as a crucial factor. Crucial in preventing, ending, and reversing trends in wetland loss and degradation.
Accurate data on wetland extent and wetland inventories is needed. It’s to help countries identify priority sites for restoration.
Indigenous and local knowledge as well as citizen scientists are already invaluable resources on the state of wetlands and can be used more.
Funding Mechanisms
As well, drawing on successful examples across the world, the report recommends using existing funding mechanisms. Using them to apply economic and financial incentives. Specifically for communities and businesses to protect wetlands through tax benefits. Perverse incentives for farmers and businesses. An example and most noteworthy, subsidies to agriculture that encourage wetland conversion or pollution should be ended.
Additional recommendations include identifying solutions for the wise use of wetlands. Ones that draw upon all expertise. That ranges from hard science to traditional knowledge, which is to secure wide engagement on wetland protection. Also and wise use ensures sound decision-making. Most importantly, the GWO’s findings are expected to inform discussions and decisions at the Ramsar COP13 (21-29 Oct).
In conclusion, Rojas Urrego said that there is a “slow awakening to the value” of wetlands. Across the globe, legislative bodies must integrate wetlands into policy programs. They must make investments into their sustainability. We need to educate the world on the critical importance of this most rapidly disappearing ecosystem. Without the world’s wetlands, we all hang in the balance.
Photos: https://www.ramsar.org/gallery/field_album/ramsar-sites-966
Quick FACTS AND FIGURES
Wetlands extent
• 93% of wetlands are inland systems, 7% are marine and coastal. p18
Regional figures (p18, p58)
Asia has 31.8% of the world’s wetlands, the most of any region.
North America has second highest area of wetlands in world at 27.1%
Latin America and Caribbean has third highest area of wetlands 15.8%.
Europe has 12.5% of the world’s wetlands.
Africa has 9.9 % of wetlands in the world.
Oceania has the smallest area of wetlands in the world at 2.9% of the global total.
2. Wetland loss
Average annual rate of natural wetland loss estimated by Wetland Extent Trends (WET) Index is -0.78% a year. This is three times faster than the average annual rate of natural forest loss between 1990-2015 at 0.24% a year. p19
Since 2000, rates of natural wetland loss have accelerated each year from 0.85% to 1.60%. p19
Regional figures p19-20
Latin America has seen highest rate of wetland loss – 59% – between 1970-2015. p19
Africa lost 42% of its wetlands in the same time frame.
Also, Europe has an overall loss of 35% its inland and coastal wetlands.
The tracking of 400 sites in the Mediterranean region revealed a loss of 48% of natural wetlands from 1970-2013. As well, a figure far higher than Africa (42%), Asia (32%) and the overall regional figure for Europe.
Asia lost 32% of its wetlands.
North America lost 17% of its wetlands
Oceania has seen lowest rate of loss between 1970-2015 at 12%.
3 Water and pollution
82% of global population is exposed to a high level of threat to their fresh water supply upstream, according to a 2015 study. p43
By 2050, one third of the global population will likely be exposed to water with excessive nitrogen and phosphorus. p31
In nearly half of OECD countries, water in agricultural areas contains pesticides above national recommended limits. p5
Agriculture accounts for 70% of global water withdrawals. p40
Regional figures
Latin America, Africa and Asia
By 1990s, water pollution had worsened in almost all rivers there with deterioration expected to escalate. p31
Severe pathogen pollution affects one third of rivers in these regions. p5
In Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa, 80-90% of water resources used is for irrigation. p40
Asia withdraws 20% of global water resources (80% for irrigation). p40
Europe
a) eutrophication affects about 30% of water bodies in 17 EU countries. p31
b) Region withdraws 6% of global water resources (29% for agriculture). p40
Americas, Asia and Europe are biggest users of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, with Americas topping list for insecticides and herbicides and Europe for fungicides. p48
- Economic impact of wetlands services
Wetlands sustain 266 million jobs in wetland tourism and travel. p61
Most noteworthy, coral reefs have the highest average Total Economic Value (TEV) of wetlands. That’s at $350,000 per hectare (ha) annually and based on 2007 value estimates. Also, coastal wetlands including mangroves are second at $190,000 per ha per year. p42
In addition, between 1997-2011, estimated losses of ecosystem services from changes to areas of different biomes were US$11.9 trillion from coral reefs. US$7.2 trillion from tidal marshes and mangroves and US$2.7 trillion from swamps and floodplains. All which is also according to a 2014 study. p42
- Food and aquaculture
Annual harvesting from inland fisheries rose from 2 million tonnes in 1950 to more than 11.6 million tonnes in 2012. Worst part, it is not including subsistence farming.
Also, global aquaculture increased from less than one million tonnes in 1950 to 52.5 million tonnes in 2008. That’s comprising 45.7% of the world’s fish food production.
- Biodiversity
In conclusion, a quarter (25%) of more than 18,000 inland wetland dependent species surveyed are globally threatened. Finally, with a similar level of threat (23%) among less than 1,500 coastal and near-shore marine species assessed.
