Wetlands in Zimbabwe

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from 21 November 2024, shows the wetlands of Lakes Chivero (right) and Manyame (left) in Zimbabwe. Together they form one of the seven wetlands of international importance, designated by Zimbabwe under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, also known as Ramsar sites. 

The Convention on Wetlands is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Wetlands are vital to life on Earth. Among the planet’s most productive ecosystems, they are biodiversity hotspots – providing essential habitat for countless species of plants and animals. They are also crucial to human wellbeing, offering freshwater, food and natural materials, while regulating floods, recharging groundwater and playing a key role in mitigating climate change. 

For over 20 years, ESA and the Convention on Wetlands have worked closely and informally, united by a deep commitment to halting this decline and ensuring the sustainable use of wetlands. ESA has served as an accredited observer at the Convention’s Conferences of the Parties and actively contributes to the Convention’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel.