Ramsar, Wetlands and Wildlife

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance After 30 Years

Mar 3, 2007

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance emphasizes practical support for wetland conservation. Link between poverty, food and clean water emphasized

In 1971 a treaty was signed in Ramsar, Iran resulting in a framework for conservation of wetlands throughout the world. Since 2002 its focus has become implementation of wetland management programs that help eradicate poverty and provide food and water security while conserving critical habitat. To date 154 countries have designated over 146 million hectares as Wetlands of International Importance.

These Wetlands of International Importance can be any of the following:

Criteria for Inclusion as a Wetland of International Importance:

Critera A

Represents a rare or unique example of natural or near natural wetland of a type found within the appropriate biogeographical region thus deserving conservation

Criteria B

Supports vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered or threatened ecological communities

Supports plants or animals at a critical stage in their life cycle or provides refuge in adverse conditions

Specific waterbird criteria

Specific fish criteria

Supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish species, subspecies, life stages, species interactions or populations that contribute to global biodiversity

Serves as an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery, and/or migration path on which fish stocks depend.

Specific criteria for other taxa

Supports 1% of the individuals of one species or subspecies of wetland dependent non-avian animal species.

The Ramsar Convention provides technical support for implementing wetland conservation and management programs with its handbooks, manuals and guidelines. An internship program recruits recent graduates to work in wetland conservation in their region, thereby increasing local expertise.

Financial support comes through the voluntary contributions of member states and the Ramsar Small Grants Fund, which has supported 166 projects in 80 countries, with over $4.9 million USD awarded to date. Recently the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State Department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Ramsar creating Wetlands For The Future specifically to enhance conservation work in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Because treaties are only of value when there is international cooperation and monetary support (see Treaties without Teeth), the Ramsar Convention’s emphasis on guiding international cooperative wetland conservation efforts and encouraging outside funders, along with providing basic grants would appear to be a step in the right direction.

The copyright of the article Ramsar, Wetlands and Wildlife in Ecosystem Preservation is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish Ramsar, Wetlands and Wildlife in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.