On February 2, the world celebrated World Wetlands Day 2024 and Deputy Director of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), Dr. Rahanna Juman, wrote this story as part of the Institute’s activities to commemorate the day.
With wetlands and humans having an intricate connection throughout history, it’s important that recognition be given to the role that these ecosystems have played in maintaining the well-being of humans.
For centuries, settlements have been established near wetlands for access to fish, freshwater for farming activities, shipping and tourism.
Abound with silt-rich soil and plants that naturally filter, and store freshwater, these ecosystems supported the development of civilised communities in the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates Rivers.
They also played a major role in supporting large populations of people in Asia and humid areas of the world via rice production in lowlands.
Today, wetlands remain central to food security and livelihoods.
More than half of the world’s population relies on wetland-grown produce for their staple diet while more than one billion people rely on fish from wetlands as their primary source of protein.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands estimates that rice paddies feed 3.5 billion people annually and further studies estimate that these ecosystems contribute US $42 billion to global fisheries.
With about one in eight people globally making their livelihoods from wetlands, they continue to be a valuable ecosystem which also contributes to climate mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity and human health.
Wetlands in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago’s coasts were once lined with large mangrove trees that were supported by massive, entangled roots teeming with wildlife.
These areas were a familiar setting where our grandfathers and fathers hunted crabs to put in the Sunday callaloo, and harvested oysters that were sold in spicy sauce around the Queen Parks Savannah.
But following decades of infrastructure projects, and a lack of understanding and appreciation for these important coastal mangrove forests, as much as 50 per cent of these mangroves were cleared to build houses, businesses and ports.
Before the country’s rapid infrastructural growth, its nearshore on the west coast was covered by extensive seagrass meadows that provided homes for a variety of species including starfishes, urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs and conchs.
These meadows also supported many fish like seahorses and were nurseries for commercial species like snappers, grunts and shrimp.
But like the coastal mangrove forests, these seagrass meadows were also decimated by construction and land reclamation projects.
Today, the very sparse seagrass areas that remain are subjected to land–based pollution and sedimentation.
Tobago’s coral reefs, which form the natural infrastructure for the tourism sector, are also being degraded due to land-based pollution, unsustainable harvesting, and invasive species like lionfish.
These factors make the island’s reefs more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change like ocean acidification, coral bleaching and diseases.
Protecting wetlands
Policy makers and development planners are now realising the importance of wetlands as coastlines erode, frequent coastal flooding occurs and fisheries resources become depleted which is reflected in higher prices in the markets.
With this in mind, it’s important for steps to be taken to revive and restore wetlands so that they can continue to provide water, food, support for biodiversity, resources for livelihoods and mitigation against climate change.
As Trinidad and Tobago joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Wetlands Day on February 2, the country must continue being guided by the messages of the Ramsar Convention which include:
- Investing in the sustainable use of wetlands which in turn means investing in the future of humanity.
- Supporting wetlands so they can continue can provide multiple economic, social and cultural benefits that support human wellbeing.
- Restoring wetlands which play an essential role in overcoming the climate-biodiversity crisis
Join the Institute of Marine Affairs as we work towards providing the science needed to sustainably manage Trinidad and Tobago’s wetlands. The IMA continues to monitor wetlands throughout Trinidad and Tobago, and has partnered with the private sector to help rehabilitate degraded coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests through community engagement.
