Ramsar Factsheets 1-4 en
Ramsar Factsheets 1-4 en
Ramsar Factsheets 1-4 en
Convention
on Wetlands
Wetlands:
why should I care?
Humans often equate wetlands with wasteland;
a place to be drained, filled in, burnt off and
re-purposed. In fact, scientific studies show that 64%
of the worlds wetlands have disappeared since 1900.
Measured against 1700, an estimated 87% have
been lost.
Why is this such an alarming trend? And why are wetlands actually
essential to sustainable development for the human race?
Wetlands are
Wetlands guarantee
our food supply
everywhere
Wetlands purify
3%
Peatlands
30%
Peatlands
Fact Sheet
Convention
on Wetlands
Good practices
in wetlands planning
and management
Integrate local stakeholders
from the start
People who occupy, own, govern,
or rely on the wetlands have a
natural interest in them. Involve
them directly and take their
needs into account.
Do a wetlands inventory and
impact assessment
Note the extent and types of
wetlands, the biodiversity present
(what species, how abundant,
how are they threatened),
the other services they provide,
and who relies on them.
Evaluate the likely impact
for a range of possible uses and
activities for the site.
www.ramsar.org
Fact Sheet 2.1
Interesting
examples of wise
management
in action
Mauritania
Diawling National Park
Ramsar Site
Lao PDR
Xe Champhone Ramsar Site
Appendix 2: Socio-Econ
Conservation in the Xe Champhone Ramsar Site, Lao PDR
Fiji
Cakaulevu reef system
The Great Sea Reef, locally known
59
Fact Sheet
Convention
on Wetlands
Wetlands: a global
disappearing act
Its a sobering picture. Scientific estimates show
that 64% of the worlds wetlands have disappeared
since 1900. In some regions, notably Asia, the loss
is even higher. Inland wetlands are disappearing at
a faster pace than coastal ones, but the overall
trend is clear.
As a result,1900
access to fresh water
Wetland
What is driving
this loss?
Unfortunately, wetlands are often
viewed as wasteland; something
to be drained, filled and converted
to other purposes. The main causes
of the degradation and loss of
wetlands are:
Major changes in land use,
especially an increase in agriculture
and grazing animals
Water diversion through dams,
dikes and canalization
Infrastructure development,
particularly in river valleys and
coastal areas
Air and water pollution and
excess nutrients
Oceania
0.8
Oceania
North
America
North
America
0.7
Africa
Africa
0.6
0.5
Asia
Asia
0.4
Europe
Europe
0.3
0.2
www.ramsar.org
Fact Sheet 3.1
Year 1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006 08
Wetlands Extent Index as published in the CBD Technical Series No.78: Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets
Ex-wetlands:
where are they now?
Urban
Development
19%
Rural
Development
Deepwater
Habitat
15%
24%
Silviculture
42%
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Status and Trends of Wetlands
in the Conterminous United States 1998 to 2004 and 2004 to 2009
What can
decisionmakers do?
Detailed suggestions for wise management at site level can be found in Fact Sheet 2
Wetlands: wise use basics on site. Actions that individuals can take for wetlands are
outlined in depth in Fact Sheet 4 Wetlands: What can I do?
Fact Sheet
Convention
on Wetlands
Wetlands:
what can I do?
Youre convinced that wetlands provide a multitude
of benefits, including filtering our water, ensuring
biodiversity, protecting our coastlines, and mitigating
climate change.
And youre alarmed that 64% of the worlds wetlands have disappeared
since 1900, and that the remaining ones are being degraded. So what can one
person actually do to help turn the tide?
Seven actions
you can take for
wetlands
1
Open your eyes to the
wetlands near you
Look around to see what types are
in your area. Saltwater marshes,
fens, swamps, peat bogs and
mangroves are some of the more
common types. Coral reefs, lakes
and rivers are also considered
wetlands.
Visit a wetland near you to get
a deep personal impression. What
kind of vegetation and wildlife
thrive there? How the site is
being used? Go back at different
times of year and observe how
the surroundings change.
www.ramsar.org
Fact Sheet 4.1
Organize a wetlands
3
clean-up
In populated areas, wetlands often
attract rubbish.
Working in a group for an hour
or two can show how much
of a clean-up can be achieved in
a very short time.
Take pictures before and after
to highlight the difference.
4
Change your consumption
habits
Saving water, reducing harmful
waste and encouraging sustainable
farming and fishing can all have
a positive effect on wetlands.
The worlds oldest and largest global environmental organization has more than 1,200 member
organisations around the globe, including Ramsar.
Search their member database here:
https://www.iucn.org/about/union/members/who_
members/members_database/
Birdlife International
Management Institute