February 2nd is World Wetlands Day – a day to appreciate and raise awareness around these beautiful, biodiverse environments that contribute to our planet’s sustainability. Critical to our natural environment, these bodies of water protect our shores, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. Wetlands are scenic and valuable to supporting ecosystems, making them influential to the natural circle of life. To celebrate this day, we have created a lit of top wetlands around the world that are saving our planet.
The Okavango Delta
This is Africa’s largest oasis and one of the largest inland lakes in the world. Located in Botswana, it’s a source for a wide range of wildlife and plant life with a large freshwater supply, known for being the home of up to 20,000 mammals.
Carmargue
Carmargue is one of the best locations for bird watching in Europe. It’s a habitat for the Carmargue horse, the Carmargue bull, and the greater flamingo. Comprised of lakes and marshlands, it surrounds the southeast region of France.
The Sundarbans
The Sundarbans translates to “beautiful jungle” in Bengali. These wetlands expand throughout India through Bangladesh and West Bengal where predators thrive. In fact, i’s home to 500 Bengal tigers, pythons, crocodiles, and their prey.
The Pantanal
Located in western Brazil, this estuary is the largest freshwater wetland and consists of various bodies of water like marshlands, lagoons, floodplains, and drainage lines. Extending through Bolivia and Paraguay, The Pantanal is home to impressive biodiversity, supporting millions of animals like the capybara and yacare caiman.
Kafue Flats
This Zambian region consists of shallow lagoons, marshlands, swamps, reed beds, and grasslands. Inhabited by a wide range of animals and fish species, this wetland is also a source of sugar cane farming and is used for producing hydroelectric power.
These beautiful lush wetlands worldwide are home to millions of animals and the ecosystems they need for survival. Their biodiversity and wildlife need to be protected and left undisturbed to support the planet’s sustainability. Without flora and fauna found in these wetlands, we will not have a chance of slowing global warming.
Don’t forget to celebrate World Wetlands Day This year!