Rain After Drought: The Hydrological Importance of Wetlands in a Changing Climate
Rain After Drought: The Hydrological Importance of Wetlands in a Changing Climate
Following a prolonged dry period, the return of all that rain this week is likely to bring some welcome relief — not only to our gardens and water supplies, but also to Ireland’s often-overlooked wetland ecosystems.
Wetlands play a critical role in natural water regulation, yet they are frequently underappreciated in infrastructure and land use planning. Their capacity to buffer hydrological extremes — from droughts to floods — makes them increasingly important in the face of climate variability.
Wetlands as Dynamic Water Managers
Wetlands function as both hydrological sinks and sources:
During periods of heavy rainfall, healthy wetlands absorb and retain water, reducing peak flows and helping to mitigate flood risk downstream.
In dry conditions, they gradually release stored moisture, supporting base flows in adjacent rivers and streams and maintaining soil hydration.
However, these services are highly dependent on the ecological integrity and hydrological connectivity of the wetland. Drainage, infilling, vegetation degradation, and upstream abstraction all reduce the resilience of wetlands to perform these roles.
Impacts of Drought and Sudden Rainfall
When rainfall follows a period of drought:
Degraded wetlands may be less able to absorb water, resulting in rapid runoff and localised flooding.
Compaction and vegetation loss in overgrazed or disturbed peatlands may further exacerbate this.
The sudden influx of nutrients and sediments can impact water quality and aquatic biodiversity in connected systems.
These risks highlight the importance of integrating wetland condition assessments into local and regional climate adaptation strategies.
Our Role in Wetland Management and Monitoring
At Wetland Surveys Ireland, we support clients in understanding, assessing, and restoring wetland systems. Our work includes:
Wetland and peatland habitat surveys, including baseline and condition assessments.
Hydrological mapping and assessment to support planning and restoration.
Monitoring of restoration outcomes in rewetting, bog rehabilitation and agricultural land-use change.
Integration of wetland ecosystem services into appropriate assessments (AA), EIAs, and nature-based solutions.
Our experience includes working with public authorities, wind and solar farm developers, conservation groups, and agri-environment schemes to ensure that wetlands are not treated as residual land, but as vital ecological infrastructure.
A Time for Re-Evaluation
This week’s rainfall may seem minor, but it serves as a reminder of how connected weather, water and land really are. The climatic extremes Ireland is facing — including more frequent droughts and intense rain events — demand a more strategic approach to managing our natural resources.
Wetlands are not a luxury. They are a climate adaptation asset. Investing in their protection and restoration is not only good for biodiversity, but essential for long-term water security, soil health and flood resilience.
If your organisation is involved in land management, development, or environmental planning, we’d be happy to discuss how our services can support your goals.