Houston Parks Board’s Post

Today, on World Wetlands Day, let's take a moment to celebrate and appreciate the invaluable role that wetlands play in our ecosystem. These diverse and vibrant habitats not only support a wide range of plant and animal species but also provide essential services for human communities, such as flood control, water purification, and carbon storage. It's crucial that we recognize the significance of wetlands and work towards their conservation and sustainable management. Let's join hands to protect and promote the preservation of these vital ecosystems for the benefit of our planet and future generations. #WorldWetlandsDay #Conservation #Sustainability

Wetlands and floodplains play a crucial role in mitigating damage from extreme rainfall, which is expected to occur more frequently as the planet warms. These ecosystems absorb water to reduce flooding and gradually release water into creeks and streams over time. As climate change drives more frequent atmospheric rivers and flooding, municipalities are seeking to restore wetlands and floodplains to enhance community resilience. Robin Annschild, Wetland & Stream Restoration Specialist and owner of Rewilding Water and Earth, states that wetland restoration leads to more climate-resilient habitats for wildlife and humans. In British Columbia, Annschild notes a growing demand for wetland restoration. Her clients include municipalities, First Nations, and conservation groups like the BC Wildlife Federation. “Wetland and stream and watershed restoration is preventive,” Annschild said. “It helps repair pest damage; it helps to prepare us better for extreme weather, like the storms and the challenges that are coming from climate change.” As the federal government aims to protect 30 per cent of Canada’s land and water by 2030, many newly protected areas will need restoration. Read more about Rewilding Water and Earth >>> https://lnkd.in/gV9w_ZsM

We had organised this day with the collaboration of USPCAS-W and MUCEE. On this occasion we were focusing on the importance of the wetlands, their functions and how they provide a wide range of benefits to our environment. Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity. These dynamic ecosystems, encompassing marshes, swamps, and bogs, provide a myriad of essential functions. Wetlands act as natural filters, purifying water by trapping pollutants and sediments, thereby enhancing water quality. Additionally, they serve as vital flood buffers, absorbing excess water during storms and mitigating the impact of floods on surrounding areas. Wetlands also play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate climate change by storing large amounts of carbon. And also these habitats serve as breeding grounds for various species, supporting rich biological diversity. Birds, fish, and numerous other wildlife depend on wetlands for nesting, feeding, and migration. Preserving and restoring wetlands is not just an environmental imperative but also a commitment to sustaining the delicate balance of ecosystems and safeguarding the benefits they offer to both nature and human communities. #SaveWetlands #savelife #savetheplanet #manchharlake

South America’s #Atlantic #Forest is a global #biodiversity hotspot that has suffered significant deforestation and fragmentation. A new paper led by WildCRU’s Caroline Sartor identifies priority core areas and corridors crucial to the survival of Southern #Tigrina populations. Authors highlight that the establishment of a well-connected network of #protected #areas and effective #conservation of natural vegetation on private rural lands can ensure the long-term persistence of this and other threatened species. Sartor, C.C., Cushman, S.A., Wan, H.Y. et al. Prioritizing conservation areas to mitigate connectivity loss and local extinction risk of a small carnivore (Leopardus guttulus) in South America. Biodivers Conserv (2024). https://lnkd.in/d7p45uRu

In the event of a partial ecosystem collapse, the repercussions reverberate throughout the area, setting off chain reactions that has the potential to lay waste to the delicate balance of life sustained there. A vivid illustration of this is currently unfolding in the fragile environment of the Florida Everglades. This pristine ecosystem has been grappling with a critical shortfall in nutrient-rich water. Consequently, thousands of acres of seagrass meadows — the veritable lungs of the aquatic habitat — have been experiencing mass die-offs. This not only disrupts the natural carbon sink function of the seagrasses but also leaves the waters exposed to soaring temperatures, smashing previous records. The aquatic denizens, including an array of fish species and crustaceans, find themselves in an increasingly hostile environment, with many succumbing to the intolerable conditions. #EcosystemCollapse #FloridaEvergladesCrisis #SeagrassDieOff #ClimateCrisis #MarineLifeAtRisk #ProtectOurOceans #EnvironmentalChainReaction SustainableConservation #AquaticHabitatDestruction #UrgentEcologicalAction #WaterTemperatureRise

How do elephants help us fight climate change? Find out at the #AfricaClimateSummit23, where IFAW will present its #Room2Roam initiative, a visionary approach to conservation that protects elephants and their habitats, while also empowering local communities to coexist with wildlife. #Room2Roam #ProtectNature #Climate #ACS23