Located in a semi-arid region and subject to large fluctuations in flooded area, the site includes permanent and seasonal swamp, riverine floodplains and a seasonal freshwater lake. It is also archaeologically and culturally valuable due to the remains of old cities such as the abandoned Tuareg town of Assodé, Neolithic engravings showing animals such as giraffes, elephants which have become locally extinct, and objects such as arrows, pottery and shells which are a reminder of the camel caravans that used to pass through. Image: The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland. Lying mostly in Western Brazil but extending into Bolivia and Paraguay as well, the Pantanal is the world’s largest and… Canada's largest Ramsar site embraces a vast tundra plain that includes the open sea, coastal bays, intertidal zones, tidal estuaries, deltas, lowland rivers and freshwater lakes. Pantanal it is one of the most ecological diverse national parks in the region of Brazil. It is home to more than 4,700 species, including plants and vertebrates. Águeda García de Durango. The vast Pantanal wetland in Brazil, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, has been badly burned in wildfires worsened by climate change. The Pantanal is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the world’s largest natural wetland. View our inclusive approach to conservation. It is traversed by three major rivers that converge to form the Madeira River, the major southern tributary of the Amazon River. The areas that are protected are globally significant, with … With a surface area that ranges, depending on the source, from 140,000 km² to 220.000 km², it is also known in Spanish as Laguna de Xarayes or Laguna de Jarayes. A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally, where oxygen-free processes prevail. The park covers over 110,000 hectares and is home to one of the largest wetlands in Western Europe, including marshes and ponds. Río Negro (Brazil): it is the largest RAMSAR site in the world, extending across more than 120,000 km² in Brazil. Other Ramsar sites include pristine reefs in the Coral Triangle, endangered gorilla habitat in Africa Rift Valley, and high altitude wetlands in the Himalayas. Blog associated to: Recommended blog posts. It hosts a number of endangered species such as the cheetah, Barbary sheep and Dorcas gazelle, as well as the critically endangered addax (Addax nasomaculatus). "A living Amazon is important for all of humanity, and we applaud Bolivia for taking action to help safeguard this shared treasure.". These wetlands can survive one devastating year and maybe another, but it cannot survive such devastation indefinitely. The Llanos de Moxos is among 2,040 Ramsar global sites covering more than 476 million acres. 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It is also an important breeding ground for geese, snow geese and many other aquatic birds, as well as seals and large mammals. Join us to make change. It spreads over nearly 60,000 km², and it is of great importance for the socio-economic development of the sub-region, since the Ubangi and Congo rivers are used to transport goods between Central African Republic and Chad and the Atlantic Ocean. It also is a spawning and nursery ground for several fish families, and plays a role in flood control, groundwater recharge, sediment trapping and chemical regulation of the waters. The world's largest protected wetland was announced by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The site plays a very important role for the surrounding wildlife, providing breeding grounds for several migratory waterbirds and supporting hippos, leopards, elephants and different antelope species. The majority of this area is in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Grands affluents (Congo): it consists of large expanses along the Congo River. The fires are threatening ecosystems in one of the most important areas in the world for biodiversity. Therefore, today we highlight the 10 largest wetlands in the world: The Pantanal (Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay): this floodplain is located in western Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil) and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. We undertake direct action to conserve sites and species, and catalyse wider action through demonstrating what works, building the evidence, providing training and guidance, engaging the public, and advocating to decision-makers. This park went on to become the first World Heritage Site located in South Africa. Considered one of the most important biomes in the world, it is a key habitat for more than 1,000 animal species, including 36 facing extinction, as well as large numbers of trees and aquatic plants. Washington, DC 20037. 290 species of flowering plants and 150 bird species have been counted at the site, including permanent residents and Palearctic migrants. Many of these areas and the animals that inhabit them are increasingly threatened by climate change, natural disasters, invasive species, and habitat loss. The area includes lakes, ponds, marshes, flooded and swampy forests, along permanent and temporary rivers such as the Ubangi, Sangha, Likouala-Mossaka and Alima (Congo tributaries). Earth's largest tropical wetland is burning, and with it, the species that call it home. The wetlands are especially prized for their rich natural diversity, harboring an impressive array of wildlife, including rare and threatened species like the giant river otter, Bolivian river dolphin, and the critically endangered Blue-throated macaw. further it extends to Bolivia and Paraguay. Speak up for species and places through WWF's Action Center. This year, the Pantanal – the world’s largest tropical wetland – has seen three times as many fires as 2019, exacerbated by climate change and likely started by humans. The site, known as Llanos de Moxos, is located in the South American country of Bolivia. Only part of the Pantanal is a national park, but local farmers protect the area and their cattle seem to coexist with the wildlife with little conflict. Located right along the banks of the Mississippi, LSU's College of the Coast & Environment, or CC&E, houses the largest group of wetlands experts under one roof in Louisiana and in a single college. At more than 17 million acres, the wetland is roughly equal in size to the US state of North Dakota. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance is an intergovernmental treaty, signedby 160 countries in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. Editor-in-Chief of iAgua and Smart Water Magazine. To date, 131 species of mammals, 568 different birds, 102 reptiles, 62 amphibians, 625 fish and at least 1,000 plant species have been identified in the Llanos de Moxos. The Pantonal • One of the largest wetlands in world located in southwestern Brazil. The Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland of any kind, lying mostly in Western Brazil but … At more than 17 million acres, the wetland is roughly equal in size to the US state of North Dakota. WWF was responsible for carrying out the necessary studies to qualify Llanos de Moxos as a designated Wetland of International Importance. World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID number 52-1693387) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is also home to endangered mammals such as the forest elephant, the gorilla and the hippopotamus, and offers refuge to migratory fish and bird species. Explanation: #HopeItHelps In the UK we have ten wetland sites that we manage for the benefit of the wildlife they support. • It’s a haven to 650 to 700 species of birds. This diverse biotope hosts a wide variety of plants, macroinvertebrates, fish, birds, reptiles and aquatic mammals. The Llanos de Moxos wetland is home to many species including the giant river otter. The world's largest tropical wetland in the Pantanal, South America is also one of the most important terrestrial carbon sinks. The transboundary area containing the Site and the adjacent Lake Télé in Republic of Congo contains the largest continental freshwater body in Africa, making it one of the most important wetlands in Africa and one of the largest freshwater bodies in the world. As we mentioned above Mato Grosso is home to world’s largest wetland Pantanal covering huge area of about 195, 000 sq.km. The Sudd. The world's largest protected wetland was announced by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetlands, popular for viewing jaguars, along with caiman, capybara and more. The diverse flora and fauna includes 1060 different plant species, 32 large mammal species, over 650 species of birds, 68 species of fish, and a highly diverse insect population, all of which include rare, endangered and endemic species. 32, e104. The project, currently on hold, would reduce wet and dry season flows by 20% and 10% respectively, thus impacting the wetland's ecology and consequently its inhabitants. October 1, 2020. Communication and Public Relations at YWP Spain. Located near the borders of Peru and Brazil in the southwestern corner of the Amazon basin, the Llanos de Moxos is made up of tropical savannas experiencing cyclical droughts and floods. Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia, 2020, vol. What happens to a rich and unique biome when so much is destroyed? With forty staff, we are one of the largest wetland conservation organisations in the world. Donate to support WWF's conservation efforts and select three pairs of socks to kick up your style! Esteros del Iberá (Argentina):The most important water reserve in Argentina is located in the province of Corrientes. Kafue Flats. It has a surface area of about 55,300 km². The Llanos de Moxos is among 2,040 Ramsar global sites covering more than … Editor-in-Chief of iAgua and Smart Water Magazine. About the blog. Plaines d'inondation des Bahr Aouk et Salamat (Chad):  a complex of floodplains, hills, a lake, rivers and ponds located in a natural depression at the border with the Central Africa Republic, with a surface area of 49,200 km². Degree in Environmental Sciences. Degree in Environmental Sciences. The extent of the Sudd wetlands is highly variable; it depends largely on the seasons and years respectively. As … It has a surface area of 12,000 km², and is part of a much larger basin, the Iberá macrosystem, with nearly 45,000 km², a subtropical and tropical ecosystem of great diversity. Danube Delta. All rights reserved. Small rural communities and private properties also exist in the region, both primarily dedicated to farming. This is where you'll find them. Why is hand washing effective against the coronavirus? Kakadu wetlands. The 10 largest wetlands in the world. Okavango Delta (Botswana): it is considered a fluvial fan more than a delta, and it is formed where the Okavango river flows into a practically endorheic plain with a much drier climate than the headwaters. Having identified Llanos de Moxos as a priority ecoregion, WWF has been supporting work in the area for nearly a decade under the Amazon Headwaters Initiative (AHI), a tri-national program aimed at safeguarding the southwestern headwaters of the Amazon Basin by preserving large expanses of forest and freshwater habitats in priority protected areas. Major Wetlands in the World 1. iSimangaliso Wetland Park. “This year, roughly a quarter of the vast Pantanal wetland in Brazil, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, has burned in wildfires worsened by climate change. According to the related link below, the world's largest wetland is the Pantanal, which covers 200,000 square kilometres (during the wet season) through Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. Known as ‘Earth’s kidneys’ because of the way they filter water, these ecosystems play a vital role, which is why World Wetlands Day (February 2) aims to highlight the importance of preserving areas such as marshes, rivers, swamps and floodplains. Queen Maud Gulf (Canada): this migratory bird sanctuary has a surface area of more than 62,780 km². To date, less than one-fifth of the world's wetlands, covering an area the size of Mexico, are protected. • Covers 140,000 km2, four times the size of the Florida Everglades, with about 131,000 km2of that area flooded annually. Kopački Rit is one of the most important, largest, and most attractive preserved intact wetlands in Europe. Kakadu wetlands, located in the northern territory of Australia, is spread nearly to 20,000 square... 3. WWF® and ©1986 Panda Symbol are owned by WWF. The area is sparsely populated, comprising seven indigenous territories and eight protected areas. The name means 'bright water' in the Guaraní language, and is home to more than 400 species of plants and animals.