Wetlands have shaped human life in Europe since ancient times.
Wetlands have shaped human life in Europe since ancient times. These ecosystems provided essential resources and safe havens for plants and animals, and in many regions they also held spiritual and ritual significance. For millennia, wetlands covered vast parts of the European continent.
Today, the picture is very different. Half of Europe’s wetlands have disappeared due to drainage, cultivation, and resource extraction. Yet wetlands are not only part of our cultural and natural heritage — they are also among the most efficient carbon sinks in nature. But when disturbed, they may shift from storing carbon to emitting large quantities of greenhouse gases.
For this reason, the EU’s Nature Restoration Law requires all Member States to restore at least 30% of their wetlands not in “good condition” by 2030.
Read more at: University of Copenhagen
Photo Credit: via Pixabay
