A review of the adequacy of reporting to the Ramsar Convention on change in the ecological character of wetlands
N. C. Davidson
A B J , L. Dinesen C , S. Fennessy D , C. M. Finlayson B E , P. Grillas F , A. Grobicki G , R. J. McInnes B H and D. A. Stroud I
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Nick Davidson Environmental, Queens House, Ford Street, Wigmore, HR6 9UN, UK.
B Institute for Land, Water & Society, Charles Sturt University, Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, PO Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.
C Natural History Museum of Denmark, Section of Biodiversity, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Building 3, 3rd floor, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
D Kenyon College, Biology Department, 202 North College Road, Gambier, OH 43022, USA.
E IHE Delft, Institute for Water Education, PO Box 3015, NL-2601 DA Delft, Netherlands.
F Tour du Valat, Research Institute for Mediterranean wetlands, Le Sambuc, F-13200 Arles, France.
G Green Climate Fund, Songdo Business District, 175 Art Center-daero Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22004, South Korea.
H RM Wetlands & Environment Ltd, 6 Ladman Villas, Littleworth, Oxfordshire, SN7 8EQ, UK.
I Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough, PE1 1JY, UK.
J Corresponding author. Email: arenaria.interpres@gmail.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 71(1) 117-126 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18328
Submitted: 2 September 2018 Accepted: 27 April 2019 Published: 3 December 2019
Abstract
We review the mechanisms established by the Ramsar Convention for reporting on the status and change in the ecological character of wetlands. We assess the extent of their implementation and compliance, but not issues of the adequacy of their design nor the consequences of their extent of implementation. We conclude that, with the exception of qualitative national-scale reporting in triennial Contracting Party National Reports, there is inadequate implementation and compliance with most of these mechanisms, notably concerning required reporting under Article 3.2 of the Convention and the updating of the Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS). This limits the ability of the Convention to assess the status, and trends in status, of designated Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), and to inform future decision-making and priority-setting for the wise use of all wetlands. As has been recognised by the Ramsar Convention, unless compliance with these mechanisms is improved, sufficient information will not be gathered through the mechanisms of Ramsar Convention to assess fully the Sustainable Development Goal 6.6.1 indicator supported by the Convention on change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time.
Additional keywords: compliance, ecological character, Ramsar Sites, reporting mechanisms, Sustainable Development Goals, wetland assessment.
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