Friday 2nd February 2024 is “WORLD WETLAND DAY – NURTURING HUMAN WELL-BEING”
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African wetland scene © Jacques Trouvilliez, Two people crossing a wetland.
By Ashley Malepe
On the 2nd of February 2024, as the world anticipates the predictions of a groundhog, we, at the Southern African Development Community – Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI), stand united in celebrating a lesser-known yet vital event – World Wetlands Day. This occasion prompts us to reflect on the symbiotic relationship between wetlands and human well-being, a theme that echoes the very core of our commitment to sustainable development in the SADC region. The theme of wetlands and Human well-being recognizes wetlands as critical to people and nature and indeed highlights the vital role that wetlands play not just from an ecological perspective but also in terms of the benefits they provide for sustainable development and human well-being.:
Wetlands, often hidden treasures in our landscapes, are indispensable as dynamic ecosystems that seamlessly bridge terrestrial and aquatic environments. These natural wonders, encompassing marshes, swamps, and bogs, act as nature’s water purifiers, safeguarding the quality of our water resources. Beyond this, wetlands emerge as crucial habitats, nurturing a rich biodiversity that forms the intricate tapestry of life. Given their importance, the conservation and wise use of wetlands is recognized globally, including by the Ramsar Convention – an international treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
In Africa, the tale of wetlands is a nuanced narrative of resilience and vulnerability. Recent statistics, sourced from reputable studies such as the Ramsar Convention’s Global Wetland Outlook 2021, reveal that approximately 35% of wetlands in Africa have faced degradation due to urbanization and agricultural expansion, threatening their ecological integrity. As stewards of the environment, we must confront the reality that the degradation of wetlands jeopardizes the very fabric of our interconnected ecosystems.
In Southern Africa alone, wetlands continue to be degraded and lost through conversion to agriculture and other uses, and yet they are supposed to be the lifeline for communities, providing sustenance to the considerable population in our region, and supporting livelihoods, through agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Recent research, including data from the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), indicates that nearly 25% of our wetlands have experienced significant degradation, impacting the delicate equilibrium of our ecosystems, and the urgency of conservation becomes more apparent. One of the major constraints to the sustainable management of wetlands in the region is that wetland users and decision-makers have an insufficient understanding of the consequences of alternative management and policy regimes on wetland functioning, ecosystem services, and human well-being.
Globally, the interconnectedness of wetlands to human well-being is highlighted by staggering numbers. Over 1 billion people depend on wetlands, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), conservation of these vital ecosystems is not just a regional concern but a shared responsibility that transcends borders.
The urgency in addressing the conservation of wetlands indeed represents a call to action to both the public and experts in various fields. Both the public sector and businesses are urged to join hands in conserving wetlands for sustainable development. Therefore, it is imperative for everyone – not just environmentalists or biologists – to engage in the conservation of wetlands. Governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals all have a role to play. This can include supporting and implementing policies that protect wetland areas, engaging in restoration projects, reducing pollution, using resources sustainably, raising awareness, and contributing to scientific research.
Wetlands are the heartbeat of our planet, providing us with clean water, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Conservation of wetlands is not just about protecting nature; it is an investment in our future, ensuring that these natural resources continue to sustain life and contribute to the well-being of the planet and future generations.
As World Wetlands Day dawns upon us, let us reflect on our role as custodians of the environment. At SADC-GMI we remain steadfast in our commitment to sustainable groundwater management, recognizing that the health of our wetlands is intertwined with the well-being of our communities. Together, let us take collective action to preserve these invaluable ecosystems, ensuring a harmonious balance between nature and human existence.
Captions for Images
Image 1: photo by: African wetland scene © Jacques Trouvilliez, Two people crossing a wetland.
WORLD WETLAND DAY – NURTURING HUMAN WELL-BEING
By Ashley Malepe
To be released on the 2nd of February 2024
On the 2nd of February 2024, as the world anticipates the predictions of a groundhog, we, at the Southern African Development Community – Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI), stand united in celebrating a lesser-known yet vital event – World Wetlands Day. This occasion prompts us to reflect on the symbiotic relationship between wetlands and human well-being, a theme that echoes the very core of our commitment to sustainable development in the SADC region. The theme of wetlands and Human well-being recognizes wetlands as critical to people and nature and indeed highlights the vital role that wetlands play not just from an ecological perspective but also in terms of the benefits they provide for sustainable development and human well-being.:
Wetlands, often hidden treasures in our landscapes, are indispensable as dynamic ecosystems that seamlessly bridge terrestrial and aquatic environments. These natural wonders, encompassing marshes, swamps, and bogs, act as nature’s water purifiers, safeguarding the quality of our water resources. Beyond this, wetlands emerge as crucial habitats, nurturing a rich biodiversity that forms the intricate tapestry of life. Given their importance, the conservation and wise use of wetlands is recognized globally, including by the Ramsar Convention – an international treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
In Africa, the tale of wetlands is a nuanced narrative of resilience and vulnerability. Recent statistics, sourced from reputable studies such as the Ramsar Convention’s Global Wetland Outlook 2021, reveal that approximately 35% of wetlands in Africa have faced degradation due to urbanization and agricultural expansion, threatening their ecological integrity. As stewards of the environment, we must confront the reality that the degradation of wetlands jeopardizes the very fabric of our interconnected ecosystems.
In Southern Africa alone, wetlands continue to be degraded and lost through conversion to agriculture and other uses, and yet they are supposed to be the lifeline for communities, providing sustenance to the considerable population in our region, and supporting livelihoods, through agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Recent research, including data from the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), indicates that nearly 25% of our wetlands have experienced significant degradation, impacting the delicate equilibrium of our ecosystems, and the urgency of conservation becomes more apparent. One of the major constraints to the sustainable management of wetlands in the region is that wetland users and decision-makers have an insufficient understanding of the consequences of alternative management and policy regimes on wetland functioning, ecosystem services, and human well-being.
Globally, the interconnectedness of wetlands to human well-being is highlighted by staggering numbers. Over 1 billion people depend on wetlands, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), conservation of these vital ecosystems is not just a regional concern but a shared responsibility that transcends borders.
The urgency in addressing the conservation of wetlands indeed represents a call to action to both the public and experts in various fields. Both the public sector and businesses are urged to join hands in conserving wetlands for sustainable development. Therefore, it is imperative for everyone – not just environmentalists or biologists – to engage in the conservation of wetlands. Governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals all have a role to play. This can include supporting and implementing policies that protect wetland areas, engaging in restoration projects, reducing pollution, using resources sustainably, raising awareness, and contributing to scientific research.
Wetlands are the heartbeat of our planet, providing us with clean water, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Conservation of wetlands is not just about protecting nature; it is an investment in our future, ensuring that these natural resources continue to sustain life and contribute to the well-being of the planet and future generations.
As World Wetlands Day dawns upon us, let us reflect on our role as custodians of the environment. At SADC-GMI we remain steadfast in our commitment to sustainable groundwater management, recognizing that the health of our wetlands is intertwined with the well-being of our communities. Together, let us take collective action to preserve these invaluable ecosystems, ensuring a harmonious balance between nature and human existence.
South African women return home from their swampland farm. One of Africa’s biggest and endangered wetland areas is battling to find the fine balance between saving the planet and saving the poor. Swamplands and vegetation in the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, a 260,000-hectare protected area in eastern South Africa, is being battered by impoverished local communities dependent on nature’s resources to survive. “It is a very, very complicated situation,” said ecologist Jan Sliva, who attended an international workshop on wetlands and poverty reduction in South Africa. “There is a huge dependence from the local community. We need a flexible approach to try and solve this. Only with cooperation from the local community will it be possible”. A small part of the 220-kilometre (135-mile) St Lucia park is covered with peat swamp forests, formed through the accumulation of organic material in oxygen-poor soil. AFP PHOTO ALEXANDER JOE (Photo by ALEXANDER JOE / AFP)
