World Wetlands Day Caring for wetlands, an answer to climate change
Tuesday 2 February 2010

Wetlands - those habitats that have been neglected and overlooked for so many years – are the focus of special attention today, World Wetlands Day.

Indeed, the Countryside Council for Wales is working closely with thousands of landowners and other many organisations throughout Wales to give Wales’ wetlands the intensive care they so desperately need.

And, with growing understanding of the importance of wetlands in the face of climate change, their future conservation and management is more of a priority than ever.

Wales has many types of Wetlands, include, fens, bogs, grazing marshes, swamps, marshy grasslands and of course lakes, ponds and rivers. Some are only seasonally flooded or waterlogged, such as marshy grassland. Others, such as our peat-forming mires, are wet all year round. But, without action, they are all under threat.

The looming prospect of drier summers means that managing wetlands to maintain their features is vital – not only for the wealth of wildlife that live there but for everyone’s quality of life. Wetland habitats, in peak condition, can capture and store massive amounts of carbon that would otherwise be released into rivers and the atmosphere. This means that wetlands have a key role to play in action for climate change. They also help purify our drinking water and can play a valuable role in helping control flood peaks. Our upland wetlands, in particular the blanket bogs which stretch all the way along the upland spine of Wales, provide dramatic wild open spaces and contribute much to the character of the landscape.

According to Dr Peter Jones, CCW Peatlands Ecologist: “There is a huge amount of work to do to conserve and restore our wetlands. But I am optimistic – there is hope for wetlands. There is some fantastic conservation work underway – including a £3.5 million fens restoration project covering Anglesey and Llyn Fens and much work on other National Nature Reserves too, such as Cors Caron and Cors Fochno in Ceredigion, Cors Crymlyn in Swansea and Fenns and Whixall Mosses near Wrexham.

“We need to do much more, but with concerted action and the great support of landowners, wetlands can, once again, become a haven for wildlife and great places to go to visit. And, crucially, wetlands can once again play their fundamental part in maintaining our quality of life – storing carbon, purifying water, and helping prevent floods in other areas.”

Many wetland National Nature Reserves are managed by CCW to restore and conserve their natural features. There is easy access along board walks to many of them, making them great places to visit.

Wetlands and folklore – did you know?

Historically, people thought that wetlands were the link between the human and spiritual worlds. Many gifts to the gods were left in wet places – including the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard on Anglesey, the magnificent bronze shield of Rhos Rydd and enigmatic figurine of a man from Strata Florida in Ceredigion.

Dr Jones commented: “Today’s gifts are more in the shape of wetlands’ contribution to our quality of life.”

ENDS

For more information contact CCW Regional PR Officer Brân Devey on 02920 77 2403 / 07747767443 or bran.devey@ccw.gov.uk or Helen Evans, Senior Press Officer, on 01248 387377 or 07717225589.

The Countryside Council for Wales is an Assembly Government Sponsored

Body, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment. More information about our work is available on www.ccw.gov.uk