Valencia’s Manifesto for Wetlands
On February 6, in connection with World Wetlands Day, Spanish scientists, environmentalists and public organizations presented a ‘Manifesto for Wetlands’ in Valencia.
Weather extremes such as prolonged droughts or torrential rains are becoming more frequent in the Mediterranean due to climate change. In this context, wetlands are fundamental when it comes to water management and mitigating floods. However, the surface area of these wetlands continues to shrink, which could affect their capacity to buffer extreme weather events.
Manifesto for Wetlands
There is a heightened interest in Valencia for the role of ecosystems in the mitigation of the impacts of climate change and major disasters such as DANA. Now, more than fifty Spanish organizations - including our RIWET partners from The LIMNE Foundation - are promoting a manifesto to avoid the degradation of wetlands.
The manifesto, was presented at a recent event held in Valencia. At this event, in depth discussions revolved around the crucial role of ecosystems in the territory’s approach to climate change and major disasters such as DANA.
World Wetlands Day
According to the Spanish National Inventory of Wetlands (INZH), almost 50% of the wetlands in Spain are in an unfavourable state or have disappeared. In addition, only 13.2% can be considered healthy, taking into account ‘the quality of the habitat required by their bird populations’. In this context, and in relation to the celebration of World Wetlands Day on February 2, scientific, environmental and social entities presented the “Manifesto for Wetlands ” in Valencia.
Commitment to conservation
In this public declaration, administrations are urged to strengthen the protection and restoration of these ecosystems, and to provide adequate budget. In particular, they demand a stable commitment to wetland conservation, supported by resources within the region’s ‘Strategic Plan for Wetlands 2030’.
There is also an emphasis on the need to improve water quality and promote a more sustainable management of water resources in order to curb further degradation.
The Albufera de València
According to the signatories, the reduction of wetlands can affect water management, agricultural activity and the climate change resilience. During the presentation, the fundamental role of these ecosystems in water regulation was highlighted. The Albufera de València – a Ramsar* wetland and unique nature park - is a prime example of this capacity to mitigate the effects of extreme phenomena.
“Investing in wetlands is not an expense, it is investing in the sustainability and security of our living environment. Relinquishing on their conservation is equivalent to weakening our natural barriers to climate change and overlooking the urgent need to adapt our landscapes,” explained our RIWET colleagues from LIMNE.
Public declaration, growing interest
This public declaration has been promoted by the Global Nature Foundation, the Limne Foundation (a RIWET partner), the Limnology Research Group of the Cavanilles Institute (University of Valencia), the Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, the New Water Culture Foundation, Acció Ecologista-AGRÓ, the Spanish Society of Organic Agriculture, the Assut Foundation and the Associació Per L'Horta.
In recent days, more than 50 organisations have joined the call of the promoters of the manifesto, showing a growing public interest in protecting those ecosystems.
With thanks to David Campos from The LIMNE Foundation
*Ramsar : Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat