Wetland conservation is aimed at protecting and preserving areas of land including marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens that are covered by water seasonally or permanently due to a variety of threats from both natural and anthropogenic hazards. Some examples of these hazards include habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species. Wetland vary widely in their salinity levels, climate zones, and surrounding geography and play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem services, and support human communities.[1] Wetlands cover at least six percent of the Earth and have become a focal issue for conservation due to the ecosystem services they provide. More than three billion people, around half the world's population, obtain their basic water needs from inland freshwater wetlands.[2] They provide essential habitats for fish and various wildlife species, playing a vital role in purifying polluted waters and mitigating the damaging effects of floods and storms. Furthermore, they offer a diverse range of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, photography, and wildlife observation.[3]
- ^ Brinson, Mark M. (August 1993). A hydrogeomorphic classification for wetlands (Report). U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.
- ^ "Water Issue Brief" (PDF). www.iwmi.cgiar.org. 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "Why are Wetlands Important? - Wetlands (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2023-10-15.