Happy World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day, is celebrated every year on 02 February. On this day, in 1971, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) was signed in Ramsar, Iran.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated to to “raise awareness and understanding of what wetlands are and how we can contribute towards restoring them through making conscious choices, becoming persuasive voices and taking bold actions” (read more here).
What is a wetland?
A wetland is defined as the land which is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the
surface, or the land is periodically covered with shallow water, and which land in normal circumstances supports or would support vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soil (1).
Why is wetland restoration so important? Listed below are a few benefits of wetland restoration:
- Enhanced biodiversity
- Improve water supply
- Store carbon
- Reduced impacts from flooding
- Improve livelihoods
- Enhance well–being
- Protection of agricultural resources (1; 2)
Is your role in wetland restoration important?
Yes! Our individual and collective actions have an impact (1).
What can you as individual do to help protect and preserve wetlands?
- Participate in programs that help protect and restore wetlands.
- Report illegal actions such as unauthorized wetland fill or dredging activities to government authorities
- Pick up litter and dispose in appropriate trash containers. Keep surface areas that wash into storm drains clean from pet waste, toxic chemicals, fertilizers and motor oil, which can eventually reach and impair our wetlands.
- Use native species when planting trees, shrubs and flowers to preserve the ecological balance of local wetlands.
- Avoid wetland when you are expanding your house.
- Use phosphate-free laundry and dishwasher detergents. Phosphates encourage algae growth, which can suffocate aquatic life.
- Use non-toxic products for household cleaning and lawn and garden care. Never spray lawn and garden chemicals outside on a windy day or on a day that it might rain and wash the chemicals into waterways.
- Enjoy the scenic and recreational opportunities wetlands offer, while preserving their integrity for future generations by minimizing the use of heavy equipment and staying in designated visitor areas where available (3).
Did you know that the South African Prince Edward Islands (Prince Edward Island and Marion Island) is declared as Wetland of International Importance?
The Prince Edward Islands was declared Wetland of International Importance: Ramsar Site No.1688, on 22 May 2007. The conservation and management of this site falls within the responsibility of the Directorate: Southern Oceans and Antarctic Support of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Want to know about wetlands in South Africa?
Click on the posters to enlarge.
What’s been happening on Social Media
Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally. @UNEP @RamsarConv #GenerationRestoration #ForWetlands pic.twitter.com/6icY1H6mvw
— Environmentza (@environmentza) January 24, 2023
DID YOU KNOW: 35% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared in the last 50 years. @UNEP @RamsarConv @GovernmentZA @DWS_RSA #GenerationRestoration #ForWetlands pic.twitter.com/xKkjM26USN
— Environmentza (@environmentza) January 25, 2023
Sources:
1- https://www.worldwetlandsday.org/
2- https://www.dffe.gov.za/event/international/wetlandsday2013
3- https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/what-you-can-do-protect-coastal-wetlands
4- https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1688
5- https://alp.lib.sun.ac.za/handle/123456789/15327
6- https://blogs.sun.ac.za/antarcticlegacy/event/world-wetlands-day/
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 02 February 2023.
The 1st of August 2021 represents Africa’s first ever Marine Protected Area Day. “A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is an area of coastline or ocean that is specially protected for the benefit of people and nature The rich diversity of coastal and ocean ecosystems in South Africa are protected through a network of MPAs. Prior to 2019, there were 25 formally declared MPAs including 23 permanent coastal MPAs, including the large Prince Edward Islands (PEIs) MPA in the Southern Ocean. Thirty percent of South Africa’s territory in the Southern Ocean is protected by Prince Edward Islands MPA- 
Prince Edward Islands Marine protected Area is a “A volcanic sub-Antarctic wilderness teeming with hundreds of thousands of penguins, albatrosses, petrels and seals. The Prince Edward Islands are the jewels in South Africa’s island crown. They comprise of the larger Marion Island and the smaller Prince Edward Island, which were annexed by the South African navy in 1948. A permanent weather station has been in operation ever since that provides vital information needed to monitor weather and climate change in the Southern Ocean. The islands are home to unique plants and animals not found near the South African mainland. There are millions of penguins, albatrosses, petrels, seals and a transient group of killer whales. The MPA was proclaimed in 2013 and covers 30% of South Africa’s Southern Ocean territory, representing 80% of its ecosystem diversity. It protects the productive waters surrounding the islands, as well as important features such as seamounts. This ensures that the krill and fish stocks that top predators depend on are not overexploited. Historically, there was intense fishing for Patagonion toothfish, but this collapsed and has been restricted to two vessels to allow for their recovery. The terrestrial ecosystems are under threat from invasive house mice that were accidentally introduced in the 1800s. The 
