Wetlands are one of the most vital and productive ecosystems on our planet. They serve as the world's natural sponges and water purifiers, playing an indispensable role in climate regulation, maintaining the global hydrological cycle, and safeguarding ecosystem diversity. Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the sea, are the most extensive wetland type in the Pacific Island region. New Caledonia has around 24,000 km2 of coral reefs, including the world's second-largest barrier reef.