004 - Wetlands
Geographic Knowledge and Understanding
The growing pressures on major wetlands and the efforts to protect them, such as the Ramsar Convention.
Concepts
Human processes impact upon the natural processes of wetlands. The possibility of successful management depends upon the relative power of the stakeholders involved.
Aims
To be able to describe wetlands and explain why they are important.
To be able to describe and explain the efforts to protect wetlands - such as the Ramsar Convention.
To develop a case study of Kissimee/Everglades which illustrates the growing pressures that are placed in wetlands and how it is being protected.
Key Terminology
Invasive species
Define the key term above using the useful link below.
Useful Link
Activity One - Description
While we have discussed what a wetland is and why there were perhaps not considered important in our recent past we haven't looked at them as an area of wonder. Watch the two youtube clips and write down why wetlands deserve to be preserved.
Activity Two - Preservation
The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that helps to conserve wetlands by providing a framework for countries. The treaty began in 1971 and was in force by 1975. Almost 90% of all UN member states have signed up now to preserve their wetlands. Read the two articles below and write a summary of what the Ramsar Convention is, what it hopes to achieve and how it is successful.
Activity Three - Case Study
For this syllabus point you need to focus on one key area. Therefore we are going to be investing the Everglades and how the wetlands in this area have been at risk. You will need to include the following points in your case study:
Location
Competition for the resources
What problems have been caused
How the wetland is now being preserved. Link this to Ramsar.
Exam Style Question
Examine how human interference upon natural processes in one part of a drainage basin may impact wetlands in another part of the same drainage basin. [10 marks]
This lesson was development in collaboration with Richard Allaway from geographyalltheway. For more resources please visit www.geographyalltheway.com