The conventions mission is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development. Thus, though nowadays the name of the convention is usually written convention on wetlands ramsar, iran, 1971, it has come to be known popularly as the ramsar convention. For the purpose of this convention wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres. The typology was loosely based on the classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the united states and referred to the definition of wetlands adopted by the convention in 1972. Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance. Ramsar handbook 12 concerning coastal management also stresses many of the same principles that should guide management of coastal wetlands ramsar convention secretariat, 2010a. The convention on wetlands of international importance, also known as the ramsar convention, uses a broad definition of the types of wetlands covered in its mission, including lakes and rivers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands and peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, nearshore marine areas, mangroves and coral reefs, and. The definition of the word wetland, under the convention, is any land area that is saturated or flooded. Implications on the conservation and wise use of wetlands in africa abstract. The ramsar convention the convention on wetlands of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat, sometimes also known as the ramsar convention from its place of adoption in 1971 in iran, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for international cooperation for the conservation of wetland habitats. Convention on wetlands of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat ramsar, iran, 2.
Ramsar sites are wetlands considered to be of international importance. Change in ecological character defined as the humaninduced adverse alteration of any ecosystem component, process, andor ecosystem benefitservice ramsar convention. Convention on wetlands of international importance. As defined by the ramsar convention areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres. Tracking the rapid loss of tidal wetlands in the yellow sea pdf. This definition is largely based on the one contained in article 2 of the convention on biological diversity ramsar convention 2005. South america is the wettest continent on earth, with wetlands accounting for 20% of its area. The ramsar convention on wetlands provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world. The ramsar conventions typology of wetlands was adopted in 1990 along with an information sheet for describing ramsar sites. Ramsar convention 1971 pdf download criteria,ramsar. The convention on wetlands of international importance, called the ramsar convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
The convention on wetlands of international importance holds the unique distinction of being the first modern treaty between nations aimed at conserving natural resources. The most significant of these is the ramsar convention on wetlands. The convention was signed in the city of ramsar in iran where it derives its name in the year 1971. Coongie lakes ramsar site ecological character description. In 2002, the eighth conference of the contracting parties to the.
Wetlands are defined in article 1 of the convention as areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that. The convention on wetlands of international importance, especially as waterfowl habitat, or ramsar convention, is an international treaty designed to address global concerns regarding wetland loss and degradation. Ramsar convention an overview sciencedirect topics. Davis and published in 1994, it was enthusiastically welcomed as an essential vade mecumthrough the sometimes bewildering world of ramsar resolutions, guidelines, and terminology.
United nations millennium ecosystem assessment and ramsar convention. Under the ramsar convention, wetland types have been defined to provide a very broad framework to aid rapid identification of the main wetland habitats represented at each ramsar site. A brief history of cultural heritage and sustainable management of wetlands 2. Once designated, these sites are added to the convention s list of wetlands of international importance and become known as ramsar sites. Vi has been supplemented by the ramsar advisory mission, a technical.
The ramsar convention s typology of wetlands was adopted in 1990 along with an information sheet for describing ramsar sites. The signing of the convention on wetlands took place in 1971 at the small iranian town of ramsar. As defined by the convention, wetlands include a wide variety of habitats such as marshes. Ramsar convention typology of wetlands request pdf. The convention on wetlands of international importance. The ramsar definition of wetland wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres article 1. Ramsar convention on wetlands definition of ramsar. No specific reference is made in the diwa definition to the additional areas covered in article 2. The convention on wetlands, called the ramsar convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. This was in part due to a lack of understanding of their important functions, values, goods and. Apr 27, 2016 ramsar convention is the only global environment treaty dealing with a particular ecosystem. In response to massive degradation of wetland habitats coupled with resultant decline in migratory bird populations in europe, the ramsar convention on wetlands came into force in 1975 as the first international treaty aimed at the conservation of natural resources.
Since then, the convention on wetlands has been known as the ramsar convention. Interestingly, the ramsar convention contains a broad definition of. Ramsar convention on wetland minutes and notifications minutes of the 4th meeting of central wetland regulatory authority cwra held on 23. However, this wetland habitat lacks a specific definition and most ramsar sites under this classification may also include lakes, meadows, coastal lagoons. According to the convention, wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the. It is named after the city of ramsar in iran, where the convention was signed in 1971. White storks, blacknecked storks, barheaded geese, spoonbills, etc. The ramsar convention is an international treaty aimed towards the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Ramsar convention 1971 pdf download criteria,ramsar sites in india search for. Wetland type is identified for each site on the relevant ramsar information sheet. Bhoj wetland was recognized as a wetland of international importance under the ramsar convention of 1971 in 2002. Ramsar convention on wetlands, ramsar site, montreux record. A guide to the convention on wetlands, ramsar, iran, 1971 w hen the ramsar manualwas first compiled by t. The convention on wetlands ramsar, iran, 1971 is an intergovernmental treaty whose mission is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world. 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. Ramsar convention on wetlands it is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Established in 1971 in iran, the ramsar convention on wetlands initially aimed to conserve wetland ecosystems, in particular for their importance as a.
The primary purposes of the treaty are to list wetlands of international importance and to promote their wise use, with the ultimate. The ramsar convention was the first of the modern instruments seeking to. The ramsar convention the need for a convention on wetlands on february 3rd 1971, in the little iranian town of ramsar, nestling between the alborz mountains and the caspian coast, the representatives of 18 nations put their signatures to the text of a remarkable treaty. Implementation of the ramsar convention on south american. The ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. The codes used to define wetland types for ramsar sites are based upon the. Hence, as defined by the convention, wetlands include a wide. Effective agreements like it can contribute to a governments legitimacy and help to sustain peaceful conditions among its own people and with its. The wetland definition used in diwa is adapted from the ramsar convention to suit most australian conditions. The convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. The convention on wetlands of international importance ramsar. The upper lake acts as the lifeline of the city supplying 40% of its potable water. Ramsar convention typology of wetlands springerlink. According to the convention, wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters.
Armed with a wide definition of wetlands that includes lakes, rivers and coastal waters, the ramsar convention is in a position to help countries build capacity to effectively manage wetlands. The ramsar convention takes a broad approach in determining the wetlands which. The ramsar convention on wetlands was developed as a means to call international attention to the rate at which wetland habitats were disappearing, in part due to a lack of understanding of their important functions, values, goods and services. In 1971, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands was signed at ramsar. The ramsar convention on wetlands was developed as a means to call international attention to the rate at which wetland habitats were disappearing. Wetlands and people international water management. Recognizes wetlands importance to communities, cultures, governments, and businesses and encourages wetland conservation and wise use of wetlands. In the united states, wetlands are defined as those areas that are inundated or. The ramsar convention on wetlands department of agriculture. The ramsar convention on wetlands the destruction of wetlands has led to several initiatives to protect and restore them.
The 2nd of february each year is world wetlands day. The ramsar convention provides a framework for voluntary international cooperation for wetland conservation. A guide to the convention on wetlands ramsar, iran, 1971. Ramsar convention on wetlands synonyms, ramsar convention on wetlands pronunciation, ramsar convention on wetlands translation, english dictionary definition of ramsar convention on wetlands.
The typology was loosely based on the classification of wetlands and. The convention on wetlands of international importance, also referred to as the ramsar convention, is a treaty devoted to wetland conservation. Ramsars carrots and sticks art, vi allows the conference of parties to make general or specific recommendations to the contracting parties regarding the conservation, management and wise use of wetlands and their flora and fauna. The ramsar convention has adopted a very inclusive definition. The ramsar convention encourages the designation of sites containing representative, rare or unique wetlands, or wetlands that are important for conserving biological diversity. Wetlands, biodiversity and the ramsar convention informea. The ramsar wetland classification system is an important tool by which the convention identifies wetlands underrepresented in the list of wetlands of international importance in order to encourage their designation and appropriate long term management. Many of the other wetland definitions used in australia and queensland are based on the ramsar definition and. The definition of wetlands in the first article of the convention, one of the broadest possible, has been widely accepted.
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