Explain the cause of degradation of wetland ecosystem. Also explain its social, ecological, and environmental importance.

Answer: Wetlands are ecosystems saturated with water either reasonably or permanently. They include mangroves, marshes, rivers, lakes, deltas, flood plains, flooded forest, and marine areas which are not deeper than 6 meters at low tides.

In India, nearly 4.6% of its land is wetland and total 48 sites designated as ‘Wetland of International Importance’ by Ramsar Convention.

Environmental Advantages of Wetland Ecosystems

  • Habitat to plants and animals
  • Water regulation and recycling
  • Flood control
  • Erosion control
  • Food, fisheries production
  • Carbon sequestration

Factors Attributed to Degradation of Wetlands

  • Rising urbanization
  • Changing land-use pattern by including more land under agriculture
  • Pollution or eutrophication due to fertilizer and pesticides run ....
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