Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance–Improving Conservation Outcomes

The Ramsar Convention (or the Convention on Wetlands), signed in 1971, was one of the first international conservation agreements, promoting global wise use of wetlands. It has three primary objectives: national designation and management of wetlands of international importance; general wise use of wetlands; and international cooperation. We examined lessons learnt for improving wetland conservation after Ramsar’s nearly five decades of operation. The number of wetlands in the Ramsar Site Network has grown over time (2,391 Ramsar Sites, 2.5 million km2, as at 2020-06-09) but unevenly around the world, with decreasing rate of growth in recent decades. Ramsar Sites are concentrated in countries with a high Gross Domestic Product and human pressure (e.g., western Europe) but, in contrast, Ramsar Sites with the largest wetland extent are in central-west Africa and South America. We identified three key challenges for improving effectiveness of the Ramsar Site Network: increasing number of sites and wetland area, improved representation (functional, geographical and biological); and effective management and reporting. Increasing the number of sites and area in the Ramsar network could benefit from targets, implemented at national scales. Knowledge of representativeness is inadequate, requiring analyses of functional ecotypes, geographical and biological representativeness. Finally, most countries have inadequate management planning and reporting on the ecological character of their Ramsar Sites, requiring more focused attention on a vision and objectives, with regular reporting of key indicators to guide management. There are increasing opportunities to rigorously track ecological character, utilizing new tools and available indicators (e.g., remote sensing). It is critical that the world protect its wetlands, with an effective Ramsar Convention or the Convention on Wetlands at the core.

The Vega Alta of Segura River (Southeast of Spain): A Wetland of International Importance

The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, which establishes nine criteria related to natural values and a cultural one that wetlands must meet to be included in the list of wetlands of international importance. We aim to evaluate if the wetlands of the Vega Alta of the Segura River (southeast of Spain) meet the requirements to fulfil this agreement. Thanks to meticulous fieldwork and a bibliographic review related to the stated objective, we collected information on the existing environmental and cultural values. The results show that this set of wetlands is home to 11 species of threatened vertebrates in Spain, two priority habitats in the European Union, as well as cultural values related to their origin, conservation, and ecological functioning. Likewise, in the area there are archaeological sites, traditional uses of water associated with the cultivation of rice, and religious manifestations. Effective wetland inventories and rigorous analyzes of their ecological and environmental characteristics, as well as their socioeconomic functions, need to be carried out in order to improve their management and protection. This wetland certainly meets three criteria to be included in the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands.

Wetland Based Ecotourism for Sustainable Development in Nepal

Wetlands despite being rich in biodiversity and associated ecosystem services, they are often poorly acknowledged by the concerned stakeholders. This lack of affirmation exposes wetlands to different anthropogenic disturbances, driving towards their loss and degradation. Population growth and enhanced purchasing power are exacerbating the problems. Non-consumptive value of wetlands for sustainable development are poorly explored in case of Nepal. This article aims to identify the prospects of ecotourism as tools for sustainable management of ecotourism in Nepal by synthesizing finding of available literatures on ecotourism and wetland. Nepal is home to 5000 lakes and many more wetlands but they are poorly managed and thus fail to make significant contribution to the local livelihood. Wise use of these valuable resources could turn wetlands into panacea. Ecotourism is one of the potential tool for wise use of wetlands. This sustainable alternative of mass tourism generates funds for conservation of wetland, generate economic opportunity and helps to address the issue of poverty and other social problems. Wetlands are home to wide variety of wild mammals, birds and other plants and animals thus are potential sites for ecotourism. Properly planned and executed ecotourism plans can this ecotourism potential into tools of sustainable development for Nepal.

Aspek Hukum Pelestarian Lahan Basah pada Situs Ramsar di Indonesia (Studi Terhadap Implementasi Konvensi Ramsar 1971 di Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting)

The Ramsar Convention have been transformed and implemented into Indonesian law. In practice, still found non-synchronized regulations that have not been able to implement the sustainable and wise use of wetlands. The prevention of peatland degradation must be holistic by involving the community and make intens socialization in order to create a sense of belonging and ownership. It is the purpose of this article to analyze the implementation of the Ramsar Convention 1971 on the peatland ecosystem protection and management at Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, and related to how Government efforts and policy to prevent the degradation of peatland since it was established as Ramsar Site in Indonesia.IntisariKetentuan-ketentuan dalam Konvensi Ramsar telah dilaksanakan dan ditransformasikan ke dalam peraturan perundang-undangan di Indonesia. Dalam praktiknya, masih ditemukan peraturan-peraturan yang tidak sinkron, sehingga belum dapat melaksanakan komitmen pemanfaatan lahan basah secara bijaksana dan berkelanjutan. Upaya pencegahan degradasi gambut harus dilaksanakan secara holistik dengan mengikutsertakan masyarakat dan mengintensifkan sosialisasi agar tercipta sense of belonging, dan ownership. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis implementasi Konvensi Ramsar 1971 terkait perlindungan dan pengelolaan ekosistem gambut di Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting, Kalimantan Tengah. Sekaligus untuk melihat sejauh mana upaya Pemerintah dalam mencegah degradasi ekosistem gambut, sejak Tanjung Puting ditetapkan sebagai Situs Ramsar di Indonesia.

Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites)

Ramsar Sites are wetlands considered to be of international importance. The international convention which forms the basis for their identification is commonly referred to as the "Ramsar Convention" after the city in Iran where the convention was signed in 1971. The Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are currently over 2,200 Ramsar Sites around the world. They cover over 2.1 million square kilometres, an area larger than Mexico. For more information, visit: www.ramsar.org Biodiversity Surface water

Assessing wetland degradation and loss of ecosystem services in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

The Niger Delta, being the most extensive freshwater wetland and aquatic ecosystem in West Africa, provides numerous services both to local people and to the West African economy. Ongoing environmental pressure exerted by large-scale oil extraction and illegal timber logging, however, are suspected to have had a substantial impact on the Delta’s ecosystems over the last decades. Knowledge on impact of these activities on the region’s wetlands now or in the past is scarce and patchy. To address this lack of knowledge, this study assesses spatiotemporal changes in two wetlands in the region by using satellite data from 1984 to 2011 and GIS methods. The results show that both wetlands have experienced substantial degradation, particularly with respect to the area of forest lost. Although comprehensive environmental protection laws were introduced in 1988, ecosystem services of up to US$65 million in value were lost over the study period. The introduction of new legislation in 2007, however, is potentially a first step towards a more ‘wise use’ of wetlands in Nigeria.