Wetlands such as those along the Montgomery and Fairland Spruits may look like just breeding grounds for annoying insects, but are worth looking after.
“Also known as swamps or marshes, wetlands play an important part in the way nature works and we should actually treat them with a lot of respect,” Maropeng’s ‘spokeshominid’ Harry the Hominid said.
Here are some of the valuable things wetlands do:
-Wetlands help remove excess nutrients which come from human activities, and turn them into food for plants and animals
-Some wetland plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it, which helps control climate change
-Wetlands act like sponges, soaking up excess water and storing it for when the weather is dry so our rivers don’t flood or run dry
-Wetlands give us clean water
-Wetlands are filled with insect, bird and animal life that should be preserved
Because wetlands are clearly such a good thing Harry reckons we shouldn’t let any rubbish get into the water.
“Help keep the water clean and pure so that creatures and plants will have a place to live. Then you can also enjoy it by fishing, swimming, sailing or bird watching in and around the wetlands, and keep doing so for years to come.”
Details: www.maropeng.co.za
