About Wetland Wetlands, are one of the crucial natural resources. Wetlands are areas of land that are either temporarily or permanently covered by water. This means that a wetland is neither truly aquatic nor terrestrial; it is possible that wetlands can be both at the same time depending on seasonal variability. Thus, wetlands exhibit enormous diversity according to their genesis, geographical location, water regime and chemistry, dominant plants and soil or sediment characteristics. Because of their transitional nature, the boundaries of wetlands are often difficult to define. Wetlands do, however, share a few attributes common to all forms. Of these, hydrological structure (the dynamics of water supply, throughput, storage and loss) is most fundamental to the nature of a wetland system. It is the presence of water for a significant period of time which is principally responsible for the development of a wetland. One of the first widely used classifications systems, devised by Cowardin et al, 1979, was associated to its hydrological, ecological and geological aspects, such as: marine (coastal wetlands including rock shores and coral reefs, estuarine (including deltas, tidal marshes, and mangrove swamps), lacustarine (lakes), riverine (along rivers and streams), palustarine ('marshy'- marshes, swamps and bogs). Given these characteristics, wetlands support a large variety of plant and animal species adapted to fluctuating water levels, making the wetlands of critical ecological significance. Utility wise, wetlands directly and indirectly support millions of people in providing services such as food, fiber and raw materials, storm and flood control, clean water supply, scenic beauty and educational and recreational benefits. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment estimates conservatively that wetlands cover seven percent of the earth’s surface and deliver 45% of the world’s natural productivity and ecosystem services of which the benefits are estimated at $20 trillion a year (Source: www.MAweb.org). The Millennium Assessment (MA) uses the following typology to categorise ecosystem services: Provisioning services: The resources or products provided by ecosystems, such as food, raw materials (wood), genetic resources, medicinal resources, ornamental resources (skin, shells, flowers). Regulating services: Ecosystems maintain the essential ecological processes and life support systems, like gas and climate regulation, water supply and regulation, waste treatment, pollination, etc. Cultural and Amenity services: Ecosystems are a source of inspiration to human culture and education throughout recreation, cultural, artistic, spiritual and historic information, Science and education. Supporting services: Ecosystems provide habitat for flora and fauna in order to maintain biological and genetic diversity. Despite these benefits, wetlands are the first target of human interference and are among the most threatened of all natural resources. Around 50% of the earth’s wetland area is estimated to already have disappeared over the last hundred years through conversion to industrial, agricultural and residential developments. Even in current scenario, when the ecosystem services provided by wetlands are better understood - degradation and conversion of wetlands continues. This is largely due to the fact that the ‘full value’ of ecosystem functions is often ignored in policy-making, plans and corporate evaluations of development projects. Contact Us Divisional Commissioner Konkan Division, Konkan Bhavan, C.B.D Belapur, Navi Mumbai (Thane District) Divisional Commissioner Konkan Division, Opposite Jahangir Art Gallery, Old Secretariat, Fort, Mumbai - 400 032. 022-27571501 Deputy Conservator of Forest (Mangrove Cell) 2nd Floor,A wing,SRA building, A K Marg, Bandra East, Mumbai - 400051 022 26591586 https://www.konkanwetland.com/