
The Ramsar Convention (Iran) or International Convention on Wetlands
Conservation was signed in 1971 and came into effect in 1975.
The definition of wetlands adopted for the Convention is similar
to the following:
They are extensions of marshes, swamps
and bogs, or water-covered surfaces, whether natural or artificial,
temporary or permanent, stagnant or running, fresh, salty or brackish,
including seawater where depth at low tide is no greater than
six meters.
The
Convention establishes that areas of greater depth can be included
in the definition or delimitation of a wetland if they constitute
an integral part of the ecosystem. This definition is extremely
broad, making it possible to:
- Conserve wetlands and associated resources.
- Preserve the ecological processes that
sustain them.
- Promote restoration of wetlands areas associated
with important ecosystems.
- Promote wise use of wetlands and their
resources.
The RAMSAR Convention, as an international
agreement, is sufficiently general to respect the rights, individualities
and autonomy of signatory nations. Countries adhering to the Convention
are obliged to take wetlands conservation into account in their
land ordering plans. Countries also assume commitments to:
- Designate at least one wetlands area in their territory
for inclusion in the List of Wetlands with International Importance;
- Promote wise use of wetlands in their territory;
- Consult one another regarding compliance with Convention
obligations, especially in the case of a shared wetland or
watershed; and
- Create wetlands preserves
The Convention also establishes clear parameters
and suggestions for wetlands management and conservation, and
recommends that countries:
- Protect their wetlands areas
- Promote wise use of their wetlands and associated resources
- Promote and develop national policy for wetlands conservation
As can be noted, the Convention urges signatory
parties to promote and develop activities by means of all the
mechanisms that have been described. It also provides a legal
framework that takes precedence over organic laws in most of the
Latin American countries, and thus serves as a framework of reference
orienting national policies with either positive or negative relation
to wetlands ecosystems.
All of the countries in Mesoamérica
have signed the Ramsar Convention. The table below indicates the
date countries signed the Convention, and some general characteristics
of wetland areas with international importance included in the
Ramsar list thus far.
Central
American Wetlands with
International Importance
Country/Ramsar
Site
|
Date
|
Region-Location
|
Size(Ha)
|
PANAMÁ
·Golfo de Montijo
·Punta Patiño
·San San-Pond Sak |

11/26/90
10/13/93
06/09/93 |

Veraguas
Darién
Bocas del Toro |

80,765
13,805
16,414 |
COSTA RICA
·Caño Negro
·Gandoca-Manzanillo
·Humedal Caribe Noreste
·Isla del Coco
·Palo Verde
·Tamarindo
·Térraba-Sierpe |

12/27/91
12/11/95
03/20/95
04/21/98
12/27/91
06/09/93
12/12/95 |

Alajuela
Limón
Limón and Heredia
Pacific Ocean
Guanacaste
Guanacaste
Puntarenas |

9,969
9,445
75,310
99,623
19,800
500
30,654 |
NICARAGUA
·Los Guatuzos |

07/30/97
|

Guatuzos/SIAPAZ |

43,750 |
HONDURAS
·Barras de Cuero y Salado
·Parque Nacional Jeanette Kawas
·Refugio de Vida Silvestre Punta Izopo |

06/23/93
03/28/95
03/20/96 |

Atlántida
Atlántida
Atlántida |

13,225
78,150
11,200
|
GUATEMALA
·Laguna del Tigre
·Manchón-Guamuchal
·Refugio de Vida Silvestre Bocas del Polochic |

06/26/90
04/25/95
03/20/96 |

El Petén
San Marcos
Izabal |

48,372
13,500
21,227 |
EL SALVADOR
·Laguna de Jocotal |

08/1998 |

San Miguel |

ND |
BELIZE / BELICE
·Crooked Tree Lagoon Area
·Mexico and Jones Lagoon
Area
|

1998
1998 |

Belize river flood plain
ND |

ND
ND |
The Convention establishes a series of services
and mechanisms to facilitate the work of signatory parties in
complying with their objectives:
- List of Wetlands with International Importance
This list is derived from national wetlands that signatory
nations all over the world designate as having international
importance.
- Database on Wetlands Areas with International Importance
With the support of Wetlands International (ex IWRB) and IUCN,
the Convention secretariat has developed and maintains a database
on wetlands with international importance. This is now the
worlds most extensive source of essential information
on wetlands, and is thus extremely important for monitoring
their situation.
- Wetlands Conservation Fund
This fund provides financing for actions designed to conserve
internationally- important wetland areas and promote their
sustainable use. With support from donors, the Convention
secretariat develops other funding strategies, such as the
Wetlands for the Future program, financed by the Government
of the United States.
- Monitoring Procedures
Countries concerned about degradation of areas on the
list of internationally important wetlands can request monitoring
from the Convention secretariat. This mechanism is thus a
way of helping signatory countries to establish the technical,
administrative and social measures for restoring the wetland
area quickly and efficiently, ensuring its sustainable use,
and receiving follow-up to guarantee that measures are effective.
- Associations with organizations that provide leadership
in the field of conservation and sustainable use of wetlands
The Convention secretariat collaborates closely with organizations
actively working in wetlands conservation and their sustainable
use, particularly Wetlands International and IUCN.
The formal character of the Ramsar Convention
is evident in terms of the international commitments established
through country signature, but its procedures serve as instruments
that facilitate wetlands conservation in imminently practical
ways.
Wetlands Conservation:
A Challenge at Every Level
Not only do wetlands comprise a
large number of ecosystems, they are also extremely heterogeneous
and variable in terms of both time and space. Nevertheless, decisions
must often be made regarding management and use of their resources.
It is important to be aware that these decisions
are not the exclusive responsibility of governments; the responsibility
and commitment corresponds to society as a whole. Just like the
wetlands themselves, mechanisms for achieving these objectives
are both varied and dynamic.
Wetlands
conservation can be achieved through management plans, private
sector development strategies, management and conservation strategies,
administration as protected areas and other mechanisms. But none
of these offer a recipe that can be applied in the same way from
one place to another. One or several of these mechanisms combined
may be the key to reaching objectives for conservation of biodiversity
in wetlands, as the capital base of sustainable development for
people all over the world.
To achieve these goals, different paths must
be forged in response to the cultural, social, economic and ecological
context of each area, country or region. The Ramsar Convention
mechanisms provide opportunity for identifying and using all types
of routes. But there is one universal factor, which is that wetlands-based
conservation and sustainable development requires determination
and participation from everyone, from governments to civil society
to the private sector, at every level. The challenge belongs to
us all.
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