Half the wetlands in Europe lost in past 300 years, researchers calculate

It was not very clear how many wetlands were left until recently. Some estimates suggested between 28 – 87% has been destroyed since 1700. For the first time, researchers combined global historical records with maps of today’s wetlands to create a more accurate global picture and found an estimated 20% of all wetlands destroyed. Europe, however, was the worst affected area, with Ireland losing more than 90% of its wetlands, Germany, Lithuania and Hungary more than 80% and the UK, the Netherlands and Italy more than 75%.

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