Introduction
Wetland conservation is a procedure that aims at preserving and protecting certain areas where there is existence of water or near the surfaces of the earth including the bogs, swamps and the marshes. Six percent of the earth is at least covered by wetlands and they have become a very significant issue for conservation due to the beneficial provision of ecosystem services. About a half of the population on earth (more than 3 billion people) acquire the basic water services from inland wetlands with freshwater. Those are the same number of individuals who rely on staple foods such as rice which is a crop that is grown highly on artificial and natural wetlands in different parts of the globe. There are certain areas of the globe such as Tanzania in an area known as Kilombero where the whole local population relies on wetland in terms of their livelihood cultivations. There are major functions that lead to maintenance and protection of wetlands. Their major performance includes biological productivity, provision of habitat for the wildlife, storage of water and filtration. All these are very critical benefits to the human race and the wild life as well and this as become a very important reason that has encouraged different programs to be created in order to concentrate on the preservation and protection of wetlands worldwide.
Functions of Wetlands
Wetlands contain various functions to the human environment and wild animals as well. In many cases wetlands are well known for the function of filtration which includes removing of excess nutrients and water slowing which enables settlement of particulates from the water which is there after absorbed in the roots of plants. According to various studies it is evident that 95% of nitrogen and 92% of phosphorus are effectively removed from water that is passing generally through a wetland. Wetlands are also said to allow pollutants stick and settle to particles of soil adding to seventy five percent runoff sediments. Heavy metals have even been found accumulating in some wetlands at a level of 100, 000 times that of the concentration of the surrounding waters. With lack of these functions, most of the water ways will increase on their load of pollutant and nutrient which can lead to high concentration of isolated deposit down the line. The best given example of this is the dead zone in Mississippi an area where excess algae has been formed due to excess nutrient which end up creating hypoxic conditions and using up of all oxygen leaving very low oxygen levels. The wetlands are therefore used to filter and absorb all the bacteria from the water that is considered harmful.
Preservation and Promotion of Natural Wetlands
It is important when you are managing a wetland to remember the thing of working with what you have. For those individuals who own wetlands, the most significant means of managing their wetlands include maintaining and protecting the functions that it serves as an hand off approach. This approach does not mean that the owner is actively changing the wetland major components in order to modify the natural functions it gives but means that the owner is conscious of some of the potential threats that the wetland could face and therefore trying to manage the threats. It is evident that if a wetland is protected from various potential threats then it will end up protecting itself and give back in return many beneficial functions.
The best and simple way that wetland owners use in protecting their wetlands is to avoid indulgence in hydrologic modifications or in changes in land use. Also, there are so many owners of land who engage in activities of low level enhancement or do additional things to ensure long term protection of their wetlands. In most cases our thoughts on the activities we can do to give protection to our wetlands is quite limited to certain activities within the wetlands. It is important to know that most of the management activities that can be taken by landowners can occur outside the boundaries of the wetlands.
In 1971, the Wetlands of International Importance Convention (Ramsar) was signed in Iran most especially as Waterfowl Habitat and it was brought to force in 1975 December. This convention gives the framework on the action to be taken both internationally and nationally for the wetlands wise use and conservation and also their resources. Ramsar convention is said to be the only treaty that deals with particular ecosystem and by 2008 December it had around one hundred and fifty eight parties. Many wetlands were registered by the year 2008 adding up to around 1822 from different parts of the world and they all added together covered 168 million hectares. The parties which are registered to the convention are known to commit themselves in carrying certain activities such as designating at least one site that will meet the criteria for Ramsar list and also making sure that there is proper maintenance of ecological characters of each site in Ramsar; they also ensure conservation of wetlands which are within land use planning so as to enhance promotion on the better uses of the wetlands located within that territory; establishment of wetlands nature reserves and promoting training in management and research on wetlands and finally consulting with other parties regarding the implementation of Convention especially with regard to water systems shared, transboundary wetlands and species shared.
Effect of Wetland Conservation in our Daily Lives
It is so clear that wetlands are very important in sustaining the daily human life and play a very huge role in our existence in the globe. The wetlands also pray a very huge role as the habitats for water birds and that is why wise use and conservation is emphasized primarily in order to broaden the scope. This help redirect the focus on the wetlands reflecting an increase in greater recognition of the significance of the wetlands as the known ecosystems that lead to both well being of humans and biodiversity of conservation. Wetlands are said to cover the earth’s surface by nine percent and they highly contribute to the economy of the globe in terms of agriculture, tourism, fisheries, forestry and water supply.
It is evident that naturally people are attracted to water, to inland wetlands and to coastal wetlands such as beaches and coral reefs and this strongly reflects the strong bond between the nature and people and also the significant aesthetic appeal to wetlands. In many wetlands, fisheries are said to be a critical source of income and proteins. The United States Food and Agriculture Organization mentions that from the inland waters the amount of catch added up to eight point seven metric tones million in the year 2002. More so, wetlands are said to produce fibre in addition to food materials, plants that produce medicine and also fuel. The wetlands are also said to provide ecosystems which are very valuable for birds and other aquatic creatures and thus help in reduction of floods impact, help in climate regulation and also in controlling pollution.
Over the past years, there are so many reasons which have come up giving the importance of wetlands conservation staring with the economic importance. Habitat of wildlife is very essential for also reasons of recreational opportunities apart from species conservation. It is true that in United States out of all shellfish and fish that is commercially harvested ninety five percent is dependent on wetlands. Wetlands have provided the best places which attract tourism. A good example is the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge which is known as a recreational destination for observing wildlife, fishing, hunting and photography and it is said to have very good management of wildlife. Some parts of this place are managed wetlands which give habitat for migratory birds including songbirds and waterfowl. In economic growth, the United States hunters who are said to be around fourteen million help generate fifty billion per year in excess. The Florida Keys is another example of a Wetland that generates revenue amounting to eight hundred million dollars per year in tourism income.
Wetlands are also very essential in biological productivity since they are capable of absorbing various nutrients which are said to be very high in biological productivity most especially ability to produce biomass fast. In plant productivity, freshwater wetlands are sometimes compared to tropical rain forest. Alternative sources of energy can be well developed from the wetlands ability to create biomass. Wetlands in the United States cover about five percent of the lands surface and give support to about thirty one percent of the plant species. Through nesting and feeding, the wetlands support up to half of the bird species in North America and these are activities which have highly helped enhance tourism in these areas thus increasing the revenues that promote economic growth in this country. As much as a lot of people lack to understand, it is clear and evident that wetlands play a very important part in human life and also that of the wildlife species and therefore contain a large impact.
Work Cited
Dugan, Dr Patrick and Patrick J. Dugan. Wetland Conservation: A Review of Current Issues and Required Action. Switzeland: IUCN, 1990.
Firehock, Karen. Handbook for wetlands conservation and sustainability. New York: Izaak Walton League of America, 1998.
Hillside County Community Center. Wetland Conservation and Protection. n.d. 1996. 28 November 2012
IISD. A Brief Introduction to Wetlands Conservation. n.d. 2009. 28 November 2012
