The world is rapidly losing wetlands—ecosystems vital for water purification, flood control, and food production. Economic losses are projected to reach US$39 trillion by 2050, according to a new report from the Convention on Wetlands released on July 15.
Since 1970, 22% of global wetlands—ranging from freshwater rivers and peatlands to coastal mangroves and coral reefs—have disappeared, making them the fastest-disappearing ecosystem on the planet. The loss is being driven by land-use changes, agricultural expansion, pollution, and climate impacts like sea level rise and drought.
To reverse course, the report calls for annual investments between US$275 billion and US$550 billion—warning that current spending falls far short of what's needed. Wetlands, it emphasizes, aren’t just ecological treasures—they’re economic lifelines.
From fisheries and farming to carbon storage and cultural heritage, wetlands sustain life across the globe. Click through this gallery to discover some of the planet’s most extraordinary wetlands.