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WATER LANDS

Where water meets land, life abounds. From the tundra mires to the temperate swamps, tropical forested rivers, desert oases, and deltas, it’s the dynamic interaction of water and land that matters. Wetlands adorn, connect, and permeate our landscapes, storing and regulating water and providing vital stepping stones for migratory water birds.

From my early days as an ecologist, these magical ecosystems were the obvious choice for my focus and conservation efforts. But traditional conservation approaches have proven inadequate to save them. I have witnessed decades of draining, taming, conversion, and fragmentation and now see wetland natural resources being hotly contested, on the frontline as humans demand more water, food, and energy. In many places, water scarcity as well as rising floods are placing a limit on development and endangering peace. As risks related to devastating floods increase, the benefits of investing in wetlands as climate buffers, and as a basis for food security and equitable development, are increasingly recognized. But in terms of global wetland recovery, we are still settling into the starting blocks. Science is an insufficient basis for driving action. Accelerating the necessary change will depend on people revering and valuing wetlands more.

After meeting Fred Pearce some years ago at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, following his impassioned speech about the tragedy of the Aral Sea and other wetlands of the world, I knew instantly that we should work together. His storytelling reportage has since helped Wetlands International explain to a wider audience how enabling communities to better manage wetlands can improve their well-being and build resilience across whole landscapes. Over recent years, we have discussed the need for a book which would help to lift and refresh the image of wetlands and serve as a call to action.

With Water Lands, we bring you stories, images and examples from wetlands around the world which reveal what is really happening and what is at stake in future choices. We aim to instil a sense of urgency and also hope. Most of all, we aim to inspire you to follow, support, and join efforts that will result in a turnaround for wetlands, their nature, and peoples.

Jane Madgwick

Chief Executive Officer, Wetlands International