WETLAND
Wetland
Wetlands are āareas of marsh, fen, peat land 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 metersā (Ramsar Convention, 1971).
The Ramsar Classification of Wetland Types includes 42 types of wetlands, which belong to one of the three broad categories (Ramsar Convention Secretariat, 2011):
Wetland Ecosystem Services Provided in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Enhancing carbondioxide in natural werland through restoration effects especially peatland
Providing natural carbon capacity e.g., mangroves, sea-grasses, peatlands
Reduce the risk of impacts from extreme events like flood and cyclone
Fullfill increased need for local climate regulation
Reduce the effect of rise by establishing a coastal natural defence system
Biotic Threats
Predation by non-native species disrupting the natural balance.
Overgrazing by herbivores leading to habitat degradation.
Competition for resources among native and non-native species.
Uncontrolled discharge of Waste Water, Industrial Effluents, Surface Run-Off Etc.
Habitat fragmentation reducing connectivity and species diversity.
Abiotic Threats
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01Encroachment resulting in shrinkage of area.
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02Anthropogenic pressures resulting in habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity.
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03Hydrological intervention resulting in Loss of aquifers.
Wetlands And Climate Change
Wetlands play a key role in buffering the effects of climate change, thereby supporting climate adaptation and resiliency (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005). Indeed, vegetated and healthy wetlands are among the most effective sinks for carbon on the planet. However, this potential is underappreciated in current policy discussions. The carbon sequestration capacity of wetlands is highly variable among different ecosystems, as is their hydrology and productivity. However, among these, sea grass beds (Blue carbon) are known to be very important carbon sinks.
Wetlands are among the ecosystems that are most strongly impacted by even small changes in climate and resulting changes in hydrological regimes, in particular through sea level rise and decreased surface and ground water levels.