NAIROBI, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The depletion of wetlands linked to human activities, climate change, invasive species and population pressure could undermine local communities' resilience to climatic shocks, senior UN officials said Friday.

David Cooper, acting executive secretary of the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, said wetlands are critical freshwater bodies, playing host to rare species and providing a range of ecosystem services, including water purification, flood control and weather regulation.

"Despite providing multiple ecosystem services and functions, wetlands are threatened by the climate crisis, growing pollution, and poor land use practices," Cooper said on the sidelines of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly underway in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

According to Cooper, wetlands provide safe habitation for migratory species like birds and are a source of livelihood for indigenous communities, women and youth. He added that synergizing several UN treaties covering biodiversity, migratory species, pollution and desertification has been prioritized to help improve the ecological health of wetlands.

Musonda Mumba, secretary-general of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, said the resilience of local communities on the frontline of the climate crisis will be hinged on deliberate efforts to protect wetlands.

Mumba called for policy coherence, better community engagement and enactment of laws to restore the health of wetlands that are key to sustaining food, energy and water security. In addition, Mumba said that investments in nature-positive agricultural activities will be key to curbing the siltation of wetlands, which is to blame for the loss of species, including mammals, fish and pollinators.

Jerker Tamelander, director of Science and Policy at the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, said strengthening the protection of wetlands is key to disaster risk management, stabilizing the hydrological cycle, and local weather patterns.

Over 40 percent of global species are directly linked to wetlands as part of their lifecycle, Tamelander noted, adding that these freshwater bodies hold immense cultural and aesthetic value to local communities.

To reverse wetlands degradation, governments must phase out subsidies that are detrimental to ecosystems and soil health, besides supporting community-based conservation efforts, Tamelander said. Enditem

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