Why Wetlands Are Vital for Our Climate and Future

What Are Wetlands?

  Wetlands are the point where water meets land. They include ecosystems such as mangroves, marshes, peatlands, rivers and lakes, deltas, floodplains, flooded forests, rice-fields and coral reefs. Wetlands exist in every country and every climatic zone in the world and are extremely important habitats.

Why Are Wetlands Important?

  Wetlands can turn the tide on climate change.

  Peatlands cover just 3% of our world but store nearly a third of all land-based carbon.

  Coastal wetlands such as salt marshes, mangroves and seagrass beds are also some of the most carbon dense ecosystems on earth.

  Coral reefs and mangroves absorb the shock of storm surges and tsunamis in coastal areas. Wetlands inlands soak up rain, reducing flooding and delaying the onset of droughts. Wetlands are critical for climate adaptation and building resilience.

  More than a third of all wetlands globally have been lost over the last 45 years. Faster than forests. Coral reefs facing extinction due to rising sea temperatures.

Why Is Wetland Loss a Problem?

  Wetland loss releases stored carbon into the atmosphere contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures along with more extreme weather, flooding etc which the wetlands help to protect against. A vicious cycle.

  Burning and draining of peatlands accounts for a tenth of annual fossil fuel emissions…Mangroves. 

Wetlands in the UK

  Only around 20% of peatlands remain in their near-natural state. The remaining 80% have been modified by past or present management.

  A large range of impacts over the years has resulted in severe degradation of peat soil in the UK:

 Over grazing of livestock with associated trampling

 Populations of wild deer being too large or concentrated

 Burning of moorland as a management tool for grouse or livestock rearing – species loss

 Drainage to create space for agriculture

 Commercial mining of peat for horticulture, fuel and whisky production. Some permissions extend to 2042, however the government wishes to phase out the use of peat in agriculture by 2030 (House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, 2012) 

Benefits of Wetlands

 Biodiversity

 Climate regulation

 Culture and history

 Flood management

 Water quality

What Can We Do to Help?

 In the UK, buy peat-free compost

 Support charities – UK and global projects (e.g., Bangladesh project, RSPB, National Trust, Wildlife Trusts)

 Learn about Wetlands habitats

 Follow IUCN on Twitter

 Get involved with citizen science projects like IUCN Eyes on the Bog

Pet and Whisky

  Peat is burnt and barley infused with its smoke during the malting process to create the distinctive flavour that has made Scotch famous across the globe.

  But the Scottish government has a target to restore 40% of Scotland's peatland by 2030 as part of its drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Sources and Further Reading

Wetlands International – What Are Wetlands?

World Wetlands Day – Wetlands as a Natural Solution to Climate Change

UK Parliament Report – The Future of Peatland Management

IUCN UK – Peatland Benefits Explained

The Wildlife Trusts – Wetlands Habitats Overview

IUCN UK – Eyes on the Bog Citizen Science Project

The Times – How Peatland Restoration Could Impact Whisky Production

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) – Conserving Wetlands and Wildlife