What is a wetland and why is it important?

Why are wetlands important? Wetlands associated with streams and rivers slow down floodwaters by acting as giant shallow pans. Water flowing into these pans loses speed and spreads out. Plants in the wetland play an important role in holding back the water.

Similarly, What is the meaning of Ramsar site?

A video on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. A Ramsar Site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance. These wetlands are protected under strict guidelines of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Additionally, Why is the wetland important? Not only do wetland ecosystems support a host of animal and plant life – but they are critically important for the survival humans too, from the mitigation of Climate Change to the protection of human settlements from floods. If we protect wetlands, we also protect our planet and ourselves.

What are the 5 main purposes of a wetland?

Wetlands provide many societal benefits: food and habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; water quality improvement; flood storage; shoreline erosion control; economically beneficial natural products for human use; and opportunities for recreation, education, and research (Figure 28) …

What are 5 benefits of wetlands?

What are the benefits of wetlands?

• Improved Water Quality. Wetlands can intercept runoff from surfaces prior to reaching open water and remove pollutants through physical, chemical, and biological processes. …
• Erosion Control. …
• Flood Abatement. …
• Habitat Enhancement. …
• Water Supply. …
• Recreation. …
• Partnerships. …
• Education.

Why Wetlands are called Ramsar sites?

It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971.

Which is the Ramsar site in India?

It is named after the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the Caspian Sea, where the treaty was signed on February 2, 1971. The 46 Ramsar sites in India include the Chilika Lake in Odisha, Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, Harike Lake in Punjab, Loktak Lake in Manipur and Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir.

Which is the first Ramsar site in India?

3- Chilika Lake (Orissa) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were recognized as the first Ramsar Sites of India.

What are 3 reasons why wetlands are important to ecosystems?

Wetlands are important because they:

• improve water quality.
• provide wildlife habitat.
• maintain ecosystem productivity.
• reduce coastal storm damage.
• provide recreational opportunities.
• improve the water supply.
• provide opportunities for education.

What are three important things wetlands can do?

Functions & values of wetlands

• Water purification.
• Flood protection.
• Shoreline stabilization.
• Groundwater recharge and stream flow maintenance.

Why wetlands are very important for mankind?

Wetlands are vital for human survival. … Wetlands are indispensable for the countless benefits or “ecosystem services” that they provide humanity, ranging from freshwater supply, food and building materials, and biodiversity, to flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation.

What are 3 reasons wetlands are important?

Wetlands are important because they:

• improve water quality.
• provide wildlife habitat.
• maintain ecosystem productivity.
• reduce coastal storm damage.
• provide recreational opportunities.
• improve the water supply.
• provide opportunities for education.

What are 3 important things wetlands can do that make them worth protecting?

Wetlands provide habitat for thousands of species of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals. Wetlands are valuable for flood protection, water quality improvement, shoreline erosion control, natural products, recreation, and aesthetics.

What are the functions of wetland ecosystem?

Wetlands help slow water flows, reducing downstream soil erosion. Some wetlands, particularly those on floodplains and in coastal areas, function in aiding flood control by storing excess water during storm events. Many wetlands temporarily store water, allowing it to percolate into the ground or evaporate.

What are 10 benefits of wetlands?

The ‘ecosystem services’ – the benefits people obtain from ecosystems – provided by wetlands include:

• Flood control.
• Groundwater replenishment.
• Shoreline stabilization & storm protection.
• Sediment & nutrient retention and export.
• Water purification.
• Reservoirs of biodiversity.
• Wetland products.
• Cultural values.

Which is the largest benefit of wetlands?

Wetlands improve water quality in rivers and streams. they are valuable filters for water that may eventually become drinking water. One of the most valuable benefits of wetlands is their ability to store flood waters.

How are wetlands beneficial to humans?

Today, we know that wetlands provide many important services to the environment and to the public. They offer critical habitat for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife, they purify polluted waters, and they help check the destructive power of floods and storms.

What are Ramsar sites Why are they important?

It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources. Ramsar identifies wetlands of international importance, especially those providing waterfowl habitat.

What is a wetland according to Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar treaty broadly defines wetlands as: “… areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.” (

How are Ramsar sites designated?

A Wetland of International Importance (‘Ramsar Site’) is identified by demonstrating that it meets at least one of the nine qualifying criteria (Figure 2). The criteria are based on representative, rare or unique wetland types; important ecological communities; as well as a wide range of wetland dependent species.

How many Ramsar Sites are there in India in 2021?

As of August 2021 there are 46 Ramsar wetland sites in India.

Which state has maximum Ramsar sites in India?

Largest and Smallest and Oldest Ramsar Sites of India

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4 juil. 2021

How many Ramsar Sites are there in 2021?

Ramsar identifies wetlands of international importance, especially those providing waterfowl habitat. As of July 2021, there are currently 2424 Ramsar sites around the world, protecting 254,603,549 hectares (629,139,070 acres), and 171 national governments are currently participating.