Caring for the wetlands

Wetlands are the source of livelihood of more than half the population of the Philippines, and the home of 1,616 species of flora and 3,675 species of fauna, according to the DENR-UN Environment Program.

Wetlands are areas of permanent or periodic inundation, fresh, brackish or saline, static or flowing. It includes areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters. It generally features plants and animals that thrive on wet conditions.

There are several types of wetlands. They are mangroves, freshwater and saltwater lakes, estuaries, mudflats, swamps, rivers, creeks, marshes, streams, seagrass beds, shallow coastal inshore waters, and lands, which are flooded periodically. The widely known lakes are Taal Lake, Laguna de Bay, Looc Lake, Lake Lanao, Lake Buhi and Pinatubo Lakes. Among the most popular freshwater swamps and marshes are Candaba swamp and Agusan marsh.

Wetlands are a precious resource. Aside from being rich repository of biodiversity and source food, fishes and livelihood opportunities, they offer several functions and uses. They are the source of continued flow of water supply, groundwater and surface waters. Their vegetation captures the flow of topsoil brought about by soil erosion. They serve as buffer to the effects of typhoons. They are also homes for water flows and other forms of wildlife, and temporary resting places for migrating birds. They can also be places for recreation and bird watching.

At present the monetary value of wetlands can be immediately determined from the fishery sector where considerable income and national foreign exchange earnings are generated. Exports are in the form of highly cultured shrimps, tuna, seaweed, and milkfish among others. In fact, in 1990, the Philippines ranked 11th among the fish producing countries in the world.

Their other monetary values are yet to be accounted accurately. But considering their functions such as catchment basins, nature conservation areas, education, flood control and areas for scientific research for future uses, such as medicines and other products, their values are enormous.

Despite the varied uses and values of the wetlands it seems that they have been taken for granted. They suffer from over-exploitation, manipulation, and degradation. They become wasteland to be developed as drainage and reclamation areas. Worse, they become dumping sites for garbage. Siltation caused by destruction of watersheds also lessens its productivity.

Because wetlands are dwindling elsewhere, and the country increasingly needs its amenities, there is more reason to manage them effectively. The Philippines along with other 17 nations signed the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also known as Ramsar (taken from the place where the convention was held) Convention. It is also supporting the 1985 World Conservation Union (IUCN) in its worldwide campaign to conserve wetlands. The NBSAP of PAWB-DENR has also lined up several projects for the conservation, protection and development of wetlands.