Coastal Wetlands are our natural frontline defences against storms and tidal waves. They slow down the speed of the wind. The roots of the plants bind the land together like sponges reducing both the height and force of flood waters.

With sea levels rising due to climate change we need Coastal Wetlands to stay in-tact and not be trapped between the sea on one side and over-developed and drained land on the other. We’re seeing shallow wetlands being swamped and some species of trees being submerged and drowned under water. Yet at the same time, other Coastal wetlands are being destroyed through drought.

It would be more cost effective to restore the natural shoreline protection afforded by Coastal Wetlands than to purely focus on only maintaining and upgrading existing engineered defences. Our natural systems were created to support life. If we preserved our wetlands we’d save both the money being spent and improve our biodiversity – it’s a win/win for everyone.

We understand why Coastal Wetlands are so attractive to developers. The rich quality of the land is what makes it fertile for agriculture and plentiful for urbanisation but without these natural ecosystems we leave ourselves vulnerable.  With the global population set to increase to nine billion by 2050, increasing pressure on water resources and the threats posed by climate change, the need to maximise our sources of clean water has never been more urgent.

Hundreds of thousands of hectares of wetlands have been drained for agriculture. When land is turned over to farming the drainage and run-off from fertilized crops introduces high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous nutrients into the water, that’s why toxic pollutants such as pesticides are likely to be one of the most serious threats to biological diversity and human well-being during our lifetime. Coastal Wetlands lock up pollutants in their sediments, soil and vegetation cleansing our water. They store and purify water and replenish underground water sources. They literally clean up our water so we can drink, wash and cook.

The way we manage water has a huge impact on all our lives. When surface or groundwater is removed through changing the flow of the water from its usual course and diverted through dams, dykes and canals it can detrimentally affect existing ecosystems. Water has become over-abstracted due to the demand from agriculture and urban development.

We need to use smart agriculture and environmental measures. Sustainable irrigation will reduce water consumption in farming and tourism and will reduce pollution. To protect ourselves and our habitats we should introduce policies that propose the creation of buffer zones in the areas that affect water supplies, where only organic agricultural practices, as well as sustainable agricultural practices will be allowed. We need to support countries who choose not to build dams in the interest of conservation by compensating them. We must grant Coastal Wetlands clear and effective legal protection.

When you step into the wilderness of Coastal Wetlands you’ll discover its home to a vast array of plants and wildlife.  A breeding ground for fish, invertebrates and water birds which often occur in huge numbers.

Sadly, overfishing, illegal poaching and unsustainable hunting practises endanger our wildlife, as well as the invasion of alien species upsetting the natural balance of the native flora and fauna of Coastal Wetland ecosystems. We need to preserve these precious spaces of the natural world.

If we called for better enforcement of the laws and rules against hunting and overfishing, actively monitored sites against poaching, and invested more in restoring these habitats we’d be keeping them on the map for future generations.

It is estimated that 660 million people depend on wetlands for their livelihood and that 70 Billion dollars-worth of goods and services are at stake if wetlands aren’t preserved. Coastal Wetlands are the source of countless products. Two-thirds of the fish we eat are dependent on Coastal Wetlands during their life cycle. Wetlands produce is harvested, bought, sold and bartered all over the world, from fish, to building materials, to medicines. An estimated 20,000 medicinal plant species are currently in use. When wetlands are lost it is the local population who bears the greatest cost but we all lose.

Tourism is both a challenge and a benefit to life in Coastal Wetlands. Tourists can generate income and benefit the local economy. Sustainable management and eco-tourism can benefit both nature and local economies. But unsustainable tourism and damaging developments cause loss, noise, destruction and litter.

It doesn’t have to be like this. Coastal Wetlands offer world class experiences of culture and heritage passed down through the centuries. Some Coastal Wetlands are World Heritage sites. Conservation conscious visitors will experience a vast array of agricultural and fishing practices, salt harvesting techniques and traditional and artisanal crafts that don’t exist anywhere else.

Coastal Wetlands can be managed to the benefit of people and nature. It is very important to involve local communities and stress how crucial it is to support environmentally responsible tourism. When environmentally conscious visitors respect the natural habitats they visit they contribute to the conservation of a great number of traditional cultural practices and boost local economies. We want to see Coastal Wetlands not just survive but thrive.