Wetlands

Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor for controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. They occur where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, or where the land is covered by water. Wetlands are crucial for mitigation and climate change adaptation, serving as centers for biodiversity and hydrological resilience. They help improve air quality, water quality and regulate the water flow of excess flood waters. Yet wetlands are also some of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Over time, they have been affected by human activity, being drained, filled or polluted.  

IWMI is working to preserve and operationalize wetlands globally. Increasing knowledge and policy around wetlands helps protect their infrastructure — which in turn helps protect the earth. For example, in Sri Lanka, IWMI researchers have focused on the preservation of Colombo’s urban wetlands and their unique biodiversity. They are also contributing to the creation of governance frameworks and community management to protect these ecosystems. 

Latest publications on this topic

Report

Ecosystem service valuation in Kalu Oya and Mudun Ela basins, Sri Lanka

International Water Management Institute | February 13th, 2026

Wickramaratne, Chaturangi; Taron, Avinandan; Mulligan, M.; Burke, S.; McCartney, Matthew P.

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Preprint

Modeling turbidity of aquaculture pond in the East Kolkata Wetlands using Sentinel-2 bands and ground data through multivariate regression on Google Earth Engine

January 23rd, 2026

Mullick, A.; Ghosh, Surajit; Chowdhury, A.; Bhattacharyya, S.

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Preprint

Land use and land cover classification of wetlands: addressing paucity with the case of the East Kolkata Wetlands

January 23rd, 2026

Ghosh, Surajit; Guha, A.

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