It is believed that humans first started to inhabit the southern region of Florida up to 20,000 years ago. The region that is currently the Everglades National Park was mainly inhabited by the Indigenous Calusa peoples. Several archaeological excavations have found many architectural shellworks, earthenwares, and various other materials which provided ample evidence about the highly organized society that was maintained by the Calusa.
Human activities have led to the introduction of many invasive species in the Everglades National Park. Some of the non-native floral species that are found here include the Australian melaleuca tree, Old World climbing fern, Chinese privet, and Brazilian peppertree. The invasive faunal species include the Asiatic clam, lobate lac scale insect, bromeliad beetle, Mayan cichlid, walking catfish, Cuban tree frog, Monk parakeet, Burmese python, Nile monitor, and wild boar. To prevent new invasions and to keep the invasive species in check, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan was introduced by the US Government in 2000. In addition to these introduced plant and animal species, the Everglades National Park is also threatened by urban development, water diversion, pollution, and agricultural expansion.
Lake Okeechobee hosts different types of flora like bulrush, eelgrass, hydrilla, and peppergrass. Some common species of fish that are found in the Lake include bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, Okeechobee catfish, and speckled perch.
The Ramsar sites in DRC play a vital role in the conservation of rare and endangered flora and fauna of the region. These are some of the last remaining sites in the country where human intervention and exploitation of natural resources are not allowed. However, years of civil war and political unrest in the country has adversely affected these natural habitats in the country and flora, and fauna in the region have been subjected to illegal human activities. International attention is thus necessary to protect these vulnerable habitats in DRC.
Another important Ramsar Wetland of International Importance is the Virunga National Park in DRC. Formerly known as the Albert National Park, Virunga is a 7,800 square km that stretches from the Rwenzori Mountains in the north to the Virunga Mountains in the south. Established in 1925, the Virunga was the first national park in the entire continent. In 1979, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Virunga National Parks hosts exceptional biodiversity including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Okapis, giraffes, gorillas, forest elephants, chimpanzees, and a wide variety of endemic birds constitute the fauna of this national park.
Also known as the Muanda Marine Reserve or the Marc Marine, the Mangroves National Park is a Ramsar wetland and protected area in the DRC. It is well-known for its mangrove forests which provide a safe haven to the endangered manatee population that resides at the mouth of the River Congo. Though mangroves are also found in South Asia, the ones in DRC are a distinct type. The Mangroves National Park was established in 1992 to protect this unique habitat, its flora, and fauna. Besides the manatees, crocodiles, snakes, hippos, bushbuck, reedbuck, and other animal species also inhabit the park.
Tumba-Ngiri-Maindombe, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance is the largest one of its kind in the world. The wetland encompasses an area of 65,696 square km surrounding the Lake Tumba on the western side of the Congo Basin. The size of the wetland is about twice the size of Maryland and Belgium. The landscape of the area includes vast stretches of forests, marshland, and seasonal lakes of great ecological and economic value. However, the Tumba-Ngiri-Maindombe wetland is today under significant threat due to corrupt governance in the area and pressures from the rapidly growing population and illegal activities.
The Sahara Desert spans approximately 9.2 million square kilometers and is in fact the largest hot desert in the world. Located in North Africa, it covers parts of eleven countries, including Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan, Algeria, and Tunisia. This expanse of arid land is characterized by its often harsh climate, with massive temperature swings that can soar above 50 degrees Celsius during the day and plummet below freezing at night.
The Sahara is built up of a diverse amount of geographic landscapes, comprising mainly of sand dunes, gravel plains, rocky plateaus, and even some mountain ranges, such as the Ahaggar (with peaks rising above 9,500 feet) and Tibesti ranges (containing Mount Emi Koussi, a peak that rises a lofty 11,204 feet). Its iconic sand dunes, particularly in Algeria and Libya, can reach heights of up to 180 meters!
Human settlement in the Sahara Desert is limited but historically significant. Nomadic tribes, such as the Tuareg and Berbers, have traveled this desert for centuries, passing through it mainly for trade while other groups of people wouldn't dare try (understandably). There are some oases, providing vital water sources, that serve as hubs for small to medium-sized towns and cities, like Ghardaia in Algeria and Timbuktu in Mali, the latter being a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The short answer is yes. But, how do we know this? A number of studies, including one that spanned 93 years by researchers at the University of Maryland, have concluded that the sands of the Sahara have been expanding for some time, primarily southward into the Sahel region. Having grown an estimated 10% since 1920, this is an undeniable fact that continues to be demonstrated year after year, with expansion often at its fastest during the summer months when the already dry desert becomes even more absent of water.
The growth of the Sahara Desert is mainly driven by natural climate variability and human-induced climate change. Naturally, a process called the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), a periodic climate cycle in the North Atlantic Ocean, significantly influences this expansion by affecting regional rainfall patterns. In the case of the Sahara, during warm phases of the AMO, this region experiences drier conditions, causing the desert landscape to spread.
The Sahara Desert's expansion is causing significant environmental and socio-economic issues. As mentioned, the southward creep of the desert into the Sahel is exacerbating drought conditions, making it difficult for local populations to maintain their agricultural and pastoral livelihoods. The loss of this farmland leads to food insecurity, pushing communities into poverty and increasing competition for resources. This can, and sometimes has, resulted in conflict and displacement as people migrate in search of more habitable areas.
As mentioned before, the Sahara's growth results from the complex interplay between natural cycles and climate change. Tackling this issue requires understanding these drivers and implementing strategies to mitigate their impacts on vulnerable regions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting sustainable land management practices are some of the steps we can also take part in to help address the root causes of desertification.
Bera Lake, located in southwest Pahang, Malaysia is a natural freshwater system of lakes. The 35 km long and 20 km wide lake drains into the Pahang River. The Bera Lake is one of the unique and remote wetland wildernesses in the country. It is peninsular Malaysia’s largest freshwater swamp. The ecosystem, consisting of islands of peat swamp forests and a patchwork of dry lowland dipterocarp forests, is rich in flora and fauna. The ecosystem is protected by the Ramsar Convention and has a core zone of 260 square km, and a buffer zone of 275 square km.
Tanjung Piai is a cape in Malaysia’s Pontian District, representing Peninsular Malaysia’s southernmost point. The coastline of the cape features rows of unspoiled mangrove forests that are highly significant in conversation. 22 species of mangrove trees grow in this ecosystem. The mangroves also act as an important bird habitat and both resident and migratory birds can be observed here. The Tanjung Piai’s coastal mangroves are part of an Important Bird Area and also a Ramsar wetland of international significance. Several hotels and resorts have been built around the region. However, the government mandates that environmental rules and regulations are maintained strictly by those owning private property in the area.
The Pulai River starts at the Mount Pulai and drains into the Tebrau Straits. At the mouth of the river is the largest seagrass bed of the country. A vast mangrove ecoregion is also located here. Intensive research is carried out in the ecoregion to study the unique collection of flora and fauna here.
Located on the islands of Borneo, the Lower Kinabatangan Segama Wetlands span an area of 788.03 square km. The site was added to the Ramsar List on October 28, 2008. The wetland area constitutes three Forest Reserves, the Kuala Maruap and Kuala Segama Forest Reserve, Kulamba Wildlife Reserve, and the Trusan Kinabatangan Forest Reserve. These wetlands serve as an important habitat for numerous resident and migratory birds. They are also a vital habitat of the Bornean orangutans and are significant for the conservation of orangutans.
Often called the "lungs of the Earth," the Amazon rainforest spans nine countries, but about 60% lies in Brazil. In recent years, disastrous fires, caused mainly by humans, have engulfed extensive tracts of this precious forest and killed its wild inhabitants in thousands. These fires have plundered the natural wealth of vast sections of the Amazon, making a mockery of millions of years of evolution.
The Amazon rainforest has incredible biodiversity. It is the world's most biodiverse ecosystem hosting around 10% of the global species. It is the birthplace of innumerable small rivers and streams that give rise to the mighty Amazon River that supports millions of human and animal lives in its basin area. About 3 million indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon also depend on the forest for their survival.
