 Tropical wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. Many threatened species, including orangutans, rhinoceroses, tigers and leopards, find refuge in peat forests and mangroves. Coastal wetlands supply nutrients and provide breeding habitats for fish. Tropical wetlands protect inland areas from storm surges, tsunamis and erosion. Below the surface, wetlands play another role in mitigating climate change. With so much water present, organic material breaks down slowly in wetlands, forming peaty soils known as histosols. Histosols are important reservoirs of carbon stocks, keeping carbon dioxide in the ground rather than in the atmosphere. But for such an important resource, not enough is known about where wetlands can be found or how much area they cover, particularly in the tropics. That's where the Global Wetlands map comes in. This online, interactive map charts the distribution of wetlands, histosols and carbon stocks around the world. Researchers, developers, engineers and other experts are invited to share their findings and on the ground knowledge to help improve the map. Anyone can access the map and its data online. Just click and drag to explore or find the data sets for download at the bottom of the screen. To verify the map or add your own findings, remember by simply clicking on the login tab at the top and clicking register. Join us to become part of a global research community. Your contributions could identify areas that hold carbon stocks and provide other essential services for climate change, mitigation and adaptation. Help us to help the Earth and conserve a globally important ecosystem.