The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) yesterday launched their “Wetlands of Guyana” book, an insight into the ecology of selected wetlands with recommendations from the WWF- Guianas.

The book highlights the wetlands of Guyana and the animals that surround them, while the importance of each of the areas is highlighted.
Wetlands provide important environmental services such as regulation of river flows, vital sources of fresh water, filter for pollutants and an important home for biodiversity.
Guyana is world-renowned for its wetlands, from those of the Shell Beach protected area and the Upper Corentyne to the North Rupununi.
On the coast, the mangrove wetlands have the important functions of sea defense, nurseries for fish and various crustaceans, and a source of livelihood.
Meanwhile, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has repeatedly emphasized that there must be vigilance to ensure that water regulations are enforced at every level.
Guyana, as is the case in the entire Guiana Shield, is defined by its abundance of water resources and wetlands, including rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, and swamps. The country’s wetlands are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems, and are important centres for socio-economic and cultural activities, and ecological processes.
Most of the information on Guyana’s wetlands exists primarily about the North Rupununi wetlands, largely facilitated through a focus on the Iwokrama Forest Reserve and the wider North Rupununi area and communities.
Wetlands are very important to Guyana and “therefore we must take good care and try to preserve them as much as possible,” according to an extract from Wetlands of Guyana.
Ms. Aiesha Williams, a representative of the WWF Guianas, noted that it’s an honour to be a part of such a remarkable moment. She highlighted some of the objectives of the book as filling  the information gap, emphasising  the need for protection and conservation, stimulating  interest for wetlands and their value, and also increasing awareness.
Some of the areas that were studied and observed for the publication of the book include: the Mahaica- Mahaicony-Abary/Agricultural Wetlands, the East Demerara Water Conservancy, Essequibo Coast lakes and wetlands, and the North Rupununi district, among others.
The main contributors to the book were Dr. Patrick and Aiesha Williams, while contributions also came from Dr. Elroy Charles, Calvin Bernard, and Oronde Drakes, among others.
Students from the University of Guyana attended the launching ceremony yesterday while remarks were delivered by a representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and officials of WWF-Guianas.