February 2, World Wetlands Day, is not a day for celebration, but a desperate call for the survival of these vital ecosystems. While the world worries about deforestation, a silent tragedy is unfolding at three times the rate: the disappearance of wetlands.
We have lost 80% since 1700, and an alarming 35% in the last 50 years.
Why should you care? Because wetlands are much more than swamps. They are the cradle of life, home to 40% of the planet's species, the source of fresh water for 4 billion people, and the basis of crops like rice, which feeds nearly half the world's population.
A diverse ecosystem in danger
Imagine a giant sponge that regulates water, a natural filter that purifies what we drink, a carbon store more effective than forests, and a shield against floods and storms: that's what wetlands are. Their importance encompasses several vital aspects for the planet, ranging from the conservation of biodiversity to the provision of water and even the mitigation of the effects of climate change. Some of their functions are:
Biodiversity in its purest form: 40% of the planet's species depend on these ecosystems. Many of them are endemic, which means that they only exist there. Their disappearance is an irreparable loss to global biodiversity.
Vital connectivity: Wetlands are like ecological highways that connect different habitats, allowing species to move, reproduce, and maintain their genetic diversity. Without this connectivity, the health of ecosystems weakens.
Natural barriers to disasters: They act as natural walls against floods and storms. They absorb excess water, protecting communities and cities.
The planet's carbon lungs: Wetlands, especially peatlands, store up to 55 times more carbon than rainforests. Protecting them is key to fighting climate change.
Water for life: They filter and purify water, ensuring its quality for human consumption. Without wetlands, our water security is at risk.
Economic livelihood: More than a billion people depend on wetlands for their livelihoods. Fishing, agriculture and tourism are just a few examples.
The silent threats
Despite their importance, wetlands are under siege. Runaway urbanization, pollution, climate change, and invasive species are the main threats.
Cities devouring wetlands
Urban expansion and infrastructure construction are destroying these ecosystems at an alarming rate. For example, the expansion of the city of Buenos Aires and the advance of industrial agriculture are threatening the wetlands of the Paraná Delta in Argentina, one of the largest in South America. It is estimated that up to 20% of its original area has been lost.
Similarly, the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta wetland in Colombia, the largest lagoon and estuary complex in the Colombian Caribbean, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1998, has been affected by uncontrolled urban and tourist development that has reduced its surface area and altered its hydrological characteristics.
Pollution, the silent poison
Industrial waste, plastics, and chemicals poison the water and soil, affecting wildlife and the health of these ecosystems and the people who inhabit them.
In Brazil's Guanabara Bay, pollution from sewage and industrial waste from the city of Rio de Janeiro is seriously affecting the bay's mangroves and other coastal wetlands.
The same is happening at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. This beautiful lake, surrounded by volcanoes and home to indigenous communities, suffers from pollution from agricultural pesticides and fertilizers, as well as untreated sewage.
Climate change, the perfect storm
Rising sea levels, droughts and extreme weather events threaten to destroy coastal wetlands and disrupt their functioning. A case in point is what is happening in Colombia's páramos. These high mountain ecosystems, vital for water regulation and biodiversity, are highly vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall threaten their survival.
Another case in point is the Pantanal in Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. The world's largest wetland has been affected by extreme droughts and devastating fires in recent years, phenomena that have been exacerbated by climate change.
Invasive species, unfair competition
Exotic species that do not belong in these ecosystems displace native species and alter the natural balance. A clear example of this is the case of the lionfish in the Caribbean. This invasive species, native to the Indo-Pacific region, has caused serious damage to coral reefs and other marine ecosystems in the Caribbean, including coastal wetlands.
The same is happening with water hyacinth in the Río de la Plata. This invasive aquatic plant, native to South America, has proliferated in the Río de la Plata, affecting navigation, fishing and the biodiversity of its associated wetlands.
These are just a few examples of the many threats facing Latin America's wetlands. It is important to remember that these ecosystems are vital to the region, providing fresh water, food, flood protection, and a wide range of ecosystem services. Protecting them is essential for the well-being of human communities and the conservation of biodiversity.
"Healthy wetlands are critical for climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity and human health. However, unsustainable development, pollution and climate change continue to threaten these essential ecosystems," warns Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary-General of the Convention on Wetlands.
Wetlands Restoration and Protection: A Call to Action
Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary-General of the Convention on Wetlands, issues an urgent call to action: "Healthy wetlands are fundamental to our future. We must act now to protect them".
What can we do?
Restore: Restoring degraded wetlands is an investment in our future.
Legislate: We need stronger laws to protect these ecosystems.
Educate: Awareness is the first step toward change.
Engage communities: The people who live near wetlands are their best protectors.
World Wetlands Day 2025 has a clear message: "Protect wetlands for our shared future." This year also marks the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Zimbabwe, where critical decisions will be made to protect wetlands.
If you want to know more about wetlands, you can check out our project with the International Convention on Wetlands (RAMSAR) to empower people in protecting these valuable ecosystems.
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