IMPLICATIONS OF WETLAND DEGRADATION

Manoshi GoswamiManoshi Goswami

OUTLINEOUTLINE

IntroductionIntroduction Ramsar ConventionRamsar Convention Types of wetlandsTypes of wetlands Causes of degradationCauses of degradation Implications of Wetland DegradationImplications of Wetland Degradation Case study of Deepar BeelCase study of Deepar Beel

What are WETLANDS ?What are WETLANDS ?

“Wetlands are area of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.’

(RAMSAR CONVENTION)

Key AttributesKey Attributes (Helps in (Helps in identification)identification)

Hydrology which is a degree of flooding of soil saturation

Wetland vegetation (hydrophytes)

Hydric soils

Ramsar ConventionRamsar Convention --- path of recognizing --- path of recognizing importanceimportance

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty which deals with conservation aspects of inland waters and the near-shore coastal areas.

Signed on Feb 2, 1971, in Iranian city of RAMSAR this provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

There are at present 159 contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1634 wetland sites, totaling 145.73 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

The Convention has 12 Articles which deal with the various aspects of wetlands, including their definition, criteria for designation of wetlands, wise use of wetlands, establishing nature reserves, research, monitoring, management of wetland species, international cooperation and transboundary wetland issues.

India is a signatory to Ramsar Convention and plays an important role in conservation and wise use of wetlands.

Conservation of Wetlands in India: A Profile

Conservation of Wetlands in India: A Profile

The Mission of the Ramsar Convention

‘The conservation and wise use of wetlands by national action and international cooperation as a means to achieving sustainable development throughout the world.’

Source : Conservation of Wetlands in India: A Profile

Types

Glaciatic Wetlands (e.g., Tsomoriri in Jammu and Kashmir, Chandertal in Himachal Pradesh)

Tectonic Wetlands (Bhimtal in Uttaranchal) Oxbow Wetlands (Wullur lake, Kashmir) Lagoons (Chilka lake, Orissa) Crater Wetlands (Lonar lake, Maharastra) Salt water Wetlands (Sambhar, Rajastan) Urban Wetlands (Dal lake, Kasmir) Creeks (Thane , Maharastra)

Salt Marshes Lakes Riverine Wetlands Mangroves Coral Reefs Peat bogs

More than ½ of the worlds remaining wetlands have been destroyed in the 20th century, especially in developing countries by the demands of industrialization.

1/3rd of Indian wetlands has already been wiped out or has been severely degraded.

70 – 80 percent of individual fresh water marshes and lakes in the Gangetic flood plains have been lost in the last five decades.

(Sustainable Wetlands, Environmental Governance-2, 1999).

Extent of Degradation of Wetlands

80 to 98% of wetlands immediately within or adjacent to many of Canada's urban centers have been lost (Govt. of Cannada, 1991)

Rate of loss is 2-3% per year

Indian mangrove areas have been halved Indian mangrove areas have been halved almost from 700,000 hectares in 1987 to almost from 700,000 hectares in 1987 to 453,000 hectares in 1995 (Sustainable 453,000 hectares in 1995 (Sustainable Wetlands, Environmental Governance-2, Wetlands, Environmental Governance-2, 1999).1999).

Threats to wetlandsThreats to wetlands Uncontrolled weed infestation

Anthropogenic invasion or Encroachment on wetland areas for various purposes leading to habitat destruction

Hydrological interventions

Pollution

Climate Change

CauseCause ContributionContribution

Hunting & Hunting & Associated Associated DisturbanceDisturbance

32%32%

Human SettlementHuman Settlement 22%22%

Fishing & Fishing & Associated Associated activitiesactivities

19%19%

Vegetation Vegetation RemovalRemoval

15%15%

Industrial PollutionIndustrial Pollution 20%20%

Drainage for Drainage for agricultureagriculture

23%23%

WCMC, 1998

Study on the effects of agricultural run-off in Frankline Bog, Vermont, USA has revealed that forested and agricultural runoff from the nearby watershed created differential vegetation patterns in the wetland, including weedy species introductions. The study also reported the nutrient induced excessive vegetative growth in the study site.( Gustafson & Wang, 2002)

Soil salinization is also reported to be a serious cause of wetland degradation in the Yellow River Delta region of china. (Jian-feng & Qi-xiang, 2005)

Climate change is predicted to threaten the wetland ecosystems by its effect on wetland biodiversity (Temperature), shrinkage of wetland area due to reduced water availability and geographical distribution of wetlands. (Tiwana et al. 2008)

Of the estimated 58.2 million hectares of wetlands in India, 40.9 million hectares are under rice cultivation (Anon. 1993).

Most of the coastal mangroves in Sunderbans & Andaman in India are facing threat arising from economic demand on shrimps.(Prasad et al. 2002)

Loss of marine and coastal wetlands in Australia has been linked with human interference in Estuaries, bays and Gulfs for various activities . (Zann, 1995)

In US, that more than 53% of naturally occurring wetlands (more than 117 million acres or 47.4 million hectares; 1 acre = 0.405 hectare) have been converted into urban and agricultural uses (Bendor & Brozovic 2007).

Zhaou et al , Environ Model Assess (2009) 14:101–111

WETLAND SERVICESWETLAND SERVICES

Wetland products Wetland products Groundwater replenishmentsGroundwater replenishments Maintenance of water tablesMaintenance of water tables Water storage and flood controlWater storage and flood control Shoreline protection and stabilizationShoreline protection and stabilization Sediment and nutrient retention Sediment and nutrient retention Water purification - Kidneys of NatureWater purification - Kidneys of Nature Habitats for biodiversity Habitats for biodiversity Ecosystem functionsEcosystem functions Recreation and tourism Recreation and tourism

Reduction in terrestrial carbon sequestration

Reduction in economic products Reduction of Ground Water Recharge

Potential Reduced Water supply Flood Erosion of shoreline Interrupted nutrient cycling Loss of Water Quality Biodiversity Depletion Ecosystem Disruption

Implications

Study on Study on Hadejia–Jama’are and Hadejia–Nguru wetlands of Nigeria has revealed that loss of the wetland area has resulted in drying up of many wells that are used by the inhabitants.(Uluocha & Okeke, 2004)

M. Ando, 1999

Location : (lat. 26°03′26″–26°09′26″N and long. Location : (lat. 26°03′26″–26°09′26″N and long. 90°36′39″–90°41′25″E) , 10 km southwest of 90°36′39″–90°41′25″E) , 10 km southwest of Guwahati town, Kamrup District .Guwahati town, Kamrup District .

The Beel has a perennial water-holding area of The Beel has a perennial water-holding area of about 10.1 km2, which extends up to 40.1 kmabout 10.1 km2, which extends up to 40.1 km22 during floods. (Bera et al., 2008)during floods. (Bera et al., 2008)

Notified a Wildlife Sanctuary (proposed) under Notified a Wildlife Sanctuary (proposed) under the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972

Declared a Ramsar Site in August 2002Declared a Ramsar Site in August 2002

Recognized as a Important Bird Area site by Recognized as a Important Bird Area site by Birdlife International.Birdlife International.

Justification for declaring a Ramsar Site:Justification for declaring a Ramsar Site:

Deepor Beel and is a representative wetland Deepor Beel and is a representative wetland type found within the biogeographic type found within the biogeographic province, 'Burma Monsoon Forest‘.province, 'Burma Monsoon Forest‘.

Supports threatened species of birds like Supports threatened species of birds like Spot billed pelican, Lesser adjutant stork, Spot billed pelican, Lesser adjutant stork, Greater adjutant stork, Black necked stork, Greater adjutant stork, Black necked stork, and Large whistling teal.and Large whistling teal.

The lake is one of the staging grounds on The lake is one of the staging grounds on the migratory flyways for several species. the migratory flyways for several species.

Diversity Species / Genera Family

Phyoplankton 18

Zooplankton 21

Cladocera (micro-crustacea)

45/30 7

Angiosperm 435/305 103

Fish 50 19

Amphibia 20

Lizard 12

Snake 18

Turtle/Tortoise

6

Source : Bera et al. 2008, ENVIS Newsletter, 2007, Sharma & Sharma, 2008 and

http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/deepor_beel_.cfm

Spot billed pelican

Great blue heron

Greater adjurdent stork

Black necked stork

Large whistling teal

Asian elephants in Beel

A large no. of wetland fruits and vegetables A large no. of wetland fruits and vegetables and medicinal plants are identified in the and medicinal plants are identified in the wetland.wetland.

Source of water for the wild animals from the adjuscent Rani – Garbhanga Reserved Forest including the Asiatic Elephants.

The only major storm water storage basin The only major storm water storage basin for the city of Guwahati.for the city of Guwahati.

Resident rural community of nearby area (14 Village/1200 families) mostly dependant on the natural wetland resources for their livilihood.

Degradation of Deepor BeelDegradation of Deepor Beel

Present reported area is 9.27 sq. km. but the Present reported area is 9.27 sq. km. but the actual water body is only 4.1 sq. km. actual water body is only 4.1 sq. km.

Heavily infested with water hyacinth and other Heavily infested with water hyacinth and other aquatic weeds, indicating high eutrophication.aquatic weeds, indicating high eutrophication.

Deterioration of water quality – pH - 4.7- 6.9,Deterioration of water quality – pH - 4.7- 6.9,

DO -1.6 mg/l to 5.2 mg/l DO -1.6 mg/l to 5.2 mg/l

Heavy metal content reported to be high.Heavy metal content reported to be high.

(Report, Planning Comission, India, 2008)(Report, Planning Comission, India, 2008)

Causes

Causes

Conservation Measures

Demarcation of the boundaryDemarcation of the boundary Construction of embankmentConstruction of embankment Control of industrial activityControl of industrial activity Control of commercial exploitation of Control of commercial exploitation of

aquatic resourcesaquatic resources Water quality restorationWater quality restoration Increasing water retention capacityIncreasing water retention capacity Complete stoppage of garbage dumpingComplete stoppage of garbage dumping Awareness campaignAwareness campaign Implementing sustainable wetland Implementing sustainable wetland

management strategies.management strategies.

ConclusionConclusion

Wetlands are very important ecosystems from Wetlands are very important ecosystems from the point of global and local environmental the point of global and local environmental conservation.conservation.

Human encroachment and developmental activities are accelerating the degradation process of wetlands.

Conservation of wetlands should be given a Conservation of wetlands should be given a prime importance in all the environmental prime importance in all the environmental conservation policies.conservation policies.

Greater participation of local people, use of indigenous knowledge in the management strategies and application of scientific techniques are needed.

Most importantly, we must be sincere enough to increase awareness among public regarding the importance of wetlands.