Wetlands for disaster risk reduction

Upload your content
Image

Introduction

Wetlands shield human communities from extreme weather events. They function as a buffer against the effects of storms, tsunamis, droughts, and floods. Communities can also recover from disasters with the aid of well-managed wetlands.

Explore these resources on how the conservation and restoration of wetlands can contribute to disaster risk reduction. 

Related links
Natural flood management for disaster risk reduction
Nature-based solutions for disaster risk reduction
Themes
Environment and ecosystems

Knowledge base

Research briefs

Wetlands offer greater cumulative benefit for flood control

Adding multiple smaller wetlands to the landscape can make large reservoirs more effective at flood control, according to a new study from Tulane University published in Environmental Research Letters.
Tulane University
Update

Event report: Wetland solutions to protect against droughts and floods

The report of the event focuses on the pressing need to upscale wetland solutions for disaster risk reduction. The session featured prominent speakers who offered valuable insights into the potential of wetlands as nature-based solutions (NbS).
Wetlands International
Healthy soils
Update

What is peat subsidence and how can countries prevent this environmental disaster?

“Peat subsidence” is the downward movement of the Earth's surface due to the removal of subsurface earth materials. Peat subsidence triggers environmental problems and increases carbon dioxide emissions. Finding ways to save peatlands is crucial.
World Resources Institute
Update

Declining English wetland 'is poor advert for UK'

A declining English wetland will embarrass the UK government at November’s UN climate conference, campaigners say.
Climate News Network
Update

Recreating the perfect tide to protect coastal wetlands from rising sea levels

Eco-engineering development from UNSW Sydney could revive saltmarsh and mangrove wetland areas valued at around $US230b globally.
University of New South Wales
Update

Three ways wetlands can influence climate change

Climate change could change wetlands forever, but in turn, wetlands can also help to mitigate the impact of climate change.
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Update

World Wetlands Day 2021: The unknown potential of wetlands in nature-based solutions

Happy World Wetlands Day! Wetlands are "natural harvesters" of water and, by definition, sites where water abounds at or near the surface of the Earth.
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
AustralianCamera/Shutterstock
Update

Wetlands have saved Australia $27 billion in storm damage over the past five decades

Recent research shows 54 cyclones struck Australia between 1967 and 2016. The damages would have totalled approximately A$30 billion, if not for coastal wetlands.
Conversation Media Group, the
Update

Kashmir bid to stop urban flooding claims wetland casualty

Wildlife wardens demand urgent measures to restore the Hokera wetland, as the excavation of a channel to prevent floods in Srinagar sucks the protected ecosystem dry.
Thomson Reuters Foundation, trust.org
Marisa Estivill/Shutterstock
Update

Flooding can help resurrect wetlands and slow climate change – here’s how

Flooding is known for the ruin it brings to homes and livelihoods, but targeted flooding, to restore floodplain wetlands, is part of the solution to climate change.
Conversation Media Group, the

Is this page useful?

Yes No
Report an issue on this page

Thank you. If you have 2 minutes, we would benefit from additional feedback (link opens in a new window).