Why are wetlands so threatened?
The loss of wetlands worldwide has been estimated at approximately 50% of those which existed in 1900 (OECD, 1996; Spiers, 2005). In the UK, it is estimated that only 5% of the land surface covered by wetlands in pre-Roman times constitutes wetlands now (Wildlife Trusts, 2005). A study of the impacts of climate change around Europe (Parry, 2000), predicted that change to weather patterns will increase pressure on water resources in terms of quality and availability to both humans and wildlife (Crooks et al, 2005).
In Sussex alone, over 60% of wetlands were intensively drained for agriculture between 1960 and 1980 (Sussex Wildlife Trust. 1995). There are currently real and urgent shortages in water resources throughout the county. Ever increasing water demands are placing huge pressures on existing wetlands and are threatening their importance as wildlife resources in Sussex.
