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Wetlands and Climate Change Adaptation brochure

This 6-page brochure demonstrates how wetlands in a healthy, intact condition can greatly contribute to attenuate the water related impacts of climate change. Due to their ability to store and slowly release water, these wetlands are a vital lifeline in periods of extreme droughtsWetlands International urges governments, development organisations and finance institutions to integrate wetlands into climate change adaptation strategies. .


Description:

Mangrove forests and coral reefs are natural buffers against impacts of sea level rise and storms. Marshes, peatlands and lakes reduce peak flood flows in periods of extreme rainfall or glacier melt. Due to their ability to store and slowly release water, these wetlands are a vital lifeline in periods of extreme droughts.

Magnifying the problem

All over the world, wetlands are being lost faster than any other ecosystem. This continuing trend considerably magnifies the problems that climate change brings to nature and people. Especially the poorest people that are also the most strongly dependent on the natural resources will suffer.

Cost-effective strategy

Sustaining and restoring wetlands form a cost-effective strategy for climate adaptation with strong benefits for
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation.


Related Action(s):
Green Coast - the Tsunami Response, Mali, Inner Niger Delta, Balancing water use for hydropower and biodiversity in Loktak Lake, India, Saving the Wular Lake, Kashmir while fighting flood and drought risks downstream, Mangrove replanting in Kuala Gula, Perak, Malaysia, Post-tsunami restoration of coastal ecosystems in the Maldives: restoration and education component, Poverty reduction in the Inner Niger Delta, Mali

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Publication

Rivers by Design

A step-by-step guide for planners, developers, architects and landscape architects on how to maximise the benefits of river restoration in development projects. Read more

Video

Why West Africa's Manatee deserves top CMS and CITES protection

The African Manatee is a member of the Trichechidae; a sirenian, mermaid-like sea cow that can grow up to 3 meters and weigh 500 kilograms. Wetlands International is calling for tougher protection measures to ensure the survival of this endangered species.

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Latest publication

Challenges to the integration of wetlands into IWRM: The case of the Inner Niger Delta (Mali) and the Lobau Floodplain (Austria)

The authors recognize that wetlands are poorly integrated in river basin management. Governments that endorsed the Ramsar Convention recognise the importance of the wetlands in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) using the "critical path" approach but is not wid... Read more

Presentation

The impact of subsidence: can peatland drainage be sustainable in the long term?

This presentation presents the impact of peat soil subsidence and discusses the issues of sustainability of peatland drainage activities.

Watch the presentation