Wetlands for water and life

Mangrove coasts: a muddy story (Part 3)

Teresa Zuna — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:21:00 GMT

By Han Winterwerp and Bregje van Wesenbeeck

In my first blog, I introduced the term “ecosystem services”, which has become a popular way to refer to the value of ecosystems. This is an important concept as it provides a counter-argument to the often narrow-minded and short-eyed approach of economics.

Mangrove coasts: a muddy story (Part 2)

Vera.Coelho — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:21:00 GMT

By Han Winterwerp -

In my previous blog, I have tried to explain the importance of mangrove mud coasts. Of course, these coasts are beautiful, exotic environments, with rare species, such as the mud skipper and numerous crabs, as well as rare birds.

Mangrove coasts: a muddy story (Part 1)

Vera.Coelho — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:01:00 GMT

By Han Winterwerp -

I am an engineer. I am a civil engineer and I work with “cohesive sediment”, which is a fancy term for mud. Mud is all over the place, in lakes and rivers, in river mouths (estuaries) and inlets, along the coast and in the deep ocean.

TEEB report highlights the high value of wetlands

pbrotherton — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:51:00 GMT

Geneva, Switzerland – A new report on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), co-authored by Wetlands International, emphasises the enormous economic value of wetlands. TEEB For Water and Wetlands highlights the key role played by wetlands as natural infrastructure and the multitude of enormously productive services they provide around the world. The continued loss of wetlands illustrates the need for improved policy making and business decision making that accounts for their true value.

Mangroves reduce coastal damage from tropical storms

Sander — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 07:46:00 GMT

Ede, the Netherlands - Mangroves can help protect coastal communities by reducing the height and power of waves generated by storms, and by reducing coastal flooding during tropical cyclones, a new report by The Nature Conservancy and Wetlands International reveals. Added to other roles in erosion protection and diminishing the power of waves, mangroves can therefore play an important role in coastal defence and disaster risk reduction.

Report: Mangroves protect our coasts against wind and swell waves

kempkes — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:26:00 GMT

Ede, the Netherlands - A new report by The Nature Conservancy and Wetlands International proves that mangrove forests protect coastal populations and infrastructure against wind and swell waves. Preventing damage to coastal infrastructure and flooding, mangroves reduce wave height by as much as 66% over 100 metres of forest. With coastal populations vulnerable to the impacts of extreme events such as storms and hurricanes, these organisations say mangrove management needs to be included in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts in coastal areas worldwide.

Blog: Feeling exposed? Plant a tree!

Vera.Coelho — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:12:00 GMT

By Vera Coelho

What would you do if your community was hit by a tsunami? When confronted with disaster, human responses vary: despair, anger, disbelief, sorrow. Planting trees might not be the first thing that comes to mind.

Announcement: International Conference on wetland forests in Brunei (22-23 March)

SusannaTol — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:02:00 GMT

Forest biodiversity – Towards a Green Economy

Wetlands International is co-hosting an international conference to promote sustainable management of Brunei’s peat forests and mangrove forests on 22-23 March at Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The event is organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources of Brunei Darussalam through the Forestry Department and is organised in conjunction with this year’s World Forestry Day celebrations on 21 March 2012.

Land use change: pushing waterbirds from the map

Sander — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:03:00 GMT

Rapid land use change for intensive agriculture and urban functions has a devastating impact, particularly on wetlands. In the light of World Migratory Bird Day 2011 on 14-15 May, Wetlands International calls for attention on the implications of land use change for waterbirds.

World Wetlands Day 2011: focus on wetlands and forests

wetlands-admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:30:00 GMT

February 2, 2011. World Wetlands Day is this year celebrated with the theme “Forests for Water and Wetlands”. Wetlands International marks this day by launching its new initiatives to reverse the loss of the world’s wetland forests such as forested peatlands and mangroves.

Oil spill Louisiana: disasters like these just a matter of time

Sander — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:51:00 GMT

Wetlands International is very concerned about the devastating threats of the BP oil spill on the south coast of the US. This disaster shows the permanent threat of offshore oil winning on very precious natural areas. The precautionary principle should be applied when considering oil winning activities in similarly highly vulnerable coastal areas.

World Wetlands Day: recognition for role wetlands in climate change adaptation

Sander — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:22:00 GMT

Celebrating World Wetlands Day, today's spotlight is on the importance of wetlands for reducing impacts of climate change. Globally, there is a growing recognition of the key role that the protection and restoration of wetlands like marshes, peatlands, mangroves and coral reefs can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to its impacts. Now, this recognition has to be turned into action.

Guinea Bissau: mangroves in frontline against climate change

Sander — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:49:00 GMT

Mansoa, Guinea Bissau. Government officials have launched a new mangrove project in Guinea Bissau, which will demonstrate how better management of mangrove forests can help in reducing coastal climate change impacts. The project aims to deliver the knowledge base for the development of national policies in the fight against climate change impacts. NGO Wetlands International, which is leading the project, emphasizes that this project is an example for many coastal areas in Africa and in the rest of the world.

Shrimp production stakeholders join hands for sustainability in Indonesia

Sander — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:53:00 GMT

An initiative from Wetlands International Indonesia Programme (WIIP) and IUCN Netherlands has brought all stakeholders of the shrimp value chain together to improve the sustainability of shrimp production in coastal areas in Indonesia. Under the Sustainable Shrimp & Coastal Restoration and Conservation Program (SSCRC) efforts to improve systems in order to meet certification requirements are being combined with restoration of coastal mangrove ecosystems.

Wetlands International: expanding the horizon of wetland conservation

Sander — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:32:00 GMT

Global NGO Wetlands International has further expanded its reach and impact on conservation, restoration and sustainable use of wetlands. For the fifth consecutive year it has grown in both financial and operational size. This concludes the newly published Annual Review 2008.

Petition against conversion of rainforest in Aceh into oil palm plantation

SusannaTol — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:55:00 GMT

Wetlands International and a coalition of NGOs have joined forces to demand palm oil company AAL to immediately halt the conversion of the Tripa peat forest in Aceh province, Indonesia into a palm oil plantation. The Tripa rainforest is home to the critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan.

Wetlands International Africa launches Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Network (BIOMAC)

Sander — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:29:00 GMT

Wetlands International Africa has launched the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Network (BIOMAC) in Guinea Bissau at the 4th Forum of the Regional Coastal and Marine Conservation Programme for West Africa (PRCM). BIOMAC addresses the many challenges facing the West African coast through information sharing, environmental monitoring, rapid reaction systems and capacity building. The mission of BIOMAC is ‘building strategic partnerships to protect our marine and coastal heritage’.

“Invisible Connections” highlights importance of threatened Yellow Sea habitats

Sander — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:16:00 GMT

A new and stunning book was published by Wetlands International on intertidal mudflats of the Yellow Sea, which are under critical threat by unsustainable development. The book offers a wonderful photographic journey that follows the migration of shorebirds flying from their breeding grounds in the Arctic through East Asia to Australia.

Protection of Green Coast demonstration sites in Aceh requested from Provincial Governor

Sander — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:43:00 GMT

Green Coast partners in Aceh (Wetlands International and WWF) have submitted an official request to Aceh Provincial Government to endorse, support and protect the 11 Green Coast demonstration sites after the partners will be phased out Mid 2009.

Ramsar Convention shies away from influencing water, climate and development policies

Sander — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:14:00 GMT

In the speech on behalf of the International Organising Partners of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP 10) in Korea, Jane Madgwick, CEO of Wetlands International welcomes the steps to increase the status of Ramsar Sites, especially with regard to Lake Natron in Tanzania, the Tana Delta and Lake Naivasha in Kenya. At the same time, there is disappointment about the little progress in addressing water, climate and development policies with a link to wetlands.

Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People central topic at Ramsar Conference in Changwon, Korea

Sander — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:24:00 GMT

The theme Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People is a central topic at the intergovernmental Ramsar Convention on Wetlands COP 10 (Oct. 28 - Nov. 4) at Changwon, Korea. The publication Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People made by Wetlands International is downloadable right now.

Ramsar Convention needs to improve resolutions

wetlands-admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:48:00 GMT

Wetlands International advocates chances for the proposed resolutions of this week’s Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Many proposed changes demand attention for the link between wetland loss and climate change and for biofuels.

Global Newsletter Oct./Nov. 2008

Sander — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:43:00 GMT

This is the Wetlands International Global Newsletter of Oct./Nov. 2008. It is filled with news on wetlands and climate change, migratory birds, international conferences, research, videos and publications.

Green Coast: successful and cost-effective approach for disaster risk reduction

Sander — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Green Coast, a post-tsunami coastal restoration program led by Wetlands International, has been assessed independently as a highly cost-effective and successful approach to disaster risk reduction.

CBD-meeting is major opportunity to address CO2 emissions from peatlands

schotman-host — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:48:00 GMT

At this moment, the global governmental Convention on Biodiversity (CBD - SBSTTA) holds their meeting in Paris. The protection and restoration of peatlands in order to conserve their carbon stocks is an important item on the agenda. Peatlands all over the world store enormous amounts of carbon. Their degradation is causing CO2 emissions equivalent to 8% of all global fossil fuel emissions. These huge emissions are not addressed under the Kyoto Protocol at all. There is now a major opportunity for the CBD to take leadership over this issue.