Important Wetlands in the Word: Wetlands are found everywhere and are the most diverse ecosystems, meaning they have many different kinds of plants and animals. They are homes for lots of animals that live in water and on land. Wetlands are also crucial for many birds that travel from one place to another. Types of wetlands include swamps, bogs, marshes and estuaries. An overview of some the most important wetlands in the world.
10. Camargue- Important Wetlands in the World
The Camargue is a big area in the southeast of France where the Rhone River ends. About one-third of it is made up of lakes or wetlands. It’s a great spot in Europe to watch birds because many different kinds live there. The salty ponds are one of the few places in Europe where you can find big pink flamingos. The Camargue is also known for its special bulls and horses.
9. Wasur National Park- Important Wetlands in the World
Wasur National Park is a huge area of wetlands in Papua, Indonesia, on the island of New Guinea. It’s called the Serengeti of Papua because it has a lot of different plants and animals. There are many rare animals and birds living there. The best place to see animals in the park is Rawa Biru Lake, which is part of the wetlands. There are lots of different kinds of birds, like ducks and migratory birds, as well as cassowaries and wallabies. Sadly, some plants and animals from other places are causing problems for the natural grasslands in the park.
8. iSimangaliso Wetland Park- Important Wetlands in the World
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park), is one of the most diverse region in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. iSimangaliso is well known for its extensive wetlands, sand dunes, beaches and coral reefs. Animals occurring on the park include elephants, leopard, black and white rhino, buffalo, and in the ocean, whales, dolphins, and marine turtles.
7. Mekong Delta- Important Wetlands in the World
The Mekong Delta is a place in southern Vietnam where the Mekong River flows into the sea. It’s a very fertile area with lots of rice fields, and it makes about half of all the food grown in Vietnam. People in the Mekong Delta mostly rely on the river for their daily life, and they usually travel between villages by boat instead of by road.
6. Kakadu Wetlands- Important Wetlands in the World
Kakadu National Park is a big park in the Northern Territory of Australia, about half as big as Switzerland. It has a lot of different habitats and is great for seeing animals. You can see both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles resting on the riverbanks and in the water. One famous place in Kakadu is the Yellow Water billabong.
Near a small place called Cooinda, there’s a place called Yellow Water where you can find crocodiles, wild horses, buffalo, and other animals. When it rains a lot, the Yellow Water fills up and connects with other rivers. This place is also a favorite spot for many birds that fly there every year.
5. Kerala backwaters- Important Wetlands in the World
The Kerala backwaters are a series of lakes and lagoons running alongside the Arabian Sea coast in southern India’s Kerala state. They’re connected by canals, some made by people and others formed naturally, and fed by 38 rivers. Many different animals live in the backwaters, like crabs, frogs, mudskippers, water birds, otters, and turtles. Nowadays, the most popular thing to do there is go on houseboat tours. These houseboats are old rice boats that have been turned into floating hotels, and they travel along the waterways.
4. Everglades- Important Wetlands in the World
In Florida, there’s a huge area called the Everglades. It’s like a big, slow river made of grass that goes from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. When it’s not raining much, most of it dries up except for the deeper parts. Lots of different birds and animals live there, and some pets have gotten loose and now live in the Everglades.
One animal causing trouble there is the Burmese python, originally from Asia. It’s now competing with the American Alligator, which is the biggest reptile in North America, for food. In 2009, people removed more than 1,200 Burmese pythons from the Everglades National Park.
3. Okavango Delta- Important Wetlands in the World
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a big area of water in the desert. It’s formed where the Okavango River flows into a basin and most of the water just disappears into the air instead of going to the ocean.
The delta is famous for having lots of different animals like elephants, hippos, giraffes, crocodiles, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, and zebras. Many of these animals don’t stay in the delta all year. They leave when it rains a lot and come back when it’s drier.
2. Sundarbans- Important Wetlands in the World
The Sundarbans is the biggest mangrove forest in the world, found in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. Its name means “beautiful jungle” in Bengali. Many predators, including about 500 Bengal tigers, live in this area’s complex network of channels, branches, and roots.
Unlike in other places, these tigers swim and hunt among the mangrove islands, targeting animals like Chital deer and Wild boar. Sometimes, they also attack people who go into the forest. There are also two types of crocodiles, the Saltwater Crocodile and Mugger crocodile, which are also predators in the Sundarbans.
1. Pantanal- Important Wetlands in the World
The Pantanal is the biggest wetland in the world, mainly in Western Brazil but also stretching into Bolivia and Paraguay. It’s famous for its animals and is a big attraction for tourists in Brazil. Unlike many other places with lots of animals, in the Pantanal, you’re almost certain to see wildlife. There are millions of Capybaras and Yacare Caimans there.
Some animals, like the Giant River Otter, are a bit harder to find but still easier than in the Amazon. The Pantanal is also the best place in the Americas to see a Jaguar in the wild because there’s not as much thick forest covering the area.
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