Beverly Mae N.

dela Cruz
ENS 275 2nd Sem AY 2018-2019
R Section TV1-Lec

A
M
S
A
R Convention on Wetlands
 Ramsar Convention
The Convention on Wetlands

MISSION
The Convention and its Mission

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

Arousing Public Interest in Wetlands

WETLANDS AND SDGs

Critical Role of Wetlands in the attainment of SDGs

DESIGNATION AND MANAGEMENT

Classification and Evaluation (Wetlands of International
Importance)
An intergovernmental
treaty that provides the
framework for national
action and international
cooperation for
conservation and wise “The conservation and
use of wetlands and their wise use of all wetlands
resources. through local and
national actions and
international cooperation,
THE CONVENTION as a contribution towards
achieving sustainable
development throughout
the world.”

MISSION
W
E
T
L
A
N
D
S
Wetlands
remain in
disrepute
throughout
human history.
 Man, Wetlands and Conflict

Mesopotamia Egypt China India

Euphrates and Tigris Yangtze and Huang Indus and Ganges
Nile Delta Rivers
Rivers He Rivers
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
commodo lacinia dignissim
vel sed, ut vestibulum augue
phasellus eros. Parturient
eros at in diam non eleifend,
ac vitae non non vestibulum
justo. Venenatis porta mit.
 1962 1971 1975 1986 1994
MAR Convention on Convention Paris Protocol Regina
Conference in Wetlands of came into force enters into force. Amendments to
France -Project International upon receipt of Articles 6 and 7
MAR Importance the UNESCO as First of the
"MARshes", (Waterfowl the depositary amendments to Convention
"MARécages" Habitat) signed the Convention enter into force.
"MARismas” by 18 nations
(Ramsar, Iran)
A Conceptual
Framework for the
Wise Use of
Wetlands and the
maintenance of
their ecological
character, and the
application of the
guidelines in the
Ramsar ‘toolkit’ of
Wise Use
Handbooks 2nd
edition (2004).
 Why join the Convention?
 Facilitates development at the national level of policies and actions for the
wise use of wetlands.
 Presents an opportunity for a country to be heard in the principal forum on
conservation and wise use of wetlands.
 Brings increased publicity and prestige for wetlands.
 Encourages international cooperation on wetlands and brings access to
expert advice on national and site-related problems of wetland, conservation
and management.
 Provides access to financial aid through the Convention’s Small Grant Fund.
 Brings access to information and advice on application of the Conventions’
internationally-accepted standards, such as guidelines on application of the
wise use concept and management planning in wetlands.
 Africa, Asia, Europe, Neotropics, North America, Oceania

The network of Ramsar Sites is truly global, and includes coastal and inland wetlands
of all types in all six Ramsar regions.
Designating Ramsar Sites
ARTICLE 2.1. ‘Each Contracting
Party shall designate suitable
wetlands within its territory for
inclusion in a List of Wetlands of
International Importance,
hereinafter referred to as “the
List”.

The boundaries of each wetland

shall be precisely described and
also delimited on a map and
they may incorporate riparian
and coastal zones adjacent to
the wetlands, and islands or
bodies of marine water deeper
than six metres at low tide lying
within the wetlands’.
ARTICLE 2.2. ‘Article 2.2 states:
‘Wetlands should be selected for
the List on account of their
international significance in
terms of ecology, botany,
zoology, limnology
or hydrology.’

Accordingly, any wetland which

meets at least one of the
Criteria for Identifying
Wetlands of International
Importance can be designated
by the appropriate national
authority to be added to
the Ramsar List.
 Group A
The Ramsar Sites Sites containing
Criteria
representative, rare
or unique wetland
The nine criteria for
types
identifying Wetlands
Group B
of International
Importance Sites of international
importance for
conserving biological
diversity Criteria
based on species
and ecological
communities
 Group A

CRITERION 1

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it contains a

representative, rare, or unique example of a natural
or near-natural wetland type found within the
appropriate biogeographic region.
 Group B
Criteria based on species and ecological communities

CRITERION 2 CRITERION 3 CRITERION 4

A wetland should be A wetland should be A wetland should be
considered internationally considered internationally considered internationally
important if it supports important if it supports important if it supports
vulnerable, endangered, populations of plant plant and/or animal
or critically endangered and/or animal species species at a critical stage
species or threatened important for maintaining in their life cycles, or
ecological communities. the biological diversity of provides refuge during
a particular biogeographic adverse conditions.
region.
 Group B
Specific criteria based on waterbirds

CRITERION 5 CRITERION 6
A wetland should be considered A wetland should be considered
internationally important if it internationally important if it
regularly supports 20,000 or regularly supports 1% of the
more waterbirds. individuals in a population of one
species or subspecies of
waterbird.
 Group B
Specific criteria based on fish

CRITERION 7 CRITERION 8
A wetland should be considered A wetland should be considered
internationally important if it supports a internationally important if it is an
significant proportion of indigenous fish important source of food for fishes,
subspecies, species or families, life- spawning ground, nursery and/or
history stages, species interactions migration path on which fish stocks,
and/or populations that are either within the wetland or
representative of wetland benefits elsewhere, depend.
and/or values and thereby contributes
to global biological diversity.
 Group B
Specific criteria based on other taxa

CRITERION 9
A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly
supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or
subspecies of wetland-dependent nonavian animal species.
 8 May 1974

A remote and unspoilt

wilderness area on the far
northern coast of Australia,
was recognized for its
diversity of wetland habitats,
threatened marine species,
significant seabird colonies
and value as a refuge and
breeding site.

It also has a fascinating

Indigenous, Macassan and
European history.

Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory (Australia)

World’s Wetland of International Importance
Managing Ramsar Sites
ARTICLE 3.1. ‘Article 3.1
of the Convention specifies
that “Contracting Parties shall
formulate and implement their
planning so as to promote the
conservation of the wetlands
included in the List” as well as
promoting the wise use of all
the wetlands in their territory.

The Ramsar Management

Toolkit - simple guidance to
site managers on the key
steps and components
involved in managing a
Ramsar Site
ARTICLE 3.2. “Each Contracting
Party shall arrange to be informed
at the earliest possible time if the
ecological character of any wetland
in its territory and included in the
List has changed, is changing or is
likely to change as the result of
technological developments,
pollution or other human
interference.” Contracting Parties
commit to inform the Secretariat of
such changes.”

At the request of a Contracting

Party, the Secretariat may organize
a Ramsar Advisory Mission to
analyze the situation at one or more
Sites, and provide advice on
measures to address the situation.
ARTICLE 5. “Contracting Parties
shall consult with each other about
the implementing obligations
arising from the Convention
especially in the case of wetland
extending over the territories of
more than one Contracting Party.”

ARTICLE 7. “Contracting Parties

at such Conferences should
include persons who are experts
on wetlands or waterfowl by
reason of knowledge and
experience gained in scientific,
administrative or other appropriate
capacities.”
Access to Funds
SMALL GRANTS FUND

The Parties to the Convention

established the Small Grants
Fund (SGF) in 1990 to help
developing countries support
the conservation and wise use
of wetland resources, and the
sustainable development of
communities which depend
on them and care for them.
Since then, the Fund has
provided over eight million
Swiss Francs to over 240
projects from 110 countries.
Wetlands of International Importance: Philippines
Philippines entered into force (8 November 1994)

Ramsar Sites in the Philippines

1. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (Palawan;
Center of Sulu Sea)
2. Naujan Lake National Park (Oriental Mindoro)
3. Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary (Cebu)
4. Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (Butuan)
5. Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and
Ecotourism Area (Manila)
6. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National
Park
7. Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands
Conservation Area (Negros Occidental)
 CRITERIA
Wetlands of International Importance
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (Palawan; √ √ √ √ √ √
Center of Sulu Sea)
2. Naujan Lake National Park (Oriental √ √ √
Mindoro)
3. Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary (Cebu) √ √

4. Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (Butuan) √

5. Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and √ √ √

Ecotourism Area (Manila)
6. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River √ √ √
National Park
7. Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands √ √ √ √
Conservation Area

Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park √

(Indonesia)
 The DENR held a
3-day celebration at
the Olango Island
Wildlife Sanctuary
Nature Center, a
Ramsar site, Lapu-
lapu City.

Philippines
February 2, 1997
First World Wetlands Day
48th Meeting of the Standing
Committee Gland, Switzerland,
26‐30 January 2015

Resolution on Wetlands
and disaster risk
reduction

The impact of natural disasters,

particularly drought, on wetland
ecosystems and Resolution

Climate change and wetlands

The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands receives “Wetland
Conservation Advocacy Award” 4 April 2016 (Philippines)

SCPW was given the “Wetland Conservation Advocacy

Award” in recognition of its campaign for the conservation
and wise use of Philippine Wetlands and attainment of the
Philippines’ commitment to the Ramsar Convention.

The SCPW is the principal and foremost organization

dealing with wetlands in the Philippines. It is a non-
stock, non-profit, non-governmental organization that
focuses its advocacy on educating and capacitating
communities so that they can take action for the wise
use of wetlands. T
Gabaldon floodplains.
Global Wetlands Youth Photo
Contest 2017, themed
“Wetlands that help us cope
with extreme weather events.”

I was mesmerized by the natural beauty and formation of the

place and I couldn’t resist taking the shot. I was inspired by the
fact that the floodplain looked like the African continent and
how it connected the two rural towns showing the unity of life
(Gabriel Mejia 21, BS Civil Engineering, UP Diliman)
 Source:

https://www.ramsar.org/
 Thank you
for
your attention.