Wetlands Day is observed on February 2 to recognize and celebrate the importance of wetlands to the world, and the diversity of life that they support. Wetlands can be a very small or a very large area where the land is saturated with water throughout the year.
Wetlands are one of the most misunderstood ecosystems. They have a lot of biodiversity, and large numbers of animals, plants, and birds live there. They are also very beneficial, preventing soil erosion and offering protection against flooding, among others.
History
Wetlands Day, popularly known as World Wetlands Day, was first organized by a group of environmentalists who wanted to celebrate and protect wetlands. The date, February 2, also marks the date when the Convention on Wetlands was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
This day is all about celebrating the importance of wetlands to the earth and everyone living on the planet. Environmentalists use this day to spread information about Wetlands, and what people can do to protect them.
Wetlands are areas that are flooded with water for the majority of the year, where life has evolved to exist in these flooded, oxygen-less conditions. Every single continent has its own wetlands. They perform a number of vital functions for the land.
Wetlands are the main source of groundwater refills. They are also the first line of defense against storms and typhoons. Wetlands purify water, and in some places, they are artificially constructed to purify industrial runoff water.
Wetlands are teeming with life, and are home to unique plants, fish, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and birds that can’t live anywhere else. However, wetlands are also extremely ecologically sensitive. They are the most easily affected by environmental changes and climate change. Even minor changes can prove catastrophic for wetlands, and all the life that is dependent on them.
The main aim of Wetlands Day is to spread information about how valuable wetlands are, and encourage people and governments to take action to prevent their loss. Recognizing this, the U.N. decided to formally institute World Wetlands Day on the day it had been celebrated by environmentalists, February 2.
Credit: National Today
