What is a Ramsar site? | Mongabay Explains

Summary

Wetlands like Paracas National Reserve in Peru and Bay National Marine Park in Mexico are vital ecosystems that retain carbon and support diverse wildlife. Despite their importance, they face severe threats, disappearing three times faster than forests. The Ramsar Convention, established in 1971, aims to conserve wetlands, with 2,388 protected sites covering over 253 million hectares globally. Countries like the UK and Mexico have the most Ramsar sites, but wetlands are still declining, with fish, birds, and turtles dependent on them facing extinction, particularly in tropical regions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Wetlands like Paracas National Reserve (Peru), Bay National Marine Park (Mexico), and Lake Banyoles (Spain) are all Ramsar sites.
• 😀 Ramsar sites are designated wetland areas that are protected under an international treaty to conserve them.
• 😀 Wetlands play a critical role in retaining carbon, making them crucial for mitigating climate change.
• 😀 Wetlands support diverse wildlife, including birds, reptiles, mammals, fish, amphibians, and plants.
• 😀 Despite their ecological importance, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests.
• 😀 In the 1970s, the Ramsar Convention was established to conserve wetlands, with 18 countries initially joining.
• 😀 Ramsar sites are protected by countries’ governments through measures such as management plans and scientific research.
• 😀 As of now, there are 2,388 Ramsar sites worldwide, covering over 253 million hectares of land.
• 😀 The United Kingdom and Mexico have the most Ramsar sites, with 173 and 142, respectively.
• 😀 The largest Ramsar sites include Tumba-Ngiri-Maindombe (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Queen Maud Gulf (Canada), each covering over six million hectares.
• 😀 Between 1970 and 2015, 35% of continental, marine, and coastal wetlands drastically decreased, and many species relying on them are at risk of extinction.

Q & A

What is the common feature shared by Paracas National Reserve, Bay National Marine Park, Lomas Bay, and Lake Banyoles?

They are all wetlands and Ramsar sites.

What are Ramsar sites?

Ramsar sites are wetlands that are designated for protection under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty aimed at conserving wetlands.

Why should wetlands be protected?

Wetlands play a crucial role in retaining carbon and support biodiversity by providing habitats for various species, including birds, reptiles, mammals, fish, amphibians, and plants.

How much faster are wetlands disappearing compared to forests?

Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests.

When was the Ramsar Convention established and what was its purpose?

The Ramsar Convention was established in 1971 with the purpose of conserving wetlands globally.

How many countries initially joined the Ramsar Convention?

Eighteen countries joined the Ramsar Convention when it was first established.

How many Ramsar sites are currently protected around the world?

As of now, there are 2,388 Ramsar sites protected worldwide.

Which countries have the most Ramsar sites?

The United Kingdom has the most Ramsar sites, with 173, followed by Mexico with 142.

What are the largest Ramsar sites in the world?

The largest Ramsar sites are Tumba-Ngiri-Maindombe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Queen Maud Gulf in Canada, both containing over six million hectares.

What is the status of wetlands and species dependent on them?

Despite efforts to protect wetlands, they remain under threat. Between 1970 and 2015, 35% of wetlands were lost, and one-quarter of species that depend on wetlands, like fish, aquatic birds, and turtles, are at risk of extinction.