1 Presentation by Maneka Mirchandaney, Std XII, Mallya Aditi
International School, Bangalore Design assistance by Thara
Thomas
Slide 2
What is a wetland? Wetlands are interface between Terrestrial
and aquatic ecosystems. It is an area of land whose soil is
Saturated with moisture either permanently or for a long enough
season every year to support aquatic plants. Wetlands are
ecosystems whose formation, processes and characteristics are
determined by water. They have been called the 'nature's kidneys'
because they cleanse our environment. Wetlands are not necessarily
"wet" all year round
Slide 3
Facts About Wetlands 3 Wetlands are typically low-lying areas
They can be coastal or inland Floodplains, swamps, marshes,
mangroves deltas and lakes are some types of wetlands. A paddy farm
is also a wetland They can be natural or man-made Wetlands can
contain fresh water, salt water, or brackish (a combination of the
two)
Slide 4
4 Some important wetlands in India Ashtamudi (Wetland)
Bhitarkanika (Mangroves) Bhoj (Wetland) Chandertal (Wetland)
Chilika (Lake) Deepor Beel East Calcutta (Wetlands) Harike (Lake)
Hokera (Wetland) Kanjli Keoladeo (National Park) Kolleru (Lake)
Loktak (Lake) Point Calimere (Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary) Pong Dam
(Lake) Renuka (Lake) Ropar Rudrasagar (Lake) Sambhar (Lake)
Sasthamkotta (Lake) Surinsar Mansar (Lakes) Tsomoriri Vembanad-Kol
(Wetland) Wular (Lake) Upper Ganga River (Narora to Brijghat
stretch)
Slide 5
5 Importance of wetlands Many species of birds and mammals rely
on wetlands for food, water, and shelter, especially during
migration and breeding. They provide rich habitat for an immense
variety of species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians,
reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals. Wetlands are among the most
productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and
coral reefs.
Slide 6
6 Uses of wetlands Think of a wetland as a huge sponge Wetlands
store water when it is in excess and release it to the ground
during dry periods This helps in recharge and discharge of
groundwater They assist in flood control They reduce the momentum
of water as it flows to a river or a stream, thereby reducing soil
erosion They are also important to the nutrient cycle. water
management
Slide 7
7 Uses of wetlands Wetlands plants and soil store carbon
instead of releasing it to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Thus
they help moderate global climate Mangroves can protect shorelines
from strong winds and can reduce the impact of hurricanes and
tsunamis Plants that grow in wetlands are very effective in
filtering out water pollution Many wetlands remove pollutants from
surface runoff and small streams. Wetlands help retain sediments
and increase soil fertility environmental
Slide 8
8 Uses of wetlands Wetlands provide livelihoods by being a
source of (Consumptive use ) They can also be recreation spaces
(non-consumptive uses ) Agricultural produce Craft materials timber
production Medicinal plants Fishing Hunting Wetlands provide
opportunities for humans to enjoy outdoor activities, such as
canoeing, fishing, and bird watching. economic
Slide 9
Contaminants and sediments are filtered. Provides critical
wildlife habitat Cleaner water outflow How wetlands work
Slide 10
Threats to wetlands Natural Drought Over grazing by wildlife
Natural disasters like hurricanes and floods
Slide 11
Threats to wetlands Anthropogenic 1.Development Draining out
wetlands for construction Damming them to form lakes or ponds
Diverting water flow 2.Pollution 4. Global warming 3. Sand and
gravel mining 5. Acid rain
Slide 12
12 The Convention on Wetlands -- called the "Ramsar Convention"
was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. An intergovernmental treaty -
embodies the commitments of its member countries to plan for the
"wise use", or sustainable use, of all of the wetlands in their
territories. Ramsar convention
Slide 13
DO A PROJECT SHOW IT TO YOUR CLASS TALK TO THE OWNER OF A
WETLAND ORGANIZE A FIELD TRIP Take an initiative, talk to the
owners of a wetland on preserving them. Organize a class field trip
to a wetland (preferably a destroyed one) and explain about the
history of the wetland and why it was destroyed. MAKE SURE YOUR
HOUSE ISNT BUILT ON WETLAND What can we do?
Slide 14
Quiz master Hi! Im the quiz master! Click on the button with
the right answer. Good luck!
Slide 15
Which of these is NOT a use of wetlands? Q. 1 To clean the
environment Sedimentation of rocks Swimming and other sports
Slide 16
Quiz master Wrong!!!!!!!!! Sorry! The right answer is Swimming
and other water sports.
Slide 17
Quiz master Correct!!!!!!!!! Woohoo! That is right!
Congratulations!
Slide 18
Which fact about a wetland is right? Q. 2 A wetland always has
a pH level above 9.5 There is always shellfish in a wetland A
wetland is a low area where the land is filled with water
Slide 19
Quiz master Wrong!!!!!!!!! Sorry! The right answer is wetland
is a low area where the land is filled with water. A wetland is a
low area where the land is filled with water.
Slide 20
Quiz master Correct!!!!!!!!! Woohoo! That is right!
Congratulations!
Slide 21
What is NOT a way to help increase awareness about wetlands? Q.
3 Play games on the computer Do a project on wetlands Organize a
field trip to a wetland
Slide 22
Quiz master Wrong!!!!!!!!! Sorry! That is wrong! The right
answer is. Play games on the computer.
Slide 23
Quiz master Correct!!!!!!!!! Woohoo! That is right!
Congratulations!
Slide 24
What is a good pH level for a wetland? Q. 4 4.0 7.59.5
Slide 25
Quiz master Wrong!!!!!!!!! Sorry! That is wrong! The right
answer is 7.5 7.5
Slide 26
Quiz master Correct!!!!!!!!! Woohoo! That is right!
Congratulations! 7.5
Slide 27
Which one of these is NOT a type of wetland? Q. 5
MarshReservoirSwimming pool
Slide 28
Quiz master Wrong!!!!!!!!! Sorry! That is wrong! The right
answer is Swimming pool
Slide 29
Quiz master Correct!!!!!!!!! Woohoo! That is right!
Congratulations!
Slide 30
Activities Divide your class into groups of not more than 5
people each. Use the facts on the next page (note : some of them
are false) and give each group a few facts, equal amounts of true
and false.next page Each group in turn says one fact. After they
say it, someone from another group has to say whether the fact is
true or false. If he/she is right, the team gets a point. If he/she
is wrong, they lose a point. The team with the most points wins.
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Here is an activity you can do in class
Slide 31
Facts The water hyacinth is a plant The water should have a pH
level between 6.5 and 8.5 Mangroves are groves of mango trees. If
the water is acidic then it is hard for animals to live A wetland
is always natural Wetlands always have salty water Wetlands provide
a good habitat for animals Reeds can be found in wetlands Building
a house on a wetland is good. These are just a few facts that you
can use, why not try making some more? 4.0 is a good pH level for a
wetland True False
Slide 32
32 BASIRIROMOSTKVU LKWDEEPORBEELSP OIALIKAPONGDAMO
SNOEDALOEKESMZI UAMESNORWUTABAN RKMCTOKSXHRPRUT ERXBAMTUAKILIHC
LAASHTAMUDIULRA LTYJDAKTZOYRJPL OIOIFORRERASNHI KHATTUCLACTSAEM
BBOTGLQLSPEQKSE WEAEHJUVDMOWCOR STCAIWPYAHARIKE LOKDANABMEVIAMY
Ashtamudi, Bhitarkanika, Bhoj, Chilika, Deepor Beel, East Calcutta,
Harike, Kanjli, Keoladeo, Kolleru, Loktak, Point Calimere, Pong
Dam, Ropar, Sambhar, Sasthamkotta, Tsomoriri, Vembanad-Kol, Wular
Can you name the states where these wetlands are found? Find the
following: A word search on Ramsar sites in India
Slide 33
33 A word search on Ramsar sites in India answers
Slide 34
Thank you! Watching this slideshow will not only help you, but
can help other people, animals and plants. It can help the
environment, but you need to start and set the trend. Let other
people know about the destruction of wetlands. MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Now that you know about wetlands, take a step forward and do
something! (See slide 13 for ideas)slide 13