Wetlands and Livelihoods.

 



The conservation and wise use of wetlands are critical to sustainable livelihoods.

WETLANDS AND LIVELIHOODS


• Wetlands support people globally through fishing, farming, handicraft and medicinal resources. • These livelihoods often are tied to cultural identity and are based on knowledge passed down through generations. • From papyrus weaving in Africa to rice farming in Asia’s floodplains, traditional practices reflect a deep understanding of wetland dynamics. • About one in eight people depend on wetlands for their livelihoods – more than a billion people worldwide. • Ongoing wetland loss harms biodiversity and worsens poverty. We must act to protect wetlands while creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods that benefit both people and nature. • A key challenge is to change mindsets to encourage governments and communities to value and prioritize wetlands. Such efforts must include a people-centered approach to understanding the needs and vulnerabilities of those whose livelihoods depend on these ecosystems.

WETLANDS AND LIVELIHOODS IN THE SAVELUGU MUNICIPALITY, GHANA.
 A study of three wetlands and four nearby communities in Ghana’s Northern Region found that wetlands were critical resources for livelihoods and food security. Among respondents, 79% felt their households were food secure, and of those, 73% credited wetland resources. Fertile soil for agriculture and tree nursery development, fish for food, and income from the sale of wetland-related products were the key contributions of wetlands to their food security.







“IMAGINE A SENEGALESE WOMAN HARVESTING WATER LILIES TO MAKE A TASTY LOCAL DELICACY OR A BOATMAN IN THE SUNDARBANS DELIVERING GOODS THROUGH MARSHY WATERS, SERVING AS THE ONLY METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. IF WETLANDS DISAPPEAR, SO DO THESE JOBS – AND MANY OTHERS. – Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands
Location: 405 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017, USA

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