Types of Wetlands
The most comprehensive definition of the wetland is provided by the Ramsar Convention of 1971. Its broad definition encompasses:
- Freshwater wetlands: Floodplains of rivers and boundaries of streams, natural lakes, artificial reservoirs; springs, fens, and seeps; freshwater marshes and swamps, bogs, and vernal ponds.
- Brackish water wetlands: Tidal marshes and mangrove swamps, estuaries, and deltas.
- Marine Wetlands: Coastal lagoons and coastal waters up to the depth of 6m at low tide and any island, rock, or coral reef lying within these wetlands.
Wetlands and Wise Use Principle of the Ramsar Convention
Wetlands are distinct ecosystems, that are flooded either permanently or temporarily resulting in an anoxic (oxygen-free) environment and hydric soils. These may be considered as ecotones, providing a transition between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These are characterized by the hydric soils and hydrophytes (aquatic plants) adapted to wetland conditions.
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