Visit an essential part of our life support system, says
Danielle Desouza
Wetlands are watery wonders. Going by a host of names, such as swamps, marshes, bogs, fens and mires, 40 % of the world’s animals and plants depend on them to survive.
And for anyone longing to see more of the natural world, they are stunning places to visit, offering fantastic birdwatching and wildlife-spotting opportunities.
But these vital ecosystems are endangered, which is why World Wetlands Day last month (February 2) and the WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) have highlighted the importance of preserving them.
Tom Fewins, WWT’s head of policy and advocacy, says wetlands are “an essential part of our life support system”. They filter out pollutants from the environment, store rainwater like a sponge and are one of the planet’s most effective carbon sinks.
But Fewins says: “Over the last 500 years in the UK, we’ve lost 90 per cent of our wetlands and globally, we’ve lost 35 per cent since 1970.”
Now the WWT is campaigning to create 100,000 hectares of new wetlands, while responsible tourism can also help these special areas thrive.