Wetlands cover a small percentage of the earth's surface, yet they are essential systems - they are the arteries and veins of the landscape. A world without wetlands would be a world without water, waterbirds and people. Read more...

Wetlands International - European Association has supported peatland restoration projects in Europe and beyond, working with local communities to promote sustainable land use options.

Why do we consider the world’s peatlands with their black acidic waters some of the most valuable treasures on earth? By safeguarding peatlands we can reduce millions of tons of CO2, prevent major flooding, save some of the most biodiverse areas in the world and ensure water security for millions of people.

Floodplains are nature’s flood storage areas, evolving to make space when a river is periodically in a flood state. Society has evolved alongside floodplains using their fertile soils and flat land. As a result, vast stretches of floodplains are heavily modified and have lost their natural functions.

Wetlands in upland and mountainous areas have an important role in regulating river flows and enhancing the quantity and quality of water downstream. They face an array of threats, including the rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change, overgrazing of livestock, water diversions for agriculture and hydropower, and increased pollution.

Wetlands such as rivers, streams, swamps, lakes, and estuaries play a critical role in supplying and regulating the quantity and quality of water. Water risks to society, including scarcity, droughts and floods, are increasing around the world. Conserving and restoring wetlands is a cost-effective investment strategy to increase water security.

How can people and nature survive at the edge of the Sahara Desert? For centuries wetlands in the arid Sahel region of Africa have provided lifelines for local people and wildlife. Yet these wetlands are shrinking. They are threatened by a changing climate, rapid population growth and increasing competition for water. We work to safeguard and restore these freshwater flows.

Considering that 23% of the world’s population and 60% of all megacities are located in lowland areas within 100 kilometres of the sea, coastal and delta wetlands are under increasing pressure. To prevent further decline we work with communities, government agencies and the private sector to monitor threats and develop practical on-the-ground conservation solutions.

Coastal wetlands provide millions of people with a vital source of income and protect them from the ravages of storms and floods. As such they are the basis for safety and of a prosperous economy in both cities and rural areas. By conserving and restoring these wetlands we work towards resilient coastal landscapes and the protection of their unique biodiversity.

Why are wetlands so important for waterbirds and people? In order to ensure the survival of millions of waterbirds migrating between Europe and Africa every […]