154 years have passed since in a day like today, in Ramsar (Iran), the Wetlands Agreement. An international agreement that aims to conservation and rational use of wetlands, implementing local, regional and national actions and promoting international cooperation, to contribute to a more sustainable development throughout the world.
Wetlands are vital ecosystems for human survival. They constitute one of the most productive environments in the world and are a source of biological diversity, water and primary productivity on which innumerable plant and animal species depend to subsist.
Although they only cover about 6% of the earth’s surface, they are the habitat of 40% of all species of plants and animals. Its biological diversity is crucial for human health, food supply, transport and economic activities that generate employment, such as fishing and tourism.
The services provided by wetlands to the mitigation of climate change, adaptation, biodiversity and human health overcome those of all other terrestrial ecosystems. It is estimated that the global value of ecosystem services of health wetlands, well -being and human security is 47.4 billion dollars a year.
Wetlands in danger
Despite their importance, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. According to Ramsar agreement data, almost 90% of the wetlands of the world have been lost since 1700, although the rhythm of disappearance was accelerated especially from the twentieth century. In fact, it is estimated that between 1970 and 2015 wetlands were reduced by approximately 35%.
The effects of climate change on wetlands are taking place faster than expected. The increase in sea level, the bleaching of corals and changes in hydrology are accelerating and arctic and mountainous wetlands are those that run the greatest risk of degradation and loss.
The situation in Spain
Spain has not been oblivious to these trends. In our country, most natural wet areas disappeared until the 60s and 70s of the last century were drained and transformed, mainly for agricultural use. It is estimated that in Spain at that time it had already disappeared between 60 and 70% of the original humid heritage surface, similar figures to those of other countries in our socioeconomic environment.
In Spain, there is an estimated heritage of at least 2,000 wetlands, according to the report of the Ministry for Ecological Transition ‘the current situation and perspectives of conservation and restoration of Spanish wetlands until 2030’. What makes our country the third with the largest number of wetlands, behind the United Kingdom and Mexico.
Of those ecosystems, 76 are included in the Ramsar agreement list of wetlands of international importance. Among those who include the Doñana National Park, the largest in Europe, the Tables of Daimiel, La Laguna de Gallocanta, the Albufera of Valencia, El Delta del Ebro and Mar Menor.
World Wetlands Day 2025
This year’s World Wetlands Day Campaign focuses on the protection of these ecosystems as a guarantee to ensure a common and global future for today’s and tomorrow generations.
This year, in addition, it is of special importance, since it coincides with the celebration of the conference of the contracting parties at the Convention on Wetlands (COP15), in which every three years representatives of the governments of each of the signatory countries are Gather – will be in Zimbabwe at the end of July – to facilitate fundamental debates on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Did you know that …?
· About 1 in 8 people earn a living in wetlands from different perspectives, since they provide food, water supply, transport and recreation.
· Research shows that wetland landscapes positively influence mental well -being.
· Along the coasts, wetlands protect 60% of humanity against storm tides, hurricanes and tsunamis.