The unique wetland ecosystems that Peace Parks Foundation is proud to protect hold both vital natural resources and crucial solutions. This makes it an exciting and urgent time to be dedicated guardians of freshwater, carbon and biodiversity in these areas as part of the global action we need.
What Are Wetlands?
Found all over the world, a wetland is an area covered by water either seasonally or permanently. These unique ecosystems are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including amphibians, birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and insects. They can range in size from small ponds to vast bodies of water and are typically made up of terrestrial plants and organic matter like soil or decaying vegetation.
Why Are Wetlands So Important?
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, boasting an immense variety of species. They provide vital nesting grounds for birds and other wildlife as well as act as a nursery for young fish who rely on these habitats for food sources.
Not only this, but they are bursting with beneficial services for people and wildlife too. They provide clean water, a source of food, water for crops and agriculture and provide flood control, to name but a few of the benefits.
Critically, they also regulate water storage and store an astonishing volume of planet-warming carbon key to offsetting climate change.
The Importance Of Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve
Situated within the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve embraces a flagship wetland conservation programme. Despite its modest 100 000 ha, Vwaza throws a celebration of scenery, plentiful species and irreplaceable functions; it’s also home to the largest population of elephant in northern Malawi.
By mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss and increasing the resilience of local communities to both, wetland ecosystems make a powerful case for protection; Peace Parks Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Malawi, is deeply committed to practical, creative and scalable solutions in this remarkable part of the world.
