Sofia, Feb 2 (BTA/GNA) – In an interview for BTA dedicated to the World Wetlands Day, February 2, ichthyologist Stoyan Mihov, chief expert at WWF Bulgaria, and Petar Yankov, conservation officer at the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, spoke about the importance of wetlands in Bulgaria.
Wetlands are fragile ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity, easy to destroy and difficult to restore. Their conservation may be key to tackling drought and water scarcity.
Wetlands are like a sponge that absorbs water during periods of intense rainfall and then slowly release water that can benefit both people and animals, Mihov said. They act like a buffer during floods, the expert added.
In recent years, the importance of wetlands for the economy and for human settlements has also been highlighted, Mihov said. In light of climate change, wetlands provide ecosystem services that other habitats cannot offer.
Yankov said that there is a good rationale for declaring a World Wetlands Day and that is the ongoing degradation and loss of water on our planet. The goal is to make more people aware of the problem, to learn about ways to prevent or slow it, to take action.
Wetlands are home to many plant and animal species, however, they are threatened globally by climate change and human activities, especially construction.
The situation in Bulgaria
Bulgaria was among the first countries to join the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It has 11 wetlands with a total area of 49,912.43 ha, the Ministry of Environment and Water reported.
Wetlands are areas that are temporarily or permanently flooded with water, such as lakes, marshes, bogs, peatlands, but also riverbanks and floodplains, Mihov said.
The two experts commented that efforts in Bulgaria are made to maintain, even restore wetlands, however, some damage seems to be irreversible. Some 90% to 95% of all wetland areas that used to exist in the country have been lost. The remaining 5% to 10% are not in good condition. The main reason for the disappearance of wetlands is drainage, mostly for agricultural or construction purposes.
GNA/BTA