Recent research suggests Earth’s largest lakes and reservoirs are losing water. But these losses don’t just threaten drinking water for humans. They also impact nearby wetlands, one of Earth’s most critical—and yet under-appreciated—resources.
Wetlands exist across the globe and support both natural ecosystems and human communities. This interactive map from Esri tours 11 of the largest wetlands in the world.
You can explore each area with 3D imagery and learn more about the benefits wetlands provide. Each place also includes an inset map to orient you on Earth.
From swamps and marshes to high-altitude peatlands, wetlands can be found in a range of geographies and climates. Many wetlands, such as West Siberian Lowlands (the world’s largest wetlands), depend on rivers. Others, such as the Lake Chad Basin, center around large bodies of water. And some, including the Magellanic Moorlands, connect coastal and inland areas.
As the map flies between locations, you can observe variations in topography and latitude. In this map, you’ll find wetlands at the southern tip of South America and in Northern Russia. They can be craggy or lush, shaped by ancient glaciers or by some of Earth’s most ferocious rivers. They sustain diverse forms of animal and plant life and help moderate climate change. And many are key drivers for human economies that depend on fishing, agriculture, and aquaculture.
Despite being historically undervalued, there is hope yet for wetlands. More than 170 countries have joined the Ramsar Convention to conserve and protect wetlands. As a result, more than 2,500 wetlands across more than 250 million hectares are now protected.
