What are wetlands_
Wetlands are 'area of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artifical, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.'
(Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance)

Wetlands are highly productive

• 'biological supermarkets:' agricultural produce, fish, wildlife and wildfowl, forage, wood and other building materials.
• abundant water and energy resources: water for human consumption, agriculture and industry; hydroelectric power and biomass
• biological, landscape and cultural diversity: diverse and often spectacular populations of wildlife, reservoirs of genetic material and traditional cultures that can provide valuable lessons for sustainable use

Wetlands perform vital life-support functions

• maintaining the hydrological balance: groundwater recharge, floodwater storage and cyclical flooding essential for complex natural food webs and agricultural systems
• protecting the land: shoreline stabilisation, erosion and flood control, carbon dioxide sink and climate control in surrounding areas
• purifying water: sedimentation, filtering, nutrient uptake and sink for toxic materials
• providing services: transport links, recreation and tourism