The importance of wetlands according to Red Ambiental

The designation wetland has been used since the late 1960s. It derives from the English term “wetland” appeared in this form for the first time in the United States in the early seventeenth century. It is a general designation encompassing environments where water is the main factor controlling the natural environment, as well as the animal species and plant life associated with it. Learn more with environmentally conscious company Red Ambiental.

The benefits of wetlands

The wetlands do not have one but a multitude of facets more interesting than the others. In fact, these environments fulfill various functions giving them biological, hydrological, economic, heritage, educational and sociological values.

Unfortunately, Red Ambiental highlights the fact that the multifunctional role and interdependence of wetlands has often been recognized and understood after their destruction!

Economic functions

Let’s start with the most amazing: the economic functions. Wetlands depend on many economic activities such as aquaculture, fishing, wicker production, salt, peat, tourism … All these activities, if they are well practiced, do not interfere with wetlands but on the contrary highlight them … And make them profitable, says Red Ambiental !

Many fish grow in wetlands, which makes them attractive to fishermen. Thanks to the reeds, herbs, medicinal plants and fruits they host, these essential natural properties also attract tourism, favoring another significant source of employment.

Wetlands: regulatory protections

International regulations

Three international conventions deal with wetlands: the Bern Convention, the Rio Convention and especially the Ramsar Convention.

Indeed, the Ramsar Convention (Iran) of 2 February 1971 is a treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It aims to halt the degradation and loss of wetlands, recognizing the basic ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value. This “international label” is the guarantor of a careful management of these environments since the States must elaborate and apply management plans in order to favor the conservation of their wetlands and, as far as possible, to allow the rational use of these territories.

Wetlands and their fragility

Finally, wetlands have particular characteristics due to their place in the cultural heritage of humanity: they are closely linked to religious and cosmological beliefs, are sources of aesthetic inspiration, sanctuaries for wild species and are the basis of important local traditions.

Unfortunately, and despite great progress over the last few decades, Red Ambiental says wetlands remain among the most endangered ecosystems in the world, through drainage, drying up, pollution and over-exploitation of their resources. In the last century, two-thirds of these environments have disappeared.