On February 2nd of each year the world celebrates its wetlands. This day marks the signing of the Convention on Wetlands that took place in the Iranian City of Ramsar in 1971. However, Wetlands Day was not celebrated until 1997. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness and appreciation of the significance of the wetlands and of their contributions to the world ecosystem.
The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2011 is “wetlands and forests – forests for water and wetlands” in celebration of the United Nations International Year of Forests.
Forests play a crucial role in the hydrological cycle and as a consequence, in the health of wetlands. Forested wetlands include habitats such as mangroves, nipah swamps, freshwater swamp forests, forested peatlands and seasonally flooded forests. These wetlands are important as they deliver significant ecosystem services, are cradles of biological diversity, and support populations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.
Wetlands are habitats that fall in the environmental spectrum between land and water. They lie at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Wetlands are highly productive communities and provide homes, food and resources for an extensive assortment of species. The high levels of nutrients coupled with the ready availability of water provide the perfect home for many plants and animals.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are made up of over 50% wetlands. The biological diversity found within these wetlands is irreplaceable. The TCI has many variations of wetlands; coastal regions, mangroves, seasonal freshwater ponds and marshes, Salinas, pine, palmetto, and buttonwood swamps and salt marshes.
Until recent decades, wetlands were largely considered disposable portions of land and very little thought of conservation and protection was placed on them. However, recently the invaluable services that wetlands provide have been realised. The wetlands of the TCI provide much more than just a habitat for plants and animals – they also act as a barrier for land protection, a natural filtering system, and flood protection.
As the population increased over the years, many wetland areas have been in-filled to accommodate homes, businesses and other infrastructural developments. The loss of wetland areas has adverse implications for both the natural and human environment in the TCI. With development expanding every day, wetlands are increasingly at risk.
This year, the DECR will conduct various activities that will promote environmental sustainability in the wetlands to ensure that wetlands will provide continuous service and productive functions of the wetland ecosystem.
One or more of the following activities will be spearheaded by DECR Grand Turk, South Caicos and Providenciales:
(1) red mangrove planting in areas with low population density;
(2) bird watching in wetlands;
(3) mahogany planting along roads;
(4) nature photography with emphasis on wetland ecosystem; and
(5) coastal cleanup.
The public (individuals or corporate groups) is invited to take part in the above-mentioned activities by contacting the local DECR office.
