Wetlandsby Mathieu DOHOUNHEHO | 19-02-2019 08:29 |
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 Wetlands are territories whose biotope and distribution of living organisms are mainly characterized by the presence of water, regardless of its degree of salinity. According to the Law on Water and Aquatic Environments (Lema), any "land, whether exploited or not, usually flooded or gorged with fresh, salty or brackish water permanently or temporarily" whose "vegetation, when it exists, is dominated by hygrophilic plants for at least part of the year" is considered as a wetland. The Ramsar Convention provides an even broader definition of these environments, including a larger part of the marine domain. Wetlands within the meaning of this Convention are any "areas of marshes, fens, peat bogs or natural or artificial waters, permanent or temporary, where the water is stagnant or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water whose depth at low tide does not exceed six metres". They are essential for the infinite benefits they provide to humanity, from freshwater supply, biodiversity, flood control, groundwater recharge and climate change mitigation to food and building materials. However, one study after another shows that, in most parts of the world, wetlands are experiencing a continuous decline in their size and quality. As a result, the ecosystem services they provide to people are compromised. Wetlands around the world offer many services to humans. In agriculture, for example, they can be used for the:
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