As a major source of employment globally, wetlands are ideally placed to deliver sustainable livelihoods. From rice farming to fishing, tourism to transport, wetlands host a diverse range of jobs that support entire communities. As water use increases, more and more people around the world are facing shortages. As this growing water crisis threatens both people and our planet, wetlands are more essential than ever. Wetlands are in trouble Wetlands have been taken for granted and undervalued for centuries.
Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. Learn more about threats to wetlands. Get closer to nature at one of our 10 wetland reserves. Visit our sites. Find out what WWT is doing to create, protect and restore wetlands. Discover our work. Swamps also protect coastal areas from storm surges that can wash away fragile coastline.
They tend to attract a lot of insects, which can spread disease; the sodden terrain can make traversing them on foot difficult; many swamps are prone to heavy fog because of all the water, which can make it easy to get lost; and some swamps are also inhabited by dangerous animals, such as alligators, crocodiles, and …. Swamp, wetland ecosystem characterized by mineral soils with poor drainage and by plant life dominated by trees.
The latter characteristic distinguishes a swamp from a marsh, in which plant life consists largely of grasses. Swamps are found throughout the world. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Social studies How are wetlands important to humans? Social studies. Ben Davis November 14, How are wetlands important to humans?
What is a wetland and why is it important? What characteristics of wetlands are important for humans quizlet? What are the characteristics of wetlands? How are wetlands important to wildlife? These areas provide food and shelter for many animals, in particular bird species such as herons, spoonbills and flamingos, and amphibians such as frogs.
Wetlands provide good areas for grazing, and the variety of grasses, along with a supply of running water, can be beneficial to farming livestock. Many different kinds of creatures depend on wetlands — and on each other. The insects that are attracted to the plants provide food for other animals like fish, frogs and birds, who in turn attract other predators. The biodiversity of wetlands has produced some incredible specialist species that are only found in these habitats.
Zeekoevlei, Rietvlei Wetland Reserve and Rondevlei Nature Reserve are all examples of wetlands in Cape Town that people are able to visit and where they can enjoy nature walks, picnics, birding, fishing or even sailing. As more people flock to cities, these recreational spaces in nature become even more valuable.
Medicines are extracted from their bark, leaves, and fruits, and they also provide tannins and dyes, used extensively in the treatment of leather," according to the World Wide Fund for Nature. In South Africa, most natural wetlands areas have been destroyed. In Cape Town, the remaining few are threatened by housing developments, agriculture, invasive flora and fauna, sewerage effluent and stormwater and agricultural run-off.
Rietvlei is a freshwater wetland on the floodplain of the Diep River, that drains into Milnerton Lagoon and finally into Table Bay. It comprises a permanent freshwater lake, shallow pans, extensive reedbeds and a tidal lagoon. Rondevlei Nature Reserve is home to around bird species, as well as a number of reptiles and mammals. The water body of Zeekoevlei covers approximately ha and has an average depth of about 3.
It is fed by the Little and Groot Lotus Rivers on the northern side and, in turn, empties into False Bay on the southern side. The Zandvlei wetland is an important habitat for birds, and has species on its official list.
It is also a vital home for amphibians and about 20 species of reptile such as tortoises, marsh terrapins, mole snakes and brown water snakes. Porcupines, grysbok, otters and mongoose can also occasionally be spotted. The Grand Vlei in Green Point has been preserved and incorporated into this fantastic park. Yet study after study demonstrates that wetland area and quality continue to decline in most regions of the world.
As a result, the ecosystem services that wetlands provide to people are compromised. Managing wetlands is a global challenge and the Convention presently counts countries as Contracting Parties , which recognize the value of having one international treaty dedicated to a single ecosystem.
The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. This includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.
0コメント