Wetlands are where nature, life, and culture converge

Before rivers find their way to the sea and before landscapes are shaped by roads and towns, wetlands quietly do the work of sustaining life. They are places where water, land and living memory meet.

As we mark World Wetlands Day on 2 February under the 2026 theme, “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: celebrating cultural heritage”, we are reminded that protecting these ecosystems is as much about safeguarding culture and wisdom as it is about conserving water and biodiversity.

Wetlands are defined as “areas that are in transition between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is at or near the surface, or the land is periodically covered with shallow water” and “would support vegetation adapted to life in saturated soils”.

In simpler terms, these areas often have enough water to affect the soil, plants and animals that live there. There are several types of wetlands, and this is affected by their location in the landscape, the type of vegetation, the bioregion, as well as the water source.

Types of wetlands include springs, swamps, pans, lakes and floodplains. Despite the name, wetlands do not necessarily have to have water visible on the surface. Wetlands support some of the most highly productive ecosystems and play an important role in the supply of fresh water, reducing the impact of floods, reducing erosion and recharging groundwater. They also act as sanctuaries to fish nurseries and other species, as well as providing tourism, recreational and spiritual activities.

Despite all these benefits, they are also some of the most under-protected ecosystems, especially the lower lying floodplains, valley-bottom wetlands and lower lying depressions, due to land use practices and their associated effects. In the Western Cape, 73 wetland types are threatened, with over 40% of those currently not under any formal protection.

De Hoop Vlei, which falls in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, is an example of a large natural wetland with surface water. It is also the oldest RAMSAR site in South Africa and an important area for an average of 8,000 birds from 97 species, such as the Great Crested Grebe and the Threatened Greater Flamingo. It is also a freshwater lake and therefore counts as an inland wetland system and not as an estuary.

It is extremely important that we look after our wetlands as they form part of the ecological infrastructure, which means that they provide humankind with goods and services.

On Wetlands Day, reflect on how wetlands support our environment and culture. Recognising traditional knowledge in conservation is vital, as it has played a key role throughout history. By valuing nature and cultural heritage, we strengthen efforts to protect wetlands.