Major Wetlands
Jewels in the crown
Wetlands are some of the most spectacular, most beautiful, tranquil places on Earth. The examples below all demonstrate the diversity and wonder of wetlands.
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Pantanal
The Pantanal is arguably the largest wetland in the world, covering a total area of 150,000km2. It is a complex system of marshlands, floodplains, lagoons and interconnected drainage lines. It constitutes a huge internal river delta, in which several rivers flowing from the surrounding plateau merge.
With elevations of no more than 150m, the region is practically flat. During the rainy season, between October and April, up to 80% of the territory is underwater. Annual rainfall is around 1,250mm.
Over 658 species of birds alone have been identified, as well as over 190 mammals, 50 reptiles, 1,132 species of butterflies, and 270 fish species - with many more likely to be identified in this poorly researched region. Species found here include the endangered hyacinth macaw, jaguar, caiman, maned wolf, giant armadillo, capybara and Brazilian tapir.
Danube River Delta
One of the largest and best preserved wetlands in Europe, the Danube delta boasts the largest reed bed in the world and attracts the largest colony of pelicans outside Africa.
A unique habitat of canals, reed beds, lakes and ponds, the delta continues to grow as it extends further into the Black Sea. The Danube delta hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes.
Sundarbans
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is a vast complex of intertidal and estuarine areas situated on the border of India and Bangladesh where the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mehgna rivers converge in the Bengal Basin.
Sundarbans means 'beautiful forests', but the region may also have been named after the large number of Sundari trees that grow in the salty coastal waters.
The area provides nursery grounds for many species of fish and invertebrates, including exploited species such as tiger prawns.
The Pantanal is arguably the largest wetland in the world, covering a total area of 150,000km2. It is a complex system of marshlands, floodplains, lagoons and interconnected drainage lines. It constitutes a huge internal river delta, in which several rivers flowing from the surrounding plateau merge.
With elevations of no more than 150m, the region is practically flat. During the rainy season, between October and April, up to 80% of the territory is underwater. Annual rainfall is around 1,250mm.
Over 658 species of birds alone have been identified, as well as over 190 mammals, 50 reptiles, 1,132 species of butterflies, and 270 fish species - with many more likely to be identified in this poorly researched region. Species found here include the endangered hyacinth macaw, jaguar, caiman, maned wolf, giant armadillo, capybara and Brazilian tapir.
Danube River Delta
One of the largest and best preserved wetlands in Europe, the Danube delta boasts the largest reed bed in the world and attracts the largest colony of pelicans outside Africa.
A unique habitat of canals, reed beds, lakes and ponds, the delta continues to grow as it extends further into the Black Sea. The Danube delta hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes.
Sundarbans
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is a vast complex of intertidal and estuarine areas situated on the border of India and Bangladesh where the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mehgna rivers converge in the Bengal Basin.
Sundarbans means 'beautiful forests', but the region may also have been named after the large number of Sundari trees that grow in the salty coastal waters.
The area provides nursery grounds for many species of fish and invertebrates, including exploited species such as tiger prawns.
Kafue floodplains
The Kafue Flats are located in central Zambia along the Kafue River. This unique wetland landscape of grasslands, lagoons, marshes, swamps and reed beds covers some 6,500km2. It is one of the major wetlands in water-rich Zambia and is extremely important for wildlife, fishing, cattle-grazing, sugar-cane farming and the production of hydro-electric power.
Here you can see herds of zebra, eland, gazelle and buffalo roaming the floodplain. Many of the animals living in the flats are specially adapted to life here. For example, the endemic Kafue Lechwe or Marsh Antelope (Kobus lechwe kafuensis) and the larger Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) semi-aquatic antelope species. These antelopes are amazingly adapted to swimming and walking on marshy land.
The Kafue Flats are located in central Zambia along the Kafue River. This unique wetland landscape of grasslands, lagoons, marshes, swamps and reed beds covers some 6,500km2. It is one of the major wetlands in water-rich Zambia and is extremely important for wildlife, fishing, cattle-grazing, sugar-cane farming and the production of hydro-electric power.
Here you can see herds of zebra, eland, gazelle and buffalo roaming the floodplain. Many of the animals living in the flats are specially adapted to life here. For example, the endemic Kafue Lechwe or Marsh Antelope (Kobus lechwe kafuensis) and the larger Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) semi-aquatic antelope species. These antelopes are amazingly adapted to swimming and walking on marshy land.
Okavango
The Okavango Delta and associated flooded grasslands and savanna habitats that constitute the Zambezian Flooded Savannas ecoregion are among the most important biological sites in Africa.
The Okavango Delta is Africa's largest and most beautiful oasis. The river's mighty waters empty over the sands of the Kalahari. The mighty Kalahari desert's thirst is locally quenched in a blue-green wilderness of fresh water, with emerald reed beds and towering trees.
It is a natural refuge and giant water hole for the larger animals of the Kalahari. The water gives rise to many forms of life unexpected in a 'desert': There are fish, crocodiles basking on the sands, and hippos and swamp antelopes feeding on the vegetation.
WWF works in many areas of the world to preserve the Earth’s wetlands. Projects focus on protection of these unique habitats, restoration of healthy river systems and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Find out more about WWF projects to support wetlands.
The Okavango Delta and associated flooded grasslands and savanna habitats that constitute the Zambezian Flooded Savannas ecoregion are among the most important biological sites in Africa.
The Okavango Delta is Africa's largest and most beautiful oasis. The river's mighty waters empty over the sands of the Kalahari. The mighty Kalahari desert's thirst is locally quenched in a blue-green wilderness of fresh water, with emerald reed beds and towering trees.
It is a natural refuge and giant water hole for the larger animals of the Kalahari. The water gives rise to many forms of life unexpected in a 'desert': There are fish, crocodiles basking on the sands, and hippos and swamp antelopes feeding on the vegetation.
WWF works in many areas of the world to preserve the Earth’s wetlands. Projects focus on protection of these unique habitats, restoration of healthy river systems and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Find out more about WWF projects to support wetlands.