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
31 Wetland types in Malaysia
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
31 Wetland types in Malaysia
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
• 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
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
Wetland benefits and functionsWetlands ecosystem services
• 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
Nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production, carbon sequestration & storage
Wildlife habitat
Spawning ground/nursery
Wetland benefits and functionsWetlands ecosystem services
• 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
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