Blurring Thresholds by Nelisha Mehta (B.Arch Thesis)

1.2 Significance of the Sustenance of Wetlands
Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems globally.
They are beneficial to three categories of living organisms
on Earth – animal kingdom, the plant kingdom and human
beings. They are significant in the sustenance of several
endangered species from the plant and animal kingdom as
they are the primary source of water for them. They are home
to high numbers of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals
and invertebrate species. Additionally, Marine and Coastal
Wetlands are home to coral reefs, that contain the most
diverse fish compositions in the world. They are also key
storehouses for genetic material of plants, earning the title,
‘the cradles of biodiversity’ (Ramsar Information paper no.1).
Furthermore, they have provided multiple benefits to humanity
throughout history. Many ancient civilizations like the Mayas,
Incas, and Aztecs in Latin America, Marsh Arabs in Mesopotamia,
and Khmer in Asia settled near these wetlands as they depended
on them for their livelihood. Nowadays, wetlands help to address
critical concerns of poor nutrition and lack of clean water for the
poor. For instance, in developing countries like Zambia, where
most of the population is poor, wetlands contribute to around
5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and in Tanzania’s
Kilombero Valley it makes up to 80% of cash income in the
poor households(Water Management Institute (IWMI) 3,5).
Figure 1.5: Venn theory depicting the three beneficiaries of wetlands
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