National Planning Tool for the Implementation of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
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The Pond Manifesto
The Pond Manifesto Contents 1 About this document . 5 2 Why protect ponds? . .6 2.1 Overview . .6 2.2 The pond resource . .6 2.3 Pond biodiversity value . .8 2.4 Pond cultural and social value . .10 2.5 Pond economic value and ecosystem services . .12 3 Threats to Ponds . .14 4 Strategy for the conservation of ponds in Europe . .16 4.1 Policy and legislation . .17 4.2 Research and monitoring . .17 4.3 Communication and awareness raising . .18 4.4 Conservation of the pond resource . .19 5 Conclusion: pond conservation is an opportunity . .19 This document sets out the case for the conservation of ponds in a straightforward and convincing manner Acknowledgements Thank you to the very many people who have contributed to the Pond Manifesto, and to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the MAVA Foundation for their support. Thank you also to all the photographers for the use of their images (a list of photographers is available on the EPCN website: www.europeanponds.org) © European Pond Conservation Network 2008 2 Foreword The importance of maintaining global freshwater biodiversity and ensuring its sustainable use cannot be over-emphasised. Wetland ecosystems, including the associated waterbodies, come in all shapes and sizes and all have a role to play. The larger ones, perhaps inevitably, have enjoyed the most attention – it is easy to overlook the many small waterbodies scattered across the landscape. Fortunately, over the last decade, our knowledge and attitude towards small wetlands like ponds has begun to change. We know now that they are crucial for biodiversity This and can also provide a whole range of ecosystem services. -
Wetlands, Biodiversity and the Ramsar Convention
Wetlands, Biodiversity and the Ramsar Convention Wetlands, Biodiversity and the Ramsar Convention: the role of the Convention on Wetlands in the Conservation and Wise Use of Biodiversity edited by A. J. Hails Ramsar Convention Bureau Ministry of Environment and Forest, India 1996 [1997] Published by the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Gland, Switzerland, with the support of: • the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of the Walloon Region, Belgium • the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark • the National Forest and Nature Agency, Ministry of the Environment and Energy, Denmark • the Ministry of Environment and Forests, India • the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Sweden Copyright © Ramsar Convention Bureau, 1997. Reproduction of this publication for educational and other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior perinission from the copyright holder, providing that full acknowledgement is given. Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. The views of the authors expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect those of the Ramsar Convention Bureau or of the Ministry of the Environment of India. Note: the designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Ranasar Convention Bureau concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Citation: Halls, A.J. (ed.), 1997. Wetlands, Biodiversity and the Ramsar Convention: The Role of the Convention on Wetlands in the Conservation and Wise Use of Biodiversity. -
Soil Survey of North Star Area, Alaska
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Survey of In cooperation with Fairbanks North Star Borough, Fairbanks and Salcha-Big Delta North Star Area, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and University of Alaska Fairbanks Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Alaska This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other Federal agencies, State agencies, and local agencies. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) has leadership for the Federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 1988. Soil names and descriptions were approved in 1989. Unless otherwise indicated, statements in this publication refer to conditions in the Survey Area in 1988. This survey was made cooperatively by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, and the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The survey is part of the technical assistance furnished to the Fairbanks and Salcha-Big Delta Soil and Water Conservation District. Soil maps in this survey may be copied without permission. However, enlargement of these maps could cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping. If enlarged, maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a larger scale. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). -
The Ramsar Convention and National Laws and Policies for Wetlands in India
THE RAMSAR CONVENTION AND NATIONAL LAWS AND POLICIES FOR WETLANDS IN INDIA Devaki Panini Case Study prepared for the Technical Consultation on Designing Methodologies to Review Laws and Institutions Relevant to Wetlands Gland, Switzerland 3-4 July 1998 The Ramsar Convention is a historical Convention in many respects particularly as it is one of the oldest ecosystem specific Conventions that speaks of wise use of wetlands and not conservation alone. It also enjoins the Parties to the Convention to formulate and implement their planning so as to promote the conservation of listed wetlands and as far as possible, the wise use of wetlands in their territory (Art 3.1). The review of legal and institutional issues related to wise use of wetlands is mandated further by the Additional Guidance for the implementation of the wise use concept (I-2 of the Additional Guidance). However, at least in the case of India, it would be accurate to say that the review of legal and institutional issues has received little attention by the decision makers in the country. On the other hand, India joined the Convention in 1981 and has six listed sites (Keoladeo National Park, Chilika Lake, Loktak Lake, Wular Lake, Harike Lake and Sambhar Lake). Three sites are already on the Montreux record (Keoladeo National Park. Chilika Lake and Loktak Lake) thus making it imperative to examine the legal and institutional aspects of wetlands management in the country. There are several underlying reasons for this lack of effort by the concerned Government agency to review the legal systems concerning wise use of wetlands. -
The Black-Faced Spoonbill
SAVE International the Black-faced Spoonbill The Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) DESCRIPTION Black-faced Spoonbills are long-legged, long-necked wading birds that resemble egrets. Their elegant feathers are snow white most of the year, but develop a shaggy, golden-yellow crest and breast patch in the summer breeding season. Their legs, feet and toes are jet-black; faces are black and bare around the FACTS eyes and across the forehead. Their black, Worldwide elongated beaks gradually narrow, status: then abruptly fl are out into a Endangered fl att ened disk with a Class: nail at the ti p. Aves CHARACTERISTICS Order: Ciconiiformes Length: 27-29 in (70-75 cm) Family: Weight: Unknown Threskiornithidae Clutch size: 3-5 eggs Subfamily: Incubati on: 21-25 days Plataleinae Diet: Small fi shes, crustaceans, insects, Genus / Species: mollusks, occasional plant material Platalea minor Habitat: Wetlands, marine estuaries Esti mated Range: Spoonbills breed in North Populati on: and South Korea, China and 2,300 Russia; and migrate to winter in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the CURRENT STATUS Philippines. Black-faced Spoonbills are the rarest, and least- studied, spoonbills in the world. They have a global populati on of around 2,000. These birds nest on cliff s with gulls and other seabirds. The only known breeding colonies are on a few small, rocky islands off the coast of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea and China; in the adjacent province of Liaoning in China; and at Furugelm Island (Russia). www.saveinternational.org [email protected] SAVE International the Black-faced Spoonbill The Facts The Plight of the Black-faced Spoonbills in South Korea • A proposed development in Incheon City, South Korea, threatens one of the last remaining pieces of habitat for the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) and other ti dal bird species. -
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: Its History and Development by G
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: its History and Development by G. V. T. Matthews Re-issued Ramsar Convention Secretariat, 2013 The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: its History and Development by G. V. T. Matthews (Ramsar, 1993) Published by the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Gland, Switzerland. © Copyright: 1993 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior permission from the copyright holder. Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. ISBN No. 2-940073-00-7 Edited by: Erika Luthi, Ramsar Printed by: Imprimerie Dupuis SA, CH-1348 Le Brassus, Switzerland. Cover and centre part: Apple Fields, CH-1147 Montricher, Switzerland. Available from: Ramsar Bureau, 28 rue Mauverney, CH-l 196 Gland, Switzerland. The designations of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Ramsar Convention Bureau concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. For this 2013 re-issue of the 1993 edition, no alterations have been made to the original text. Prof Matthews’ figures and descriptions concerning the state of the Convention in 1993 may be updated by reference to the Ramsar website, http://www.ramsar.org. The Ramsar Convention -
1 SOUTH KOREA 22 October – 3 November, 2018
SOUTH KOREA 22 October – 3 November, 2018 Sandy Darling, Jeni Darling, Tom Thomas Most tours to South Korea occur in May for the spring migration or in late fall or winter for northern birds that winter in South Korea. This trip was timed in late October and early November to try see both summer residents and winter arrivals, and was successful in doing so. Birds were much shyer than in North America and often were visible only briefly, so that, for example, we saw few thrushes although they could be heard. This report has been written by Sandy and includes photos from both Tom (TT) and Sandy (SD). Sandy saw 166 species adequately of which 57 were life birds. When one includes birds heard, seen by the leader or others, or not seen well enough to count (BVD), the total was about 184. From trip reports it was clear that the person to lead the tour was Dr Nial Moores, Director of Birds Korea, an NGO working to improve the environment, especially for birds, in Korea. Nial has twenty years of experience in Korea, knows where birds are, and has ears and eyes that are exceptional. He planned the trip, made all the arrangements, found birds that we would not have found on our own and was our interface with Koreans, few of whom speak English. Nial also had to rejig the itinerary when strong winds led to the cancellation of a ferry to Baekryeong Island. We drove the vehicles - confidence was needed in dealing with city traffic, which was as aggressive as other trip reports said! Some of the highlights of the trip were: About 40,000 massed shore birds on Yubu Island, including the rare Spoonbill Sandpiper, a life bird for Tom. -
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
NATIONAL WETLANDS NEWSLETTER, vol. 29, no. 2. Copyright © 2007 Environmental Law Institute.® Washington D.C., USA.Reprinted by permission of the National Wetlands Newsletter. To subscribe, call 800-433-5120, write [email protected], or visit http://www.eli.org/nww. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: Assessment of International Designations Within the United States The Ramsar Convention is an international framework used to protect wetlands. At this time, the United States has 22 designated sites listed as wetlands of international importance. In this Article, the authors analyze survey data collected from each of these 22 sites to determine whether and how Ramsar designation benefits these wetland areas. BY ROYAL C. GARDNER AND KIM DIANA CONNOLLY ssues related to wetlands and wetland protection often involve engage in international cooperation.6 Its nonregulatory approach boundaries. Sometimes the lines are drawn on the ground, has led some to ask what benefits are associated with Ramsar des- delineating between so-called “jurisdictional” wetlands and ignation. For example, the United States has a maze of federal, uplands. Sometimes the boundaries are conceptual: trying state, and local laws that protect wetlands, so does the international Ito determine the proper relationship between the federal and state recognition of a site provide any additional returns? To answer governments with respect to wetland permits, or trying to balance this question, we surveyed all 22 U.S. Ramsar sites.7 Although the the need to protect the aquatic environment without inappropri- results varied from site to site, we found that Ramsar designation ately limiting activities on private property. Other times interna- adds some value to all sites. -
SC54-Com.16 (21.13) Draft Resolution on Promoting the Conservation And
THE RAMSAR CONVENTION ON WETLANDS 54th Meeting of the Standing Committee Gland, Switzerland, 23–27 April 2018 SC54-Com.16 (21.13) Draft resolution on promoting the conservation and wise-use of intertidal wetlands and ecologically-associated habitats Submitted by the Philippines Action requested: • The Standing Committee is invited to review the attached Draft Resolution for consideration by the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties. Draft Resolution XIII.xx Promoting the conservation and wise-use of intertidal wetlands and ecologically-associated habitats Mandate 1. RECALLING that the Conference of Parties has repeatedly addressed, inter alia through Resolutions listed in Annex 1, the pressing need to better promote the conservation and wiseuse of coastal wetlands, in particular intertidal wetlands1 which are areas of special importance yet highly vulnerable; 2. NOTING that Target 6 of Ramsar’s Strategic Plan 2016-21 seeks a significant increase in the areal extent of the Ramsar Site network in particular the inclusion of under-represented types of wetlands; and NOTING ALSO that both shellfish reefs and seagrass beds are under-represented wetlands; 3. AWARE that [all but one coastal country is] Parties[y] to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) [and thus] have adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, of which Targets 5, 6, 11, 12, 14 and 15 are particularly relevant; 1 Intertidal wetlands and ecologically associated habitats include inter-tidal flats, seagrass beds, mangroves, bivalve (shellfish) reefs, and associated coastal habitats ecologically linked to these areas, for example saltpans/salinas, fishponds, area used for aquaculture and mariculture, sewage works, and other habitats used by coastal waterbirds for feeding and roosting. -
Soil Survey of Halifax County, North Carolina
United States In cooperation with Department of North Carolina Department Agriculture of Environment and Soil Survey of Natural Resources, North Carolina Agricultural Halifax County, Research Service, North Carolina Cooperative Natural Extension Service, Fishing North Carolina Resources Creek Soil and Water Conservation Conservation District, and Service Halifax County Board of Commissioners 3 How to Use This Soil Survey General Soil Map The general soil map, which is the color map preceding the detailed soil maps, shows the survey area divided into groups of associated soils called general soil map units. This map is useful in planning the use and management of large areas. To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the map, identify the name of the map unit in the area on the color-coded map legend, then refer to the section General Soil Map Units for a general description of the soils in your area. Detailed Soil Maps The detailed soil maps follow the general soil map. These maps can be useful in planning the use and management of small areas. To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the Index to Map Sheets, which precedes the soil maps. Note the number of the map sheet and turn to that sheet. Locate your area of interest on the map sheet. Note the map units symbols that are in that area. Turn to the Contents, which lists the map units by symbol and name and shows the page where each map unit is described. The Contents shows which table has data on a specific land use for each detailed soil map unit. -
The Ramsar Site Network and Biodiversity Conservation
The Ramsar Site Network and Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity has globally come HE LIST OF WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE AS A under increasing pressure NETWORK OF SIGNIFICANT BIODIVERSITY AREAS. The Ramsar from a range of factors such Convention is the only multilateral environment agreement focused as habitat fragmentation, T on wetlands. The Convention provides a framework for national action and development imperatives and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and global warming. Populations their resources. Entered into force in 1975, the Convention predates the three of several wetland-dependent Rio Conventions - the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations species are declining. The Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Convention Ramsar Convention on to Combat Desertification, and thus is amongst the oldest multilateral Wetlands introduced the environmental agreement. Ramsar List as a mechanism for creating an international Ramsar List is one of the three Convention pillars. The vision for creating this network of wetlands, which List is to ‘develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are when sustainably managed, important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining lead to the conservation of human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes global biodiversity and support and benefits/services’. The Secretariat works with Contracting Parties, human well-being. International Organization Partners (IOPs) and other stakeholders towards As India prepares to add more establishing a national network of Ramsar Sites which represent the diversity of wetlands to the Ramsar List, wetlands and their key hydrological and ecological functions, and contribute to Dr Ritesh Kumar (Director, maintaining global biological diversity through the designation and management Wetlands International South of appropriate wetland sites. -
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Ramsar Convention What Ramsar Is: Who can nominate a site stakeholders associated with the proposed site greatly contribute to • In 1971, an international convention • Any local government, group, the nomination process; and was held in Ramsar, Iran and community, private organization, participants signed a treaty entitled, or landowner can nominate a A completed Ramsar Information “The Convention on Wetlands of site for inclusion on the Ramsar Sheet, is available online at http://bit. International Importance, Especially List of Wetlands of International ly/1HIU7PR as Waterfowl Habitat.” Importance. The Federal government can also nominate sites, such as Nine Criteria for “Wetlands • The Ramsar Convention provides a National Parks, National Forests, or of International Importance” framework for voluntary international National Wildlife Refuges. Designation: cooperation for wetland conservation. A wetland should be considered • A written agreement is required internationally important if it meets • The U.S. acceded to the Ramsar from all landowners and a Member Convention April 18, 1987. any one of the following criteria. The of Congress representing the site: geographic area. What Ramsar Does: 1. contains a representative, rare, • Recognizes wetlands’ importance to Nomination package or unique example of a natural communities, cultures, governments, The petitioner must submit a complete or near-natural wetland type and businesses and encourages nomination package to the Director, found within the appropriate wetland conservation and wise use of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), biogeographic region; or wetlands. 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, with a copy to the Global 2. supports vulnerable, endangered, • Establishes criteria for designating Program, Division of International or critically endangered species rivers, marshes, coral reefs and other Conservation, FWS.