The wonder of wetlands

Today marks the celebration of World Wetlands Day.

In the unenlightened past, wetlands were often seen as troublesome barriers that needed to be tamed, filled in and converted to something more "useful" to humanity. They were drained for agriculture and urbanisation, dams blocked off their water flow, they were used as dumps and were polluted and destroyed. This widespread destruction has led to wetlands becoming one of the most threatened habitats in the world, with an estimated 50 per cent of their total land area destroyed since 1900. Sadly, the practices of the "unenlightened past" continue all over the world today.

In fact, wetlands are one of the most important habitats in the world. They are extremely varied and can consist of anything from dense swamps and marshes, coastal mangroves, impenetrable reed beds, open lakes, river deltas, vast mudflats, shallow pools, salt pans and volcanic crater lakes. Wetlands are everywhere and have been a critical aspect of human evolution since the dawn of time.

We are slowly coming to realise the true importance of wetlands and the many vital roles they play. Wetlands provide a critical habitat and refuge for a wide array of biodiversity, from fish to insects, plants to birds. This makes wetlands among the most species-rich habitats in the world, on a par with tropical rainforests. They are some of the most popular areas for recreation, from canoeing to bird-watching to camping. In certain parts of the world, they form the very basis of existence for indigenous tribes who utilise every aspect of wetlands for their very survival.

Furthermore, wetlands play critical roles in water storage and the moderation of floods, storm surges and tidal damage, protecting both natural habitats and human habitation alike.

Indeed, in coastal regions the destruction of wetlands for human settlements or shrimp farms has left vast areas vulnerable to the devastating power of tsunamis and hurricanes. Witness the effects of the 2004 tsunami in south-east Asia, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. With huge stretches of coast no longer having the protection of coastal mangroves, they were horribly exposed to the full brunt of storm surges and tidal waves.

Due to their importance to biodiversity and humanity, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat was signed on February 2, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar (which is why February 2 was chosen for the annual World Wetlands Day). Now commonly known as the Ramsar Convention, it aims to list wetlands of international importance and promote their wise use in an effort to ultimately protect and preserve the world's wetlands. Most countries have now signed up to the Ramsar Convention, which to date has 157 parties and covers 1,708 wetland sites, totalling 153 million hectares.

One does not need to go to the vast Pantanal of Brazil, or the Okavango Delta in Botswana, to experience the beauty of wetlands. Despite its small size, Malta has two Ramsar wetlands - Simar and Għadira nature reserves. Both protect different wetland ecosystems, with Simar encompassing one of Malta's only reed beds and Għadira being one of the largest expanses of inland open water on the islands.

A trip to either of these reserves, at any time of the year, is a rewarding experience. Moorhens scud about on the water, feeding and breeding in these sanctuaries, safe from harm. Dragonflies zip about, butterflies waft by, small insects drift about in animated clouds.

Frogs peer suspiciously from the water's edge, while killifish and eels lurk below the water's surface. During peak migration periods, the reserves are often full of birds, resting and building up energy reserves as they use Malta as a key resting site on their way between African wintering and European breeding grounds.

Today being World Wetlands Day, why not pay a visit to one of Malta's very own wetlands? This is not just a body of water but a flood storage unit, a home for migratory birds, a tourist attraction, a part of Malta's natural heritage and a truly spectacular landscape all rolled into one wet, watery experience. It is time to really appreciate the value of wetlands, both in terms of their biodiversity value and all the many roles they play in keeping humanity alive.

Dr Raine is conservation manager at BirdLife Malta.