A large part of the world's population lives in or near floodplain
areas, where the soils are rich in nutrients and, therefore, very
fertile.
As a result of their potential as agricultural land (and also
because they are feared as places that harbor disease), wetlands
have undergone massive conversion around the world.
Data on actual numbers of wetlands converted or modified are
not available globally. However, Myers (1997:129) estimated that
half of the wetlands of the world were lost in the 20th century.
