Protect our wetlands!

A peat bog at Soma in Sandnes destroyed by landfill.
Photo: Roy Mangersnes

Globally, wetland ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming rate. Since 1970 we have lost 35% of the world’s wetlands, and they continue to disappear three times faster than forests and woodlands. The biggest threats to wetlands are land management changes such as landfill and development. Other factors include cultivation, drainage and pollution. If our wetlands disappear, we will lose the plants and animals that live there, as well as all the benefits we obtain from them.

Wetland conservation

The most important and beneficial thing we can do for wetlands is to protect them as nature intended. One way of doing this is by conservation action. Protected areas must be conserved with as little disruption to natural processes as possible. This will enable both the wildlife and we humans to continue to obtain all the benefits that wetlands offer.

The Kjørholmene islands are both a Ramsar site and nature reserve. A nature reserve is the strongest form of conservation designation in Norway.
Photo: Roy Mangersnes

The Ramsar Convention

Norway has undertaken to conserve its most important wetlands under the international Ramsar Convention. Norway has 63 wetlands and wetland systems designated as globally important. These are called ‘Ramsar sites’ and are protected under the Norwegian Biodiversity Act. The Jæren Wetlands System consists of 23 nature reserves and bird conservation sites, all protected under the Ramsar Convention.

Bevaring av intakt myr er et viktig tiltak for å unngå mer utslipp av karbondioksid.
Foto: Erik Thoring

Wetlands Visitor Centres in Jæren

A Mostun Nature Centre
B Orre outdoor centre
C Kvassheim lighthouse

The Jæren Wetlands System

1 Alvevatn, Klepp
2 Orrevatn, Klepp
3 Lonavatn Klepp/Sandnes
4 Øksnevadtjørn, Klepp
5 Orre-Reve, Klepp
6 Grudavatn, Klepp
7 Skeie, Klepp
8 Bjårvatn, Hå
9 Søylandsvatn, Hå
10 Brusand-Ogna, Hå
11 Kvassheim, Hå
12 Nærlandstangen-Obrestad, Hå
13 Vigremyr, Hå
14 Hagavågen, Sola
15 Grannesbukta, Sola
16 Strandnesvågen, Sola
17 Harvalandsvatn, Sola
18 Storamyr, Sola
19 Kolnes, Sola
20 Linemyr, Time
21 Smokkevatn, Time
22 Børaunen, Randaberg
23 Kjør-Rott-Håstein, Sola

 

Map: Ellen Jepson