Blurring Thresholds by Nelisha Mehta (B.Arch Thesis)

1.1 Society of Wetlands
Ramsar Convention, the society of wetlands, defines wetlands
as, “areas where water is the primary factor controlling the
environment and the associated plant and animal life. They occur
where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, or where
the land is covered by water.”(Ramsar Information paper no.1).
In other words, wetlands are vital ecosystems which are
dynamic in nature due to the fluctuating water table present
in these areas. Their water table levels are either close to
the surface of the earth or above it, submerging the land
underneath the water bodies. These ecosystems sustain various
distinct species of plants, animals and birds. In addition,
they provide a wide range of services to human beings.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was established in 1971 in
the Iranian city, Ramsar. Over the course of 50 years, the vision
of Ramsar Convention initiative has shifted. The organization’s
aim of protecting wetlands only for their importance to wildlife
has transformed into the goal of restoring them for their
optimized use to both, wildlife and people. Since it’s conception
169 countries, that is 90% of the UN member states have been
registered in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International
Importance, a list containing the wetlands in the different
countries of the world (Water Management Institute (IWMI) 3).
Figure 1.1: Ecology of wetland between terrestrial and aquatic systems
Figure 1.2: Ecology of wetland between terrestrial and terrestrial systems
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