Mapping the world's wetlands

Research ThemeVariability, Risks and Competing Uses

Wetlands are enormously important to human livelihoods, biodiversity and ecological stability.

However, they are very dynamic and constantly changing. Their size, shape, and volume of water are seasonally dependent and may vary greatly from year to year. They are also not always visible from above, as they can be covered in vegetation, or even land, depending on when they are being observed.

This has traditionally made wetlands difficult to map, measure, and manage.

Scientists at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), WLE's lead center, have contributed to a comprehensive map of the world's wetlands, through a project led by McGill University.

The map was generated using satellite images taken over a twelve-year period. It distinguishes between permanent and temporary wetlands and measures how inundation patters.