LECTURE 14 Wetland :Conservation & Development What is wetland？ Areas where water covers the soil Link between water and land water saturation in soil Most fertile and productive ecosystems support both aquatic and terrestrial species found in every continents except the Antartica Wetland classification Functions Physical & hydrological natural sponge to store water and slowly releasing it natural filter intercept surface runoff remove or retain nutrients process organic wastes reduce sediments Functions Physical & hydrological impede wave action, protect shoreline against erosion disperse flood flows, store floodwater and reduce flood damage filter runoff and surface waters to maintain water quality trap and deposit sediments, and reduce erosion Recreational hiking, fishing, boating ecotourism Societal research, culture, education & aesthetics Threats of losing and degradation of wetland Conservation of wetland “civilization began around wetlands; today’s civilization has every reason to leave them wet and wild” (Maltby, 1986) Ramsar Convention The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 An intergovernmental treaty provides the framework for national action & international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. 123 Contracting Parties to the Convention 1060 wetland sites 80.6 million hectares Global Wetland in US Contribution to loss in US Wetland in China