What is a wetland? And 8 other wetland facts

Wetlands are aquatic environments that provide critical ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and water filtration, yet 87% of the world's wetlands have been lost over the last 300 years. They can store up to 50 times more carbon than rainforests and support the livelihoods of 300 to 400 million people. Conservation efforts include the Freshwater Challenge, which aims to commit 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands to restoration by 2030.

• Wetlands are highly efficient carbon sinks, capable of storing 50 times more carbon than rainforests by burying high-carbon matter like leaves and animal waste under water and sediment.
• The global loss of wetlands is severe, with as much as 87% disappearing over the past 300 years, with a significant portion of this loss occurring after 1900.
• Wetlands act as natural wastewater treatment facilities by trapping heavy metals and phosphorus in soil, breaking down bacteria, and transforming nitrogen for plant absorption.
• The Freshwater Challenge is a country-led initiative, joined by the United States and 43 other nations, targeting the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands by 2030.
• Wetlands are critical for human food security and livelihoods, supporting the cultivation of rice for half the global population and providing essential resources for 300 to 400 million people.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). What is a wetland? And 8 other wetland facts. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/what-is-a-wetland-and-8-other-wetland-facts/

Chicago

WWF International. What is a wetland? And 8 other wetland facts. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/what-is-a-wetland-and-8-other-wetland-facts/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=What is a wetland? And 8 other wetland facts |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/what-is-a-wetland-and-8-other-wetland-facts/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndwhat, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{What is a wetland? And 8 other wetland facts}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/what-is-a-wetland-and-8-other-wetland-facts/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }