BharatNotes What is Wetland Ecosystem Services?
Wetland ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from wetlands — marshes, lakes, peatlands, mangroves, floodplains and similar water-dominated systems. Under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, a wetland is an area of marsh, fen, peatland or water (static or flowing, fresh, brackish or saline), including marine areas where depth at low tide does not exceed six metres. These ecosystems deliver services that are usually unpriced yet economically immense, which is why wetlands are called the "kidneys of the landscape".
The four service categories
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (a UN-backed study, 2005) groups ecosystem services into four classes, all of which wetlands provide.
| Category | Wetland examples |
|---|---|
| Provisioning | Fresh water, fish, fodder, fuel, medicinal plants |
| Regulating | Flood moderation, water purification, groundwater recharge, climate regulation |
| Cultural | Recreation, tourism, aesthetic and spiritual value |
| Supporting | Nutrient cycling, soil formation, habitat for biodiversity |
Wetlands store large volumes of carbon in waterlogged soils, so their drainage releases greenhouse gases — making them critical for climate mitigation as well as adaptation.
Why wetlands matter
Globally, wetlands cover only about 6% of the land surface but host roughly 40% of plant and animal species (UN/Ramsar). They buffer floods, recharge aquifers, trap sediment and pollutants, and sustain migratory birds along flyways. Yet about 35% of the world's wetlands were lost between 1970 and the mid-2010s (Ramsar Global Wetland Outlook), driven by drainage, encroachment, pollution and climate change.
Governance and current status
The Ramsar Convention (adopted 2 February 1971; in force 21 December 1975) is the principal international treaty, with 172 Contracting Parties (as of early 2026). The Montreux Record lists Ramsar sites facing ecological change; India currently has two sites on it — Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
India has the largest Ramsar network in Asia. The official Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change list recorded 98 Ramsar sites as on 30 January 2026, with sites continuing to be added through 2026 (verify the live MoEFCC figure before quoting). Tamil Nadu leads among states. Domestically, wetlands are protected by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, which mandate a State Wetlands Authority in each State/UT and prohibit conversion, encroachment, industrial setup and dumping of untreated waste.
UPSC angle
Treat wetland ecosystem services as a hub topic. For Prelims, master the Ramsar Convention basics, the Montreux Record (India's two sites), the four service categories and the 2017 Rules. For Mains GS3, frame wetlands as natural infrastructure — link them to flood management, climate resilience, the economic valuation of natural capital, and schemes such as the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems and Amrit Dharohar (Union Budget 2023-24).
