Wetlands: jewels of biodiversity between water, land and sky

Wetlands are among the richest and most fragile ecosystems on our planet. In an era marked by the climate crisis and the accelerating loss of biodiversity, their protection takes on strategic importance. They are environments where water, land, and sky meet, creating complex and dynamic habitats that host an extraordinary variety of life. Today, talking about wetlands means rediscovering a natural heritage that is often overlooked but essential for the health of the planet.

In our work, we deal every day with promoting more mindful gardening that protects natural resources and promotes biodiversity even in private green spaces. Knowing and understanding the most fragile natural ecosystems, such as wetlands, helps us design gardens that are not only beautiful and functional but also inspired by the most virtuous ecological models. Wetlands are environments teeming with life, essential for the health of the planet, and represent a concrete example of how diversity, balance, and adaptability are at the heart of natural resilience. Protecting them also means learning to take care of our everyday greenery in a more responsible way.

• Wetlands and biodiversity
• The ecosystem services of wetlands
• The natural oases and wetlands of Orbetello
• Protecting to coexist

Wetlands and biodiversity

Wetlands are areas where the soil is saturated or flooded with water permanently or temporarily. They can be natural or artificial, freshwater, brackish, or saltwater. They include marshes, peatlands, ponds, lagoons, river deltas, and even rice paddies or artificial basins. What unites them is the constant or periodic presence of water, which determines unique characteristics in the soil and vegetation: wetlands, in fact, act as "natural sponges," regulating the water cycle and providing refuge to numerous species.

They are true hubs of biodiversity: they offer ideal habitats for thousands of species, including migratory birds, amphibians, reptiles, pollinating insects, fish, and aquatic plants. They often represent irreplaceable stopover and breeding areas for many threatened species. The plants present are adapted to water-saturated soil conditions, while animals have developed unique survival strategies to live in these environments. For this reason, the loss or degradation of these areas puts entire food chains at risk.

The ecosystem services of wetlands

In addition to their intrinsic value for biodiversity, wetlands offer essential ecosystem services.

• Hydrological regulation: they absorb excess water during rainfall and gradually release the accumulated water, reducing the risk of floods and droughts.
• Natural purification: they filter out pollutants and excess nutrients, improving water quality.
• Carbon storage: peatlands, for example, store enormous amounts of CO2.
• Cultural and recreational value: many wetlands are places of landscape beauty, nature observation, and tradition.

The natural oases and wetlands of Orbetello

In Italy and around the world, there are numerous oases and nature reserves created to protect wetlands and their biodiversity. In these places, monitoring, research, environmental education, and sustainable tourism activities are carried out. Natural oases also represent living laboratories where the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems can be studied.

Among Italy's most important wetlands, the Orbetello lagoon, located in the same area where BotanicalDryGarden is based, represents an extraordinary example of biodiversity and balance between nature and human intervention. Located in the province of Grosseto, in Tuscany, this vast area is formed by a coastal lagoon that extends between the Argentario promontory and the mainland, protected by two sandy tombolos that define its marine boundaries.

At the heart of this ecosystem is the WWF Orbetello Oasis, one of the oldest nature reserves managed by the association in Italy, founded in 1971. It is a true paradise for nature lovers, a vital stopover point for thousands of migratory birds along the Afro-Eurasian route. In winter, the lagoon comes alive with pink flamingos, herons, spoonbills, cormorants, and marsh harriers, while in spring and summer, little bitterns, avocets, and numerous other rare species can be observed. But it is not just about birds: the lagoon is also a habitat for fish, amphibians, insects, reptiles, and an extraordinary variety of aquatic and brackish plants.

In addition to its ecological value, the Orbetello Oasis is also an important center for environmental education and public awareness. The equipped trails, observation towers, and guided activities allow people to connect with nature and understand how important it is to protect these fragile environments, even in our daily lives.

Orbetello is an example of how a protected area can coexist with agriculture, tourism, and local activities, demonstrating that sustainability is possible when knowledge, respect, and care for the territory are placed at the center.

Protecting to coexist

Wetlands are a precious and irreplaceable natural heritage. Their protection is not only an environmental issue, but also a social, cultural, and economic one. As citizens and sustainable gardeners, we can contribute to their protection by choosing water-conscious management practices, supporting conservation projects, and actively participating in awareness-raising. Protecting wetlands means ensuring a more balanced future for everyone.