THE NEW BIODIVERSITY BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION (BBNJ TREATY

A tall mangrove stand located close to the mouth of the Blue River

WETLANDS NOT A WASTELAND

Written By: Attish Kanhai

Wetlands are areas where “water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season”, as per the definition of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Examples include both natural and man-made sites including lakes, swamps, marshes, mangroves, salt pans, tidal flats and reservoirs. The theme for 2022 world wetlands day is “Wetlands Action for People and Nature” which is aimed at drawing attention to the sustainable use of wetlands and the need for conservation efforts.

Wetlands provide a range of ecosystem services such as in water security, nurturing complex ecosystems and protection against flooding and storm surges. They also help fight climate change and prevent soil erosion. Wetlands also act as carbon stores, and form one of the most important sinks for greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.

Wetlands also form the basis of many fish populations acting as nurseries for spawning and growth of juvenile fish. For example mangrove roots and seagrass leaves provide food and protection for juvenile fish against predators. The dead leaves of plants break down into smaller particles of organic material forming detritus, which is a major food source for small aquatic invertebrates, shellfish and forage fish with are food for larger predatory fish. These larger fish are then consumed by people.

While these services are gaining traction globally, what happens on the ground is far removed from this narrative. Wetlands can often be hotbeds for nefarious activities, indiscriminate pollution, and can be seen as a hindrance for coastal development. Often times in the competition for coastal resources and space, wetlands are removed for urban development. Coastlines are prized for their scenic views giving rise to expensive waterfront properties. The accessibility of coastlines also makes them ideal for the shipping and transportation sector. Competition for space is far from the only challenge faced by wetlands.

It is common to see the ubiquitous plastic pollution among these sensitive ecosystems. They are also at the mercy of upstream activities and land based sources of pollution. The conservation of wetland ecosystems requires more than just creating nature reserves in the immediate area that house these sensitive environmental species. It is about managing upstream activities, accessibility and wise use of its resources, and managing the coastline for surrounding competing activities. One such method of management is known as the ridge to reef (R2R) concept. This concept involves managing all activities upstream of the coast (ridge), in order to mitigate the consequences past the coast (reef). For example sedimentation, nutrient pollution and plastic waste are all land based activities that have major consequences for freshwater, marine and wetland ecosystems, making their conservation essential.

Wetlands are more than just areas for indiscriminate dumping of garbage and other pollutants. Wetlands are more than a wasteland but an invaluable part of nature providing innumerable and irreplaceable ecosystem services.

Red mangroves Rhizophora mangle where Scarlet Ibis roost

Mangrove trees forming a canopy over the Blue River