Wetlands: Nature’s Hidden Treasures · Wetland benefits and functions. Wetlands ecosystem services •Aesthetics •Spiritual •Education ... Wetlands degradation and loss. Causes

Wetlands: Nature’s Hidden Treasures

What we think of when we talk about conservation

Wetlands = wastelands

• Wetlands International is the only global, non-for-profit organizationdedicated to maintaining and restoring wetlands — for theirenvironmental values as well as for the services they provide to people.

• Wetlands International was formed in 1996 and has a network of officesaround the world.

• We are deeply concerned about the rapid loss and deterioration ofwetlands such as lakes, swamps and rivers.

• We are driven by the knowledge that safeguarding and restoringwetlands are vital for water security, biodiversity, climate regulation,sustainable development and human well-being.

Who are we?Introduction to Wetlands International (WI)

Our VisionA world where wetlands are treasured and nurtured for theirbeauty, the life they support and the resources they provide.

Our MissionTo sustain and restore wetlands, their resources andbiodiversity.

Vision and Mission

Our offices

We connect technical knowledge, policy dialogue and practical projectsin the field to advocate among various stakeholders for better policiesand promote sustainable management of wetlands.

Using scientific knowledge makes us a well-trusted source ofinformation, while demonstration projects inspire people to act.

By connecting our work across offices and through partner networks,we combine local experiences and successes and increase our impacton national, regional and global policies, practices and investments.

What we do

Field surveysBiodiversity surveys

Field surveysMonitoring activities

Stakeholder engagementGovernment sector

Stakeholder engagementLocal communities

Capacity buildingGovernment

Capacity buildingCommunity

Awareness talks

Rehabilitation activitiesMangrove rehabilitation

Rehabilitation activitiesPeatland canal blocking

Publications

What are wetlands?

Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as “areas ofmarsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural orartificial, permanent or temporary, with water that isstatic or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, includingareas of marine water the depth of which at low tidedoes not exceed six meters”.

Wetlands are land that are coveredwith water – either seasonally orpermanently

In other words…

Marine and coastal zone wetlands

• Marine water (permanent shallow waters less than six metres deep at low tide, sea bays, straits)• Subtidal aquatic beds, seagrass, seaweed beds• Coral reefs• Rocky shores including rocky offshore islands, sea cliffs• Sandy beaches• Estuarine waters• Intertidal mud and sand flats• Coastal, riverine and brackish water mangrove swamps• Lagoons

31 Wetland types in Malaysia

Mangroves

Coral reefs

Inland or freshwater wetlands

• Seasonal and irregular rivers and streams• Riverine floodplains, includes flooded river basins, seasonally flooded grassland• Permanent freshwater lakes, includes large oxbow lakes• Seasonal freshwater lakes, floodplain lakes• Permanent freshwater ponds (> 8 ha)• Seasonal freshwater ponds• Marshland• Freshwater swamp and swamp forests, seasonally flooded forests• Peat swamp forests• Nipah forests• Melaleuca forests• Other swamps, sago swamps, riparian swamps, woodland swamps• Freshwater springs


Peatlands

Rivers

Man-made wetlands

• Water storage areas, reservoirs, barrages, hydro-electric dams• Aquaculture ponds, fish ponds, shrimp ponds• Excavations, mining pools• Wastewater treatment, sewage farms, settling ponds, oxidation ponds• Irrigated land and irrigation channels, rice field, canals, ditches• Other ponds, farm ponds, ash ponds, stock ponds• Constructed marshland, pond and lakes• Constructed saline lakes


Reservoirs

Paddy fields

Urban wetlands

Wetland ecosystem servicesWetlands benefits and functions

• Aesthetics• Spiritual• Education • Recreation

•Climate•Flood•Disease•Water purification & storage•Groundwater recharge•Natural hazard protection

• Nutrient cycling• Soil formation• Primary production• Carbon sequestration &

storage• Spawning ground &

nursery for fisheries• Wildlife habitat

• Food• Fresh water• Wood & fiber• Fuel• Genetic material

Provisioning Supporting

CulturalRegulating

Food and fresh water

Natural resources

Livelihood opportunities

Wetland benefits and functionsWetlands ecosystem services



• Nutrient cycling• Soil formation• Primary production• Carbon sequestration

& storage• Spawning ground

&nursery for fisheries• Wildlife habitat



CulturalRegulating

Why are wetlands important?

Wetlands act as spongesto temporarily store flood waters and release them slowly

Wetlands act as natural “kidneys” to filter out pollutants, sediments and nutrients

Provide protection along coastlines by buffering shoreline erosion and absorbing wave energy





& storage• Spawning ground &

nursery for fisheries• Wildlife habitat



CulturalRegulating

Nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production, carbon sequestration & storage

Wildlife habitat

Spawning ground/nursery





& storage• Spawning ground

&nursery for fisheries• Wildlife habitat



CulturalRegulating

Cultural

Education

Recreation

Recreation

Scientific research

FUN!

Wetlands degradation and loss

Causes of wetlands degradation & lossChanges to hydrological regime

Agricultural purposesCauses of wetlands degradation & loss

Causes of wetlands degradation & lossUrbanization

Causes of wetlands degradation & lossPollution

What happenswhen we lose ourwetlands?

Wetland degradation and loss

Healthy peat swamp forests

Susceptible to firesDifficult to put out

Peat fires

HAZE SEASON

Mangrove degradation

Loss of coastal protection - Tsunami 2004

Flooding

Flooding

Pollution and eutrophication

Drought

Water shortage

Degraded wetlands release carbon dioxide

Climate change

What can you do to conserve and protect wetlands?

Wetlands provide a sense of tranquility…

It may seem boring, monotonous…

…but it will surprise you when you least expect it

There is beauty in wetlands

But you need to look beyond the surface

Small wonders

Hidden wonders

Fleeting moments of wonder

• The message about wetlands and theirimportance is conveyed

• Creativity• Recyclable

What we would like to see in our posterCriteria for poster

• Change of general perception towards wetlands• Foster greater awareness on the importance of

wetlands• Inspire action to conserve and protect wetlands• Rethink habits or have a lifestyle change to be

more sustainable and environmental friendly

What we hope to achieve from the posters

• Wetlands are some of the most diverse and productiveyet underappreciated ecosystems

• There is still a lot to learn about wetlands• 90% of climate impacts are water related. Wetlands =

water• Wetlands play a crucial role in addressing climate

change impacts• The challenge we have – how do we put wetlands in the

minds of people?• It is not too late to take action!

Take home message

For more information:https://malaysia.wetlands.org/

Contact details:[email protected]

Documents

Wetlands: Nature’s Hidden Treasures · Wetland benefits and functions. Wetlands ecosystem services •Aesthetics •Spiritual •Education ... Wetlands degradation and loss. Causes