|
|
What are wetlands?
Wetland ecosystems are diverse, both in terms of their physical characteristics and their geographical distribution.
Floodplains, marshes, deltas, swamps, peatlands, dambos and lakes are all types of wetland.
Wetlands are ecosystems whose formation, processes and characteristics are determined by water.
Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands are critical resources - they are important for providing
- regulating/ecosystem services
- provisioning/livelihood services and
- cultural services.
Through the provision of regulating services and products which generate socio-economic benefits, they are often vital to the livelihood strategies of local communities. These different services vary from site to site, especially with the type of wetland.
|
REGULATING SERVICES
- Water storage
- Groundwater recharge & discharge
- Flood control& river regulation
- Water purification
- Sediment retention
|
|
PROVISIONING SERVICES
- Water supply - domestic & animals
- Agriculture resources
- Fisheries
- Forage resources
- Craft materials
- Medicinal plants
|
|
CULTURAL SERVICES
- Biodiversity
- Cultural sites
|
Because wetlands are part of a wider hydrological system, the services and benefits they provide can play a key role in sustaining the livelihoods of communities and the survival of wildlife and biodiversity both in the catchment and downstream.
| Case study: Multiple functions and benefits from wetlands in East and Southern Africa
The tables below shows the range of uses and estimated beneficiaries of wetlands in two areas where Wetland Action staff have worked.
Wetland Uses in Illubabor, Ethiopia
| WETLAND USE |
BENEFICIARIES (% of Illubabor population) |
| Social / ceremonial use of sedges |
100% (including urban dwellers) |
| Thatching reeds |
85% (most rural households) |
| Crop guarding hut construction |
30% |
| Dry season grazing |
Most cattle owners (30% of population) |
| Water for livestock |
Most cattle owners (30% of population) |
| Cultivation |
25% |
| Domestic water from springs |
50 - 100% |
| Craft materials (palms & sedges) |
5% |
| Medicinal plants |
100% |
|
Ranking of Wetland Uses: Katema, Simlemba Traditional Authority, Malawi
Wetland uses |
Rank Men |
Rank Women |
Reasons for use |
Domestic Water |
1 |
1 |
Home / Domestic use |
Cultivation of crops |
2 |
2 |
Domestic consumption and cash sales. Income used for buying fertilisers for upland crops, clothes, other domestic requirements |
Livestock grazing |
3 |
|
Grazing and watering of livestock – sheep, cattle and goats |
Reeds |
4 |
|
Making mats for sale. Money used for buying food, purchases at local market-soap, salt, clothing and other household requirements |
Grass collection and use in tobacco drying sheds |
5 |
|
Sell tobacco to buy fertilisers, food, clothes, assets - such as bicycles, oxcarts, etc. |
Collection of Edible |
|
3 |
Indigenous vegetables and some edible tubers (chinaka) and wild fruits for domestic use |
Clay for smearing house walls |
|
4 |
Domestic use |
Top of page
|
