The Marvel and Mystery of Wetlands

When I was in elementary school, I have vivid memories of celebrating the ever-important Water Year. The event was a spectacle, with grand floats showcasing a massive, solitary drop of water, lively bands, tantalizing pancake stands, and cheerful crowds lining the streets of my quaint hometown. Even back then, a few moons ago, the message rang loud and clear: we must conserve water. Being a farming community, we were all too familiar with this concept. Drought equaled hungry animals, failed crops, and the gradual loss of precious land. Fortunately, our farm was blessed with a perpetual spring that transformed into a vibrant wetland.

Wetlands are truly paramount to our very existence. Throughout history, river valleys and floodplains have captivated human civilizations, but wetlands, in particular, possess an array of extraordinary functions. They perform the remarkable task of purifying our water, warding off disastrous floods, controlling relentless erosion, and guaranteeing a vital water supply during ruthless droughts.

Hey there! Did you know that wetlands are pretty awesome? They’re like natural superheroes that provide us with a bunch of amazing resources. For example, they give us water to drink and land that we can use for growing crops. Pretty cool, right?

And it gets even better! Wetlands also give us grazing areas for our beloved livestock. Plus, they provide us with materials like reeds that we can use to build things and make crafts. Talk about multitasking!

But here’s the really exciting part: wetlands can actually help boost a country’s economy. How, you ask? Well, they attract tourists and people looking for some good ol’ leisure activities. And when these visitors come, they bring money with them, which can benefit the communities that live around the wetland. It’s a win-win situation!

So you see, wetlands are like hidden treasure chests full of resources that we can enjoy and benefit from. We just need to make sure we take care of them and use their resources sustainably. Now that’s something worth appreciating, don’t you think?

It’s a real shame, but people have managed to ruin over half of the Earth’s wetlands. They’ve done this by draining them to make room for farms or homes, constructing dams, letting animals graze too much, planting non-native trees too close to the wetlands, mining, and polluting them. It might seem like our advanced technology has made nature obsolete, but when disasters like floods, storms, and landslides happen, it’s clear that we still need the natural world to take care of us.

The St Lucia estuarine system in iSimangaliso Wetland Park is one of the most stunning wetland systems in South Africa. As a South African, I can’t help but feel proud of this incredible World Heritage Site. Covering approximately 328,000 hectares, this area is a haven of untouched beauty, consisting of swamps, lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands, and coastal forests. The diversity of this place is mind-blowing, with 20,000 greater flamingos, 40,000 lesser flamingos, and thousands of ducks calling it home. And let’s not forget about the amphibians – this area boasts the highest number of amphibian species in all of South Africa, a whopping 36! And as if that weren’t enough, you can also spot hippos, crocodiles, and even sharks sharing the same waters. It’s truly a wildlife wonderland.

Can you believe that back in 1989, a mining company had the audacity to consider bulldozing the dunes along the eastern shore of Lake St Lucia? It’s almost unthinkable! Thankfully, this treasured site was spared from such devastation, and we can continue to enjoy its natural splendor.

In a stroke of luck, back in 1996, the government listened to the experts and put a stop to any plans to mine our precious wetlands. Instead, they decided to come up with a comprehensive plan for development and land use. It’s incredible what can happen when we take a stand and ask the right questions.

Source: Mondi Wetlands Programme

Ways you can help our wetlands thrive

If you want to get involved in the restoration of wetlands in your area, check out www.wetlands.za.net. You can also join the South African Wetland Society, a brand-new organization dedicated to preserving these valuable ecosystems.

If you want to get involved in the restoration of wetlands in your area, check out www.wetlands.za.net. You can also join the South African Wetland Society, a brand-new organization dedicated to preserving these valuable ecosystems.