Northern Ireland Water has marked World Wetlands Day this year by helping to increase understanding of these critically important systems.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on 2nd February to help highlight the positive role that wetlands can have for both the planet and its inhabitants.
Celebrating this year’s theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”, NI Water has highlighted the fruitful biodiversity and diverse array of wildlife that the 80,000 hectares of wetland across Northern Ireland, including Bog Meadows, Glenarm, Moyola, Waterfoot and Lagan Meadows, offers.
Some of the benefits wetland areas can provide include:
- Wetlands provide a transitional habitat between dry land and deep water
- They help clean the raw water in the environment by removing pollutants through natural filtration
- Wetlands reduce the risks of climate change. For example, peatlands contain large amounts of sphagnum moss, which is extremely effective at absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. A well-managed and properly functioning peatland can reduce carbon emissions and are one way to mitigate climate change
- Wetlands can slow downstream flooding and prevent damage from storm events
- Spending time in these beautiful landscapes is good for health and wellbeing, and can often be home to many rare birds, insects and animals
NI Water Catchment Liaison Officer, Kerry Morris, said:
“World Wetlands Day is important because it is an opportunity for us all to remember the critical need to protect wetland ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations.
“These are dynamic landscapes which change every day due to incoming water flows and precipitation. Wetlands are important ecosystems and they are very much interconnected with human life. Every wetland matters and every effort counts to ensure their protection.
“Closer to home, we’re lucky to have a large range of wetland types, some of which are vital habitats for freshwater and amphibian species. In inland areas you can find marshes, peatlands or swamps whereas on coastal areas you can find lagoons or saltwater marshes.
“NI Water’s work continues to invest in the future sustainability of our local wetlands. The benefits are economically, socially and culturally essential in helping humans to overcome the climate-biodiversity crisis and deliver sustainable development goals for the benefit of all people.”
