Melanie Dixon is a principal ecologist and serves as a trustee and deputy chair for the National Wetland Trust of New Zealand.
Wetlands are often undervalued, but are amongst the most productive ecosystems in the world, home to an immense variety of species and acting as important filtration and buffer systems. These ecosystems are also hugely important carbon sinks, storing ~1/3 of the world’s terrestrial carbon. Unfortunately, over the last 300 years, 85% of the world’s wetland areas have been destroyed.

On February 2nd we celebrate World Wetlands Day and this episode serves as the first interview in our two-part series on the wonders of wetlands!

In this episode we cover:
• Melanie’s background and her journey to ecology and wetland preservation
• What classifies as a wetland and why they are so important for human and planetary health
• The valuable work of the National Wetland Trust in New Zealand
• The current state of New Zealand’s wetlands and impacts of farming and development
• Why peatlands are one of the most important types of wetlands
• What we can do to conserve and restore New Zealand’s wetland areas

World Wetlands Day is held annually to celebrate the 1971 adoption of the International Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian city of Ramsar, with this year’s theme being Wetlands and Water. The National Wetland Trust will be releasing a new report on 2nd February, to coincide with World Wetlands Day.

We hope you enjoy this important conversation and would love to hear your feedback! Be sure to tag @TheLentilIntervention and help us reach more people by liking, reviewing, subscribing and sharing this episode with your friends and family.

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