TYPES OF WETLANDS
The Ramsar Convention, MEA Board-2015. Under the text of the Convention (Article 1.1), wetlands are defined as: “areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water logged area, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters”. The Ramsar convention was conducted in the Iranian city called Ramsar and focused on wise use of all the wetlands through local national and international cooperation as a contribution towards attaining sustainable development.
Wetlands are divided into five major types depending on variations in their characteristics and these are:
Riverine wetlands: these are wetlands connected by rivers. They are found along the edges of rivers, streams and creeks and include rivers, floodplains, marshes, lakes and billabongs. They mostly have freshwater. Inland riverine wetlands provide breeding and feeding habitats for many plants and animals, such as reeds, water birds and fish. They are important for absorbing, recycling and releasing nutrients and trapping sediment.
Marine wetlands are saltwater wetlands exposed to waves, currents and tides in an oceanic setting. Marine wetlands include coral reefs, and aquatic sub tidal beds with sea grass and kelps. Coastal and marine wetlands are important nursery and feeding areas for animals such as fish, dugongs, and marine turtles. These wetlands are greatly valued for tourism and recreation. Coastal wetlands also provide important habitats for migratory water birds.
Estuarine wetlands, including Delta’s, tidal marshes and mangrove swamps. According to Queensland (2017) estuarine ecology consists of special types of wetlands termed as the estuarine wetlands found where the river meets the sea. Estuaries are home to unique plant and animal communities that have adapted to brackish water, a mixture of fresh water draining from the land and salt seawater.
Lacustrine wetland: these are the wetland that associates with lake or reservoir. According to Queensland (2015).” Lacustrine wetlands are swamps within lakes or reservoir with shallow depth and growth of aquatic vegetation, these wetlands are inhabited by delicate life of Flora and fauna”.
Plustrine wetland: this is kind of wetland that includes marshy marshes, swamps and bogs.
According to, Karumba Progress Association (2008). A non-tidal wetland with ocean derived salinity of less than 0.5%. The word plustrine is derived from the latin word palus which is translated as marshes in English. These wetland are dominated by mosses, lichen shrubs and trees.
Wetland are critical part of our natural environment, they protect our shores from wave action, they reduce impacts of floods, absorbs pollutants and improves water quality, they are also provide habitat for plants and animals and many contain a wide diversity of life supporting plant and animals that are found nowhere else.
