Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that provide the world with nearly two-thirds of its fish harvest. Almost every country in the world possesses a wetland of some description.
Mangrove swamps are, typically, tropical wetlands.
The partly submerged roots of mangrove trees spread out beneath the water to trap sediment and prevent it being washed out to sea. Some mangroves are strategically planted between land and sea to stabiliz e shores and to protect communities from violent storms and powerful waves. The result is an area of stillness and tranquillity where fish breed, wildlife takes refuge, and local people earn a living from occupations as diverse as charcoal burning and bee keeping. Floodplains are areas of land seasonally flooded by rivers and lakes, and are found in many parts of the world. One of the most significant is Kafue in Zambia.