Ramsar Wetlands

Values, Assessment, Management

1st Edition - July 1, 2023
Editors: Peter Gell, Nick Davidson, Max Finlayson
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 1 7 8 0 3 - 4
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 1 7 8 0 4 - 1

Ramsar Wetlands: Values, Assessment, Management addresses the approaches, successes and limitations of the Ramsar Convention in a changing world, how recent approaches to wetland m… Read more

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Ramsar Wetlands: Values, Assessment, Management addresses the approaches, successes and limitations of the Ramsar Convention in a changing world, how recent approaches to wetland monitoring and management can contribute to improving wetland state, what the future holds for wetlands and their wise use, and what the Ramsar Convention needs to do to achieve future successes. The book presents a unique outlook on a range of issues, addressing considerable advances in our understanding of wetlands, their great environmental, social, cultural and economic importance, their role in maintaining the global water-cycle, and in mitigating and adapting to changing climates.

No other book has yet taken this broad look at the past, present and future of wetlands and the Ramsar Convention. From aquatic ecologists, environmental scientists and engineers, to water resource managers, conservation agencies, and land management planners, this comprehensive guide is a beneficial tool in understanding wetlands.

Cover
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Contributors
Authors’ biography
Foreword
Preface
References
About the editors
1: An introduction to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Abstract
1.1: The convention
1.2: The status of the world’s wetlands
1.3: Issues for the future of the convention and the world’s wetlands
1.4: Planning for the next 50 years
1.5: This volume
References
2: Ramsar Convention governance and processes at the international level
Abstract
2.1: Introduction
2.2: Decision-making bodies
2.3: Administrative body
2.4: Scientific advisory body
2.5: International Organisation Partners
2.6: Strategic plans
2.7: Evaluating the success of implementation
2.8: Conclusions
References
3: Ramsar at the national level: Application and incorporation into domestic law
Abstract
3.1: Introduction
3.2: The three pillars
3.3: Incorporation of Ramsar Convention obligations in national law and policy
3.4: The Ramsar Convention as impetus for broader domestic wetland laws and policies
3.5: Conclusion
References
Further reading
4: The extent and distribution of the world’s wetlands
Abstract
4.1: Introduction
4.2: The global area of all wetlands
4.3: Global areas of inland, marine/coastal, and human-made wetlands
4.4: Global areas of different wetland classes
4.5: Regional distribution of all wetlands and different wetland classes
4.6: Wetland area estimates—Needs, gaps, and issues
4.7: Conclusions
References
Further reading
5: The distribution of the world’s internationally important wetlands and their contribution to global protected area goals and Aichi Biodiversity Target 11
Abstract
5.1: Introduction
5.2: Wetland types
5.3: Designation criteria
5.4: Contribution to Aichi Target 11
5.5: Discussion
Appendix 1. Ramsar wetland types and codes
Appendix 2. Freshwater Ecoregions Identification (ECO ID) and description and Major Habitat Type Number (MHT No) and description without Ramsar Sites as of 22 September 2020
References
Further reading
6: Linking wetland ecological processes with the delivery of ecosystem services
Abstract
6.1: Introduction
6.2: Hydrological dynamics
6.3: Biotic dynamics
6.4: Biogeochemical dynamics
6.5: Conclusions
References
7: Ecosystem services
Abstract
7.1: What are ecosystem services?
7.2: Ecosystem services and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
7.3: What value do ecosystem services provide?
7.4: Who receives the benefits of wetland ecosystem services?
7.5: How to assess ecosystem services—Tools and techniques
7.6: The future—How to mainstream ecosystem services
References
8: The response of wetlands to long-term climate change
Abstract
8.1: Introduction
8.2: Climate cycles
8.3: Present and future climates in the context of the past
8.4: Climate variability, natural ecological character, and limits to acceptable change
8.5: Conclusion
References
9: What’s happening to the world’s wetlands?
Abstract
9.1: Introduction
9.2: Wetland area change—Natural and human-made
9.3: Ecological character state and trends of remaining wetlands
9.4: Trends in wetland-dependent species and populations
9.5: Understanding change in wetland ecological character
9.6: Deciding appropriate baseline and reference states for ecological character assessment
9.7: Discussion
References
Further reading
10: Cultural landscapes: Human impacts on wetlands
Abstract
Acknowledgements
10.1: Introduction
10.2: The impact of people on wetlands—The long-term perspective
10.3: Identifying wetland condition relative to the past
10.4: Summary: Wetlands as cultural landscapes
References
11: What’s driving wetland loss and degradation?
Abstract
11.1: Introduction
11.2: Direct drivers of change in wetlands
11.3: Indirect drivers of change
11.4: Megatrends
11.5: Assessment of drivers of change
11.6: Discussion and conclusions
References
12: Wetland monitoring: Understanding variability and change in ecological condition
Abstract
Acknowledgements
12.1: Introduction and definitions
12.2: Goals of monitoring of wetland ecological character
12.3: Variables and processes to monitor
12.4: Challenges and opportunities
References
13: Trajectories in wetland condition: Setting limits of acceptable change
Abstract
13.1: Introduction
13.2: Ramsar terms and context
13.3: Limits of acceptable change
13.4: Incorporating trajectories
13.5: Conclusion
References
14: Management effectiveness of wetland-protected areas
Abstract
14.1: Introduction: Policy for managing wetlands
14.2: The management process
14.3: Wetland protected areas
14.4: What is management effectiveness?
14.5: Tools for tracking management effectiveness in wetlands
14.6: Management effectiveness for Ramsar sites
14.7: Lessons learnt from wetland-protected area management effectiveness
14.8: Wetland management effectiveness: The big picture
14.9: Managing wetlands as socio-ecological systems
14.10: Conclusions
References
Further reading
15: Investing in wetland restoration: Practical guidance and looking ahead
Abstract
Acknowledgements
15.1: Introduction to wetland restoration
15.2: Need for wetland restoration
15.3: Practitioner guidance
15.4: Looking ahead
References
16: Human culture and its evolving place in the Ramsar Convention
Abstract
Acknowledgements
16.1: Wetlands in culture and culture in wetlands
16.2: Culture in formal Ramsar texts and obligations
16.3: The Ramsar Culture Network
16.4: Documenting culture in Ramsar’s information systems
16.5: Key collaborations
16.6: Culture and environmental sustainability
References
17: International governance of water for wetland conservation
Abstract
17.1: Introduction
17.2: Wetland and water-related definitions
17.3: State of the waters
17.4: International governance of wetlands
17.5: Discussion and conclusions: International water governance for wetlands
Annex 1. Case study: Amazon Cooperation Treaty vis-à-vis other water agreements and customary international law
References
18: Climate change and wetlands: Vulnerability, adaptation, mitigation, resolutions, and scientific societies
Abstract
18.1: Introduction
18.2: Climate change as a driver of change in wetlands
18.3: Impact of climate change on wetlands
18.4: Vulnerability of wetlands to climate change
18.5: Wetlands and mitigation of climate change
18.6: Adaptation to the impacts of climate change
18.7: Ramsar Convention decisions on climate change
18.8: Climate change initiatives from scientific societies
References
Further reading
19: Wetlands as social–ecological systems: Bridging nature and society
Abstract
19.1: Introduction
19.2: Wetlands as coupled social–ecological systems
19.3: Understanding change in wetland systems—The role of values and worldviews
19.4: Wetland wise use—A social–ecological systems interpretation
19.5: Applying the social–ecological systems approach
19.6: Conclusions and future directions
References
Further reading
20: Wetlands and future change—Implications and opportunities with the Ramsar Convention
Abstract
20.1: Introduction
20.2: How will the world’s wetlands change?
20.3: How might the Ramsar Convention respond?
20.4: Last words
References
Glossary
Index

Peter Gell

Professor Gell is a paleoecologist who examines change in the condition of wetlands over culturally relevant timelines. He has a particular interest in contributing to a better understanding of natural ecological character under the Ramsar Convention. He specialises in the use of diatoms as indicators of present, and past, river and lake condition, particularly in coastal systems and across Australia's Murray Darling Basin. An emerging interest is the use of paleoecological approaches to reveal past instances of regimes shifts and tipping points in wetland ecosystems. He also continues his interests in the use of birds as indicators of ecosystem health. Professor Gell has written over 140 journal articles, books, book chapters and reports, is a member of the Scientific Steering Committee of the Future Earth Global Change Project PAGES (Past Global Changes) and leads its ‘Aquatic Transitions’ working group.

Affiliations and expertise

Emeritus Professor, Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Australia

Nick Davidson

Professor Nick Davidson is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Australia, and an independent consultant on wetland conservation and wise use. His work focusses on improving the science knowledge-base for policy-relevance and decision-making at national and international scales and the implementation of wetland wise use. His current research interests focus on wetland status and trends and the status, migrations and ecophysiology of migratory waterbirds. Nick was the Deputy Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands from 2000 to 2014, with overall responsibility for the Convention's global development and delivery of scientific, technical and policy guidance and advice and communications, as the Convention Secretariat’s senior advisor on these matters. Prior to his Ramsar Convention post he worked for the UK's national government conservation agencies on coastal wetland inventory, assessment, information systems and communications, and as International Science Coordinator for the global NGO Wetlands International. He currently chairs the Society of Wetland Scientists’ (SWS) Ramsar Section, is an SWS International Fellow and an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Water & Environmental Management (CIWEM).

Affiliations and expertise

Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia Nick Davidson Environmental, United Kingdom

Max Finlayson

Professor Max Finlayson is an internationally renowned wetland ecologist with extensive experience internationally in water pollution, mining and agricultural impacts, invasive species, climate change, and human well-being and wetlands. He has participated in global assessments such as those conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, and the Global Environment Outlook 4 & 5 (UNEP). Since the early 1990s he has been a technical adviser to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and has written extensively on wetland ecology and management. He has also been actively involved in environmental NGOs and from 2002 - 07 was President of the governing council of global NGO Wetlands International. He is currently on the scientific committee of the International Lake Environment Committee. Professor Finlayson has contributed to over 400 journal articles, reports, guidelines, proceedings and book chapters on wetland ecology and management. He has contributed to the development of concepts and methods for wetland inventory, assessment and monitoring, and undertaken many site-based assessments in many countries.

Affiliations and expertise

Institute for Water Education, IHE Delft, Netherlands Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water & Environment, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia