Abstract

Wetlands, vital ecosystems that support 40 % of the world's species and serve as nature's water filters, are disappearing three times faster than forests. While global research extensively examines the increasing degradation of wetland health, there exists a significant research gap concerning its impact on livelihoods and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To address this gap, a systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, utilising data from 1270 database records and 350 research studies spanning 1990 to 2023. The study reveals alarming annual wetland health loss rates ranging from 0.02 % to 3.14 %, driven globally by built-up areas, agricultural expansion, climate change, and pollution. Notably, developing countries and those with lower development indices exhibit the highest rates of wetland health degradation, primarily attributed to agricultural and urban expansion, as well as pollution. The analysis establishes a negative correlation between wetland health degradation rates, driving factors, and key indicators such as the Sustainable Development Goal Index (SDGI) (r = −0.38), Environmental Performance Index (EPI) (r = −0.34), Income Classification (r = −0.42), and Human Development Index (HDI) (r = −0.38). The study emphasizes the imperative of improving economic and socio-ecological conditions to enhance conservation and restoration efforts in wetland areas, thereby contributing to the achievement of SDGs. The interconnectedness of wetland health with broader SDGs underscores the need for targeted interventions. Recommendations include prioritizing comprehensive strategies for environmental and societal well-being, urging policymakers and practitioners to consider the holistic implications of wetland health degradation in their decision-making processes.