Why Are Wetlands Important? | Feat. Wetlands and Lakes in CALABARZON Philippines [INFOGRAPHICS]
Wetlands are the most productive habitats on earth, they support our social and economic development by storing clean water, keeping us fed, underpinning our global economy, providing nature a home, and keeping us safe from calamities.
Wetlands yield both ecological and socio-economic values for human beings and the environment. They give numerous direct and indirect benefits through their ecosystem services such as provision of food, source of freshwater, livelihood, recreation, education, and aesthetic value to a locality. Wetlands act as natural sponges which help control floods and release excess water in times of drought.
The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur is home to the Caimpugan Peatland, the only remaining intact peat swamp forest in the country which stores an estimated 22.9 million tons of carbon. Peatlands are wetlands whose peat soils consist of carbon-rich dead and decaying plant matter. Large amounts of carbon are locked away in peat soils, making them the largest terrestrial carbon store. Peatlands contribute a lot in carbon sequestration and in climate change mitigation.
Laguna de Bay, the country’s largest lake, provides an overview of how people directly benefit from a wetland’s ecosystem services. More than 13 million people live in Laguna de Bay’s basin enjoying benefits like having a stable food source; livelihood opportunities; and water for domestic use, irrigation, and power generation.
Likewise, Lake Lanao, the Philippines’ second largest lake, helps supply 55%-65% of Mindanao’s power needs through the Agus hydropower plants.
Unfortunately, wetlands have been regarded as wastelands over the years. They have been drained, leveed, channelized and converted to make way for farms, homes, and industries.
If we continue to lose our wetlands, our environment will suffer from loss of important and unique wetland biodiversity, increased carbon and methane emissions, and loss of natural freshwater filtration. These can consequently lead to water and food scarcity, increased exposure to flooding and effects of extreme weather events, and loss of livelihood.
Wetlands are NOT wastelands!
It is time to value our #wetlands and consider adopting nature-based solutions like wetland conservation in our localities for a greener, inclusive, more sustainable and resilient approach to build back better.
Why are wetlands important?
1. Provides protection from floods and storms
2. Store and clean water
3. Source of food
4. Source of income
5. Provides home for various species
Wetlands in CALABARZON
There are total of 20 wetlands in the Region
QUEZON
1. Lalaguna Marsh
2. Dagatan Lake
3. Ticub Lake
4. Gunao Lake
5. Pudao Lake
Batangas
1. Yellow Lake
2. Pansipit River
3. Taal Lake
Laguna and Rizal
1. Laguna Lake
Laguna
1. Alligator/Tadlac Lake
2. Cairaya Reservoir
3. Lumot Reservoir
4. Palakpakin Lake
5. Patola Lake
6. Pandin Lake
7. Bunot Lake
9. Lake Mojicap
10. Calibato Lake
11. Yamno Lake
Wetlands and water facts
End pollution in wetlands
New Research from Australia finds that metal contamination in wetlands suggests all other plants and animals are likely contaminated as well.
Why is it important to protect our Earth's wetlands?
Do you know that nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1700’s?
Wetlands are among the world’s biggest stores of carbon, provide abundant freshwater and are home to a variety of wildlife. Peatlands cover only 3% of the world but can absorb more carbon than all forests combined.
Wetlands provide multiple benefits for people and the planet. Flood control, freshwater and livelihoods are some of these benefits.
Water does not flow from the tap by magic. It has a source, Wetlands. It is time to value wetlands. To prevent the looming water crisis, we must STOP destroying and start restoring wetlands. Water, wetlands and life are inseparable!
2.2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water. Clean water is critical for a healthy life. Address and end pollution in wetlands. We will require 55% more water by 2050 for a global population of 10 billion people. Increase water efficiency and invest in water resource management that integrates wetlands. Restore Wetlands they are indispensable for freshwater. Less than 1% of water on Earth is usable freshwater and it is mostly stored in wetlands. We must value what wetlands do for life.
We face a water crisis with profound consequences and wetlands are at the heart of its resolution. Water use has increased sixfold in the past 100 years, and is growing by 1% each year By 2050, we will need 70% more food and 14% more water for agriculture for an estimated 10 billion global population. We must STOP destroying wetlands if we're to have enough water. Our water use has increased sixfold in 100 years and rises by 1% each year. Helps us Restore Wetlands.
Wetlands have an impact on people. Hundreds of millions of people in coastal areas face more threats from storms and floods due to mangrove, saltmarsh and seagrass loss!
Three reasons why we should restore wetlands
Peatlands, mangroves, saltmarshes, seagrass beds are among the most effective ecosystems for capturing and storing carbon.
📌Nearly 90% of the world's wetlands have been degraded
📌Less than 1% of water on Earth is usable freshwater and its mostly stored in wetlands
📌Wetlands are vital for water quantity and quality
Our Super Hero? The Super wetlands
Wetlands offer us protection from natural disasters:
☑️ They can buffer coastal communities against storms.
☑️ They can absorb up to 1.5 million gallons of floodwater.
Net, they can save our lives, that is why we have to restore wetlands!
And, do you know that wetlands can underpin economy?
YES! wetlands provide more than a billion jobs and services valued at $47 trillion a year.
Wetlands are also important for biodiversity. 40% of world's species live in wetlands, with 200 new fish species discovered in freshwater wetlands annually! Wetlands sustain life in supplying food and supporting food production; they give us much of the fish we eat, rice for 3.5 billion people and water for agriculture.
Wetlands are vital for water
Our 'blue' planet seems awash with water, but only 2.5% of water if fresh water, mostly stored in glaciers, snow caps or underground aquifers. Less than 1% of fresh water is usable, 0.3% is in rivers and lakes.
🌱Capture and store rainwater and replenish groundwater aquifers;
🌱Regulate water quantity and supply by releasing water at the right time to the right place in the right amounts; &
🌱Improve water quality by removing and absorbing pollutants
Water, wetlands and life are Inseparable! How well do you know your wetlands?
Nearly 90% have been degraded since 1700’s.
Do you actually know what wetlands are?
Wetlands can be:
➡️ Saltwater or freshwater
➡️ Inland or coastal
➡️ Natural or human made Wetlands
Water and wetlands are connected in an inseparable co-existence that is vital to life, our wellbeing and the health of our planet.
PLEASE ALSO WATCH:
The Importance of Philippine Forests - #savetheforest - Forest is Life
Help Save The Environment! Engage in Waste Management Best Practices & Advocacy
BIODIVERSITY: Why Its loss, Is Your Loss @Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
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