{"id":158891,"date":"2024-02-02T13:25:24","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T12:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=158891"},"modified":"2025-09-23T13:24:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T12:24:34","slug":"world-wetlands-day-human-well-being-ecosystem-services-and-wetlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/world-wetlands-day-human-well-being-ecosystem-services-and-wetlands\/","title":{"rendered":"World Wetlands Day: human well-being, ecosystem services and wetlands"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wetlands play a pivotal role in sustaining life on Earth. Covering only 6% of the Earth&#8217;s surface, they provide important ecosystem services such as flood mitigation, water quality improvement, and groundwater aquifer recharge, all while maintaining biodiversity<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_158891_1('footnote_plugin_reference_158891_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_158891_1('footnote_plugin_reference_158891_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_158891_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_158891_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Cherry, J. A. (2011).<em> <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/scitable\/knowledge\/library\/ecology-of-wetland-ecosystems-water-substrate-and-17059765\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ecology of Wetland Ecosystems: Water, Substrate, and Life.<\/a> Nature Education Knowledge 3(10):16.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_158891_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_158891_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. However, wetlands are threatened by pollution, climate change, dams, agriculture and aquaculture, and human development. It is estimated that 64% of the world&#8217;s wetlands have been lost since the 1900s due to urbanisation<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_158891_1('footnote_plugin_reference_158891_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_158891_1('footnote_plugin_reference_158891_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_158891_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_158891_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Ramsar (2018) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramsar.org\/sites\/default\/files\/urban_wetlands_en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wetlands<em>: <\/em>essential for a sustainable urban future<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_158891_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_158891_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. Between 300 million and 400 million people <a href=\"http:\/\/from https:\/\/www.worldwildlife.org\/stories\/what-is-a-wetland-and-8-other-wetland-facts\/\">depend on wetlands<\/a>.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>As the urban population is projected to increase to 68% by 2050, more land will be needed for housing or economic activities. Wetlands may be destroyed in the pursuit of land for buildings, agriculture, and industry. And this is not a benefit for our humanity: ongoing wetland loss is driving a vicious cycle of declining biodiversity and deepening poverty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">World Wetlands Day<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>World Wetlands Day, celebrated every 2nd of February since 1997, marks the anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands, the first modern global multilateral environmental agreement that was adopted in 1971 and signed in Ramsar, Iran. It came into force in 1975. It was an initiative of organisations and countries <span>\u201c<\/span>concerned about the increasing loss and degradation of wetland habitat for migratory waterbirds\u201d<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_158891_1('footnote_plugin_reference_158891_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_158891_1('footnote_plugin_reference_158891_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_158891_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_158891_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Ramsar. (nd). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramsar.org\/history-convention\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">History of the Convention<\/a><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_158891_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_158891_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. On World Wetlands Day 2024, we focus on how human well-being is interconnected to the health of wetlands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>From rice farming to fishing and tourism, wetlands contribute to job creation, poverty eradication, and economic growth. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wetlands and human well-being<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Even though we depend on it freshwater is scarce, constituting only 2.5% of the Earth&#8217;s water. In line with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/health-topics\/one-health#tab=tab_1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">World Health Organization&#8217;s One Health approach<\/a>, the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems are closely intertwined. Wetlands, often referred to as the Earth&#8217;s kidneys, play a vital role in providing our freshwater. They also play an essential role in food security around the globe, as more than half of the world relies on wetland-grown produce. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Managing wetlands effectively can help also in improving mental well-being. The connection to nature fosters mindfulness and emotional balance, contributing to improved mental health. Moreover, wetlands provide recreational opportunities, offering spaces for activities like fishing, water sports, and swimming, allowing people to relax and manage stress.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>From rice farming to fishing and tourism, wetlands contribute to job creation, poverty eradication, and economic growth. Additionally, wetlands have inspired cultures globally, with songs, dances, and stories expressing respect and reverence toward these vital ecosystems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">REWET: restoration and conservation of wetlands<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The REWET project, a collaboration of universities, NGOs, companies and institutions across Europe funded by the European Union, investigates the potential of wetlands for the sustainable restoration and conservation of these valuable ecosystems. The research focuses, among other things, on monitoring biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas absorption, and looks at various measures to optimise the absorption process. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p> REWET will develop sustainable business model to foster green growth, biodiversity and ecosystem services preservation and restoration, as well as social aspects including inclusiveness, governance, and gender aspects.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ecosystem services<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>REWET research activities also focus on ecosystem services provided by restored wetlands and how long-term management result in investments with significant societal benefits. Project partners are engaging local communities and stakeholders by providing training and are developing a social monitor to track social acceptance of the wetlands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Together with key stakeholders, REWET will develop sustainable business model to foster green growth, biodiversity and ecosystem services preservation and restoration, as well as social aspects including inclusiveness, governance, and gender aspects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The research results of the different project partners will be integrated in tools, such as a Decision Support System for wetlands managers. REWET will also develop a roadmap for wetlands restoration in Europe with concrete recommendations, contributing to the EU 2030 climate and biodiversity targets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/project\/rewet\/\">More about REWET<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It is time to recognise the  role of wetlands<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Wetlands, often overlooked and undervalued, are fundamental to human well-being and the health of the planet. As we celebrate World Wetlands Day, it is crucial to recognise the significance of wetlands and take positive actions for their conservation and restoration. Understanding their contributions, ensuring sustainable use, and attracting investments are essential steps. Joining the global effort, aligned with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.decadeonrestoration.org\/\">UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration<\/a>, can make a meaningful impact in safeguarding wetlands for the well-being of present and future generations. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"143\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_22-9-2025_143822_www.iucn_.nl_-1024x143.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-378685 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_22-9-2025_143822_www.iucn_.nl_-1024x143.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_22-9-2025_143822_www.iucn_.nl_-300x42.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_22-9-2025_143822_www.iucn_.nl_-768x107.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_22-9-2025_143822_www.iucn_.nl_.jpeg 1154w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/143;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-primary\" id=\"block_a263c2488e30f2a14c01556f1dc49c8b\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n\n<div class=\"smallteam-members__name12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n\t<div id=\"team-members-block_e0f6028c3a9545477af138152b26cd3f\" class=\"team-members team-members-block block\">\n\t\t<span class=\"anchor-id\" id=\"\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"team-members__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<div>More information? Contact:<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"team-members__body small-12 grid-x\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__item grid-x small-12 medium-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image cell shrink\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image-wrapper lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/57IUCN-290915-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/57IUCN-290915-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/2560;\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info cell auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__name\">Caspar\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVerwer<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__jobtitle\">Senior Expert Nature Conservation<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__email\">Email:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:caspar.verwer@iucn.nl\">caspar.verwer@iucn.nl<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__socials\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/caspar-verwer-65835728\/?originalSubdomain=nl\" class=\"team-members__socials-icon ico-linkedin\" aria-label=\"Linkedin profile of Caspar Verwer\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/themes\/gopublic-motor-theme-child\/src\/images\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"Linkedin logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/casparverwer\" class=\"team-members__socials-icon ico-twitter\" aria-label=\"Twitter profile of Caspar Verwer\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/themes\/gopublic-motor-theme-child\/src\/images\/twitter-icon.svg\" alt=\"Twitter logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__item grid-x small-12 medium-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image cell shrink\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/mark-van-der-wal\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image-wrapper lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2022\/07\/40Mark-IUCN-040722-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2022\/07\/40Mark-IUCN-040722-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/2560;\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info cell auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/mark-van-der-wal\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__name\">Mark\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvan der Wal<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__jobtitle\">Senior Expert Ecosystems &#038; Extractives<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__email\">Email:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:mark.vanderwal@iucn.nl\">mark.vanderwal@iucn.nl<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__readmore\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/mark-van-der-wal\/\" target=\"\">Full profile<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__socials\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nl.linkedin.com\/in\/mark-van-der-wal-4a809123\" class=\"team-members__socials-icon ico-linkedin\" aria-label=\"Linkedin profile of Mark van der Wal\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/themes\/gopublic-motor-theme-child\/src\/images\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"Linkedin logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"posts related_content small-12\">\n    <div class=\"post__titlebar grid-x\">\n                    <h2 class=\"post__title\">Related news<\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"post__body\">\n                    <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x show-for-medium\">\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/engaging-stakeholders-to-advance-ecosystem-based-adaptation-in-mauritius\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CEPF-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CEPF-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CEPF-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Engaging Stakeholders to Advance Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Mauritius\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/event\/celebrating-6-years-of-mobilising-more-for-climate\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC9029-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC9029-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC9029-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Event\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Celebrating\u00a06 years of Mobilising More for Climate\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/iucn-launches-the-second-edition-of-the-iucn-global-standard-for-nature-based-solutions\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht19-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht19-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht19-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            IUCN launches the Second Edition of the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions\u2122\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/policy-brief-aligning-efforts-on-the-eu-road-towards-healthy-wetlands\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Photo-Andy-Willis-via-Unsplash-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Photo-Andy-Willis-via-Unsplash-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Photo-Andy-Willis-via-Unsplash-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Policy brief: aligning efforts on the EU road towards healthy wetlands\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"show-for-small-only\">\n                <div class=\"orbit\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Related news\" data-orbit>\n                    <div class=\"orbit-wrapper\">\n                        <ul class=\"orbit-container\">\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/engaging-stakeholders-to-advance-ecosystem-based-adaptation-in-mauritius\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CEPF-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CEPF-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CEPF-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Engaging Stakeholders to Advance Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Mauritius\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/event\/celebrating-6-years-of-mobilising-more-for-climate\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC9029-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC9029-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC9029-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Event\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Celebrating\u00a06 years of Mobilising More for Climate\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/iucn-launches-the-second-edition-of-the-iucn-global-standard-for-nature-based-solutions\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht19-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht19-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht19-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            IUCN launches the Second Edition of the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions\u2122\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/policy-brief-aligning-efforts-on-the-eu-road-towards-healthy-wetlands\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Photo-Andy-Willis-via-Unsplash-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Photo-Andy-Willis-via-Unsplash-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Photo-Andy-Willis-via-Unsplash-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Policy brief: aligning efforts on the EU road towards healthy wetlands\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                <\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <nav class=\"orbit-bullets\">\n                                                                            <button class=\"is-active\" data-slide=\"0\">\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\" data-slide-active-label><\/span>\n                        <\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"1\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"2\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"3\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                <\/nav>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><h2><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_158891_1();\">Index<\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_158891_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_158891_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/h2><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_158891_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\">Index<\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_158891_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_158891_1_1');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_158891_1_1\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Cherry, J. A. (2011).<em> <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/scitable\/knowledge\/library\/ecology-of-wetland-ecosystems-water-substrate-and-17059765\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ecology of Wetland Ecosystems: Water, Substrate, and Life.<\/a> Nature Education Knowledge 3(10):16.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_158891_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_158891_1_2');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_158891_1_2\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Ramsar (2018) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramsar.org\/sites\/default\/files\/urban_wetlands_en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wetlands<em>: <\/em>essential for a sustainable urban future<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_158891_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_158891_1_3');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_158891_1_3\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Ramsar. (nd). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramsar.org\/history-convention\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">History of the Convention<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_158891_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_158891_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_158891_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_158891_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_158891_1').hide(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_158891_1').text('+'); } function footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_158891_1() { if (jQuery('#footnote_references_container_158891_1').is(':hidden')) { footnote_expand_reference_container_158891_1(); } else { footnote_collapse_reference_container_158891_1(); } } function footnote_moveToReference_158891_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_158891_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } } function footnote_moveToAnchor_158891_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_158891_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } }<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wetlands play a pivotal role in sustaining life on Earth. Covering only 6% of the Earth&#8217;s surface, they provide important ecosystem services such as flood mitigation, water quality improvement, and groundwater aquifer recharge, all while maintaining biodiversity[1]Cherry, J. A. (2011). Ecology of Wetland Ecosystems: Water, Substrate, and Life. Nature Education Knowledge 3(10):16.. However, wetlands are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":158909,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[188,187,327],"class_list":["post-158891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-story","tag-nature-policy","tag-nature-based-solutions-en","tag-rewet-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=158891"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158891\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":380285,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158891\/revisions\/380285"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/158909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=158891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=158891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}