Why in News?
The Global Wetland Outlook (GWO) 2025, released by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention (1971), reveals severe degradation of wetlands across the globe, particularly in Africa, which has some of the most critically damaged wetland ecosystems.
Global Wetland Coverage
- Wetlands include: Seagrass, Kelp Forests, Coral Reefs, Estuarine Waters, Salt Marshes, Mangroves, Tidal Flats, Lakes, Rivers and Streams, Inland Marshes, Swamps, and Peatlands.
- They cover over 1,800 million hectares worldwide, spanning inland freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
- However, data inconsistency and historical gaps hinder accurate assessment.
Loss and Degradation
- Since 1970, the world has lost 411 million hectares of wetlands – a 22% global decline.
- The average annual loss rate stands at -0.52%.
- Worst-hit regions:
- Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean
- Rising ecological damage in Europe, North America, and Oceania
- Wetlands are in the worst condition in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
- Developed and upper-middle-income countries report more wetlands in good than poor condition.