02 February 2024

Celebrating World Wetlands Day – the role of wetlands and human wellbeing

To celebrate World Wetlands Day, Mary Roache, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor, reminds us that all aspects of human wellbeing are tied to the health of our wetlands.

The Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee invites you to celebrate World Wetlands Day today, February 2. The committee was established in 2010. This national committee comprises members drawn from a variety of relevant government agencies, scientific and technical institutions, regional and local authorities and non-governmental organisations. Catherine Keena and Mary Roache represent Teagasc on this committee.

Its principal objective is to promote the wise use and protection of wetlands in Ireland. This year’s theme for World Wetlands Day is Wetlands and Human Wellbeing. The overriding message behind this campaign is that human wellbeing is irrevocably tied to the state of the world’s wetlands. We are dependent on these life-sustaining ecosystems. However, they must be healthy if they are to continue to provide us with water and food, support biodiversity, provide livelihoods, protect against extreme weather events, and mitigate against climate change.

Nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s, and we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests. It is urgent that we raise national and global awareness about wetlands in order to reverse their rapid loss and encourage actions to conserve and restore them. World Wetlands Day is the ideal time to increase people’s understanding of these critically important ecosystems.

Turloughs are an important wetland

In Ireland, approximately one-quarter of the total area is water, comprising a broad diversity of wetlands. With its ample rainfall supply, the island hosts an abundance of freshwater wetlands such as marshes, fens, bogs, rivers, lakes, ponds. Some, such as our peatlands and turloughs, are uniquely different to others in the world. The biodiversity of wetlands in Ireland has been estimated to be worth €385 million per year to the Irish economy and wetlands also contribute a component of the €330 million nature and eco-tourism value of Irish habitats.

Peatlands not only store carbon and water, they also provide important biodiversity benefits

All aspects of human wellbeing are tied to the health of our wetlands – physical, mental and environmental. Our existence relies on water, however fresh water is scarce. Wetlands provide almost all our freshwater and are known as the Earth’s kidneys. Wetlands silt-rich soil and plants naturally filter and store water.

For thousands of years people have established settlements near wetlands for access to fish, other food sources and freshwater for crops and livestock. Research shows that wetland landscapes positively impact mental wellbeing, they also provide recreational opportunities, including fishing, water sport, and swimming, allowing people to relax and manage stress.

In the below video, Mary gives an overview on the importance of wetlands:

Ireland’s wetlands are a vital component of the water cycle, acting as sponges, retaining large quantities of water during periods of high rainfall and slowly releasing this in drier times. By doing this, our wetlands provide protection from flooding and storms. Our wetlands store 30% of land-based carbon which is vital for climate change mitigation.

You will also find 40% of all species either live or breed in wetlands. As many of our naturally occurring wetlands occur on farmland it is clear that farmers play a key role in conservation and ‘wise use of wetlands’ so that these unique areas exist and continue to be enjoyed by future generations. Taking positive action for wetlands today will help protect human wellbeing tomorrow.

Mary Roache is a Teagasc ASSAP Advisor based in Co. Mayo. ASSAP – Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme – works with farmers to help improve water quality. Read more about the ASSAP programme here.

You can read more about wetlands and the Ramsar sites in the Irish Wetlands Guide here 

The IRWC, Community groups, Heritage Officers, NGO’s, LAWPRO and other groups are running events to celebrate World Wetlands Day. Click here for more details on these events. See also the Irish Wetland Video Series.