Ramsar

The Ramsar Convention

on Wetlands

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an intergovernmental treaty adopted on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea

The Convention is usually written as "Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)“ but is popularly referred to as the "Ramsar Convention".

The Convention entered into force in 1975 and as of 1 May 2003 has 136 Contracting Parties. More than 1280 wetlands have been designated for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance, covering some 108.7 million hectares (1.87 million km2), more than the surface area of France, Germany, and Switzerland combined.

The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as:

"areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres".

"may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands".

As such the Convention coverage extends to a wide variety of habitat types, including rivers and lakes, coastal lagoons, mangroves, peatlands, and even coral reefs.

Value of wetlands :

Water supply

Wildlife resources

Agriculture

Fisheries (over two thirds of the world’s fish harvest is linked to the health of coastal and inland wetland areas);

Timber production

Energy resources, such as peat and plant matter

Transport

Recreation and tourism opportunities

Why do countries join the Ramsar Convention?

Membership in the Ramsar Convention:

•endorses the principles that the Convention represents, facilitating the development at national level of policies and actions, including legislation that helps nations to make the best possible use of their wetland resources in their quest for sustainable development;

•presents an opportunity for a country to make its voice heard in the principal intergovernmental forum on the conservation and wise use of wetlands;

•brings increased publicity and prestige for the wetlands designated for the List of Wetlands of International Importance, and hence increased possibility of support for conservation and wise use measures;

•brings access to the latest information and advice on application of the Convention’s internationally-accepted standards, such as criteria for identifying wetlands of international importance, guidelines on application of the wise use concept, and guidelines on management planning in wetlands;

•brings access to expert advice on national and site-related problems of wetland conservation and management through contacts with Ramsar Bureau personnel and consultants and through application of the Ramsar Advisory Mission mechanism when appropriate; and

•encourages international cooperation on wetland issues and brings the possibility of support for wetland projects, either through the Convention’s own Small Grants Fund or through the Convention’s contacts with multilateral and bilateral external support agencies.

What are the commitments of Parties joining the Ramsar Convention?

When countries join the Convention, they are enlisting in an international effort to ensure the conservation and wise use of wetlands. The treaty includes four main commitments that the Contracting Parties have agreed to by joining :

1. Listed sites

2. Wise use

3. Reserves and training

4. International cooperation

1. Listed sites

The first obligation under the Convention is to designate at least one wetland for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the "Ramsar List") and to promote its conservation, including, where appropriate, its wise use. Selection for the Ramsar List should be based on the wetland’s significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology, or hydrology. The Contracting Parties have adopted specific criteria and guidelines for identifying sites that qualify for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance.

2. Wise use

Under the Convention there is a general obligation for the Contracting Parties to include wetland conservation considerations in their national land-use planning. They have undertaken to formulate and implement this planning so as to promote, as far as possible, "the wise use of wetlands in their territory" (Article 3.1 of the treaty).

The Conference of the Contracting Parties has approved guidelines and additional guidance on how to achieve "wise use", which has been interpreted as being synonymous with "sustainable use".

3. Reserves and training

Contracting Parties have also undertaken to establish nature reserves in wetlands, whether or not they are included in the Ramsar List, and they are also expected to promote training in the fields of wetland research, management and wardening.

4. International cooperation

Contracting Parties have also agreed to consult with other Contracting Parties about implementation of the Convention, especially in regard to transfrontier wetlands, shared water systems, and shared species.

Over the years, the Conference of the Contracting Parties has interpreted and elaborated upon these four major obligations included within the text of the treaty, and it has developed guidelines for assisting the Parties in their implementation. These guidelines are published in the Ramsar Handbook series.

"Wetlands should be selected for the List of Wetlands of International Importance on account of their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology" and indicates that "in the first instance, wetlands of international importance to waterfowl at any season should be included".

The latest version of the Criteria was adopted by the 7th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties in

1999. The eight criterions were subdivided into two groups:

Group A of the Criteria : Sites containing representative, rare or unique wetland types

Group B of the Criteria : Sites of international importance for conserving biological diversity

Group A of the Criteria. Sites containing representative, rare or unique wetland types

Criterion 1: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region.

Group B of the Criteria. Sites of international importance for conserving biological diversity

Criteria based on species and ecological communities

Criterion 2: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.

Criterion 3: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region.

 Criterion 4: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions.

Specific criteria based on waterbirds

Criterion 5: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.

Criterion 6: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.

Specific criteria based on fish

Criterion 7: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-history stages, species interactions and/or populations that are representative of wetland benefits and/or values and thereby contributes to global biological diversity.

Criterion 8: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere, depend.

Ramsar is part of the Biodiversity Related Conventions together with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention on Migratory Species

(CMS), and the World Heritage Convention

Malaysia

Became one of the members on the 10th March 1995

Designated 5 sites as Wetlands International with a surface area of 55, 355 hectares :

1)Tasik Bera

2)Pulau Kukup

3)Sungai Pulai

4)Tanjung Piai

5)Kuching Wetlands National Park

Tasik Bera

Wetlands designation date : 10.11.1994Coordinates: 02°58'N 102°36'E Area: 38,446 ha Elevation: 30 m - 35 m Location : Bera District, Pahang Darul Makmur, Peninsular Malaysia

Criteria : 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

Known Human Uses: The site and the surrounding buffer zone are owned by the provincial government. It is used for agricultural purposes, fisheries and collection of natural products. The surroundings are used for Government-owned plantation schemes, cattle grazing and forestry.

Biological/Ecological notes:

-374 plant species of which 10 species are known to be endemic to Peninsular Malaysia

-A total of 68 species of mammals have been recorded at Tasek Bera, and bird species include Anthracoceros malayanus, Rhinoplax vigil, Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, Treron capellei, Malacopteron albogulare, Trichastoma rostratum and Platysmurus leucopterus. The rare crocodile Tomistoma schlegelii may remain in small numbers and two vulnerable tortoise species occur. In Tasek Bera threatened mammals include Elephas maximus, Cynogale bennettii, Tapirus indicus, Macaca nemestrina, Neofelis nebulosa, Prionailurus planiceps, Lutra perspicillata, L. sumatrana, Aonyx cinerea, Panthera pardus and P. tigris.

-Threatened bird species recorded include Leptoptilos javanicus, Lophura ignita, L. erythrophthalma and Aceros corrugatus, and

-Tasek Bera supports a high diversity of fish species, 94 have been recorded and the majority of species are indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia. Mass migrations of fish are known to local residents at Tasek Bera, suggesting that the wetland may be significant in providing habitat for part of the life cycle of fish living in the River Pahang system. Threatened fish include Scleropages formosus and Balantiocheilus melanopterus (last recorded here in 1969).

Conservation Measures: Tasek Bera was nominated as Malaysia’s first Ramsar Site in 1994. No development has been permitted within the Ramsar Site area except for the establishment of tourism facilities. The site has been included in the Bera District Structure Plan as an area for conservation and tourism purposes only, and its buffer zone identified for environmental protection and restricted development. A three-year project to support Malaysia in meeting its obligations under the Ramsar Convention was signed with Denmark in 1995 through establishing the integrated management of Tasek Bera. This project commenced in June 1996, with the aim of conserving the biodiversity of Tasek Bera and its catchment area. Wetlands International Asia Pacific is providing technical assistance to the Pahang State Government in implementing the project. In 1998, the State Government had frozen all applications for development projects within the Ramsar Site and in its buffer zone pending the completion the site management plan. As of 1998, the area receives routine monitoring and enforcement attention from fisheries, forestry and wildlife department personnel, and channel clearance is contracted out annually by the Drainage and Irrigation Department to local people.

Pulau Kukup

Wetlands designation date : 31.01.2003Coordinates: 01°19'N 103°25'E Area: 647 ha Elevation: 0 m Location : Pontian District, Johor, Peninsular MalaysiaCriteria : 1, 2, 3

Known Human Uses: The site and its surroundings are owned by the state. Some fishing and tourism activities take place within Pulau Kukup and the government has further plans to promote ecotourism. Research on the mangrove ecosystem is carried out by universities and migratory waterbird counts are done by NGOs. Conservation education is based on local knowledge, complemented by the visitor centre of Tanjung Piai State Park (Ramsar Site #1289). Nature interpretation facilities are planned at the site. The surrounding coastal straits between Pulau Kukup and the mainland are a thriving industry for marine cage culture which depends on the island as natural shelter. The mudflats are rich with shellfish and provide food and income to local people. Ship naviagation and further marine fisheries are ongoing in the site's catchment. Kukup Town benefits from tourism, e.g. offering seafood restaurants, accomodation, and boat tours. Agriculture exists on the outskirts.

Biological/Ecological notes:

- Pulau Kukup represents a unique example of a mangrove island being one of the few intact sites of this rare vegetation type left in southeast Asia.

-The wetland supports species such as the Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus, Smooth Otter Lutra perspicillata, Bearded Pig Sus barbatus, Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis, all listed as threatened, vulnerable or near-threatened under the IUCN Red List, and all, except Sus barbatus, in the CITES list. The site has been identified as one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA) in Malaysia for migrants from North Asia and Russia. Globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus chooses the site as a stop-over, feeding and breeding ground. Numerous waders and shorebirds inhabit the vicinity representing an estimated 20% of the Malaysian population. The Pulau Kukup mangrove forest hosts 18 true mangrove species representing a very high regional biodiversity compared to the island's size.

-Mangroves, creeks and intertidal mudflats are the main habitats that occur in Pulau Kukup and can be grouped into 8 vegetation zones. The mudflats surrounding the island are used by birds as feeding ground. The mangroves host a specific flora adapted to the hostile marine conditions. They are essential for the food chain providing nutrition for many fish species and waterbirds, and they act as nurseries for marine life.

Conservation Measures:

The site is designated as State Park since 1997. The development of a management plan has been agreed between the different management authorities. Pulau Kukup will be conserved and protected as a Ramsar Site, primarily for scientific research, and conservation and wise use of marine biodiversity and resources.

Sungai Pulai

Wetlands designation date : 31.01.2003Coordinates: 01°23'N 103°32'E Area: 9,126 ha Elevation: 0 mLocation : Pontian District, Johor, Peninsular MalaysiaCriteria : 1, 2, 3

Known Human Uses: The site and its surroundings are owned by the state. Some fishing and tourism activities take place within Pulau Kukup and the government has further plans to promote ecotourism. Research on the mangrove ecosystem is carried out by universities and migratory waterbird counts are done by NGOs. Conservation education is based on local knowledge, complemented by the visitor centre of Tanjung Piai State Park (Ramsar Site #1289). Nature interpretation facilities are planned at the site. The surrounding coastal straits between Pulau Kukup and the mainland are a thriving industry for marine cage culture which depends on the island as natural shelter. The mudflats are rich with shellfish and provide food and income to local people. Ship naviagation and further marine fisheries are ongoing in the site's catchment. Kukup Town benefits from tourism, e.g. offering seafood restaurants, accomodation, and boat tours. Agriculture exists on the outskirts.

Biological/Ecological notes:

-Sungai Pulai is a typical representative of a tidal dominated estuarine mangrove swamp. It is assumed to be the largest and most intact riverine mangrove system in West Malaysia. There are four main vegetation types present: Avicennia, Rhizophora-Bruguiera and Luminitzera-Scyphiphora forests, as well as dryland mangroves. Mangrove species include Avicennia lanata, Bruguiera sexangula and Podocarpus polystachus; they are in a healthy condition and reproduce well. The surroundings are dominated by extensive low lying wetlands with mangrove swamps, mudflats and an isolated mountain peak.

-The lowland tropical river basin supports a rich biodiversity, e.g. 24 mangrove species, 21 mangrove associated species, and 7 amphibian, 12 reptile, 55 bird, 26 mammal and 111 fish species, some species being IUCN red-listed.

-The tall mangrove trees are important nesting sites for the Grey Heron, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Serpent Eagle, Little Egret and presumably the Lesser Adjutant. Five migratory bird species rest and feed in the mudflats while enroute the East Asian-Australasian Migratory Flyway : the Great White Egret, Pacific Golden Plover, Common Greenshank, Common Kingfisher and Black-capped Kingfisher.

Near-threatened or vulnerable mammals includes the Long-tailed and Pig-tailed Macaque, Smooth Otter, Bearded Pig, Common Porcupine, Scaly Anteater, the rare Flat-headed Cat occur, as well as the near-threatened birds Mangrove Pitta, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher and Mangrove Whistler. Relatively undisturbed parts including the Nipa swamps may be nesting sites of the Estuarine Crocodile.

-The site supports a significant number of aquatic species (111 fish, 22 shellfish, 3 crab and 15 penaeid prawn species) in different life-history stages as it is an ideal fish and prawn nursery and feeding ground. Some marine crabs require mangrove stilt, prop roots and mudflats; shellfish require the soft mud of the mangrove forest floor; and some young fish and prawns require the estuary's brackish water, shelter and food. Four prawn species and the catfish eel Plotosus canius migrate from the upper part to the estuary and finally spawn in the open sea. Fish species of high economic value include Epinephalus tauvina, Lates calarifer, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, L. johnii, Polynemus indicus, Eleutheronoma tetradactylum, Pampus argenteus and Pomadasys hasta. All the 15 prawn species may be considered species of commercial importance.

Conservation Measures:

The site is designated as Forest Reserve and managed in line with an Integrated Management Plan for the sustainable use of mangroves in Johor state.

Tanjung Piai

Wetlands designation date : 31.01.2003Coordinates: 01°16'N 103°31'E Area: 526 ha Elevation: 0 mLocation : Pontian District, Johor, Peninsular MalaysiaCriteria : 2, 8

Known Human Uses: The site is owned by the state; its surroundings are privately owned. Around 6 villages are located at the site's fringe which depend on the mangrove resources, especially on fisheries. Eco-tourism activities include a visitor centre with interpretative boardwalks, bird watching, guided tours (e.g. for school children), a World Wetlands Day programme. The Tanjung Piai Resort provides floating chalets, seafood restaurants, as well as boat rides. Research also takes place. The catchment area is used for agriculture and habitation.

Biological/Ecological notes:

-Main habitats are coastal mangroves which buffer the hinterland and are dissected by 5 small rivers, and 400 ha of mudflats. The species' diversity and abundance is relatively high. A vegetation zonation occurs with an Avicennia-Sonneratia community on the seaward sediments with soft, deep mud, and Rhizophora-Bruguiera forests on firmer soils. Noteworthy are the 20 true mangrove- and 9 mangrove associated-species.

-Tanjung Piai supports many threatened, near threatened and vulnerable wetland-dependent species such as the Macaques Macaca nemestrina and M. fascicularis.The Scaly Anteater, Common Porcupine, Smooth Otter and Bearded Pig are classified as vulnerable or near threatened listed in the IUCN Red Book 2000. Many fish and penaeid prawn species rely on the site. The small estuaries are used as feeding and nursery ground which is essential for marine life of the Straits of Melaka and for local fishermen.

-Birds include the raptors Brahminy Kite, Osprey and Crested Serpent-eagle, as well as 8 species of waders and shorebirds. Threatened, near threatened and vulnerable wetland-dependent species of birds includes Mangrove Pitta, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Mangrove Whistler, Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii, Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus, and Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. The Chinese Crested Tern Sterna bernsteini is critically endangered. Globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant Leptotilos javanicus may be observed in the vicinity of the site.

-Juvenile fish dominate the catch in the four main rivers. Adults of commercially valuable fish are the Sea Bass Lates calcarifer, Snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus and L. johni, threadfins Polynemus indicus and Eleutheronema tetradactylum, Tarpon Megalops cyprinoides, White Pomphret Pampus argenteus and Head Grunter Pomadasys hasta. Other common species include the Catfish Arius spp., Plotosus spp., Mullets Liza spp. and Jewfish/sciaenids. Most abundant are the Clupeids (Anodontostoma chacunda, Ilisha megaloptera), Ambassids, Engraulids (Stolephorus, Thryssa, Anchovies) and Leiognatids, which serve as food for large carnivores such as Sea Basses and Snappers. Sonneratia fireflies attract visitors.

Conservation Measures:

The site has been designated as a State Park. Management focusses on tourism and conservation. A management plan is planned

Kuching Wetlands National Park

Wetlands designation date : 8.11.2005Coordinates: 01°41'N 110°14'E Area: 6,610 ha Elevation: 0 mLocation : Kuching, East Malaysia

Known Human Uses: The area is historically important: there was a Chinese settlement there probably as early as the 1st century AD, and early Malay, Hindu and Buddhist relics from the 9th century AD have been excavated at Santubong Village. The discovery of gold made the area an important trading and iron mining centre from the 7th to 13th centuries; some enigmatic rock carvings of human figures remain from this period. In the 15th century, Santubong was the site of the original Brunei Malay capital of Sarawak. Its proximity to the city of Kuching, the Damai resort complex, and two other national parks renders it of high potential value for tourism, education and recreation..

Biological/Ecological notes:

-A saline mangrove system with flora comprising predominantly the genera Rhizophora, Avicennia and Sonneratia.

-The site harbours such noteworthy species as Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus, Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus (endemic to Borneo and listed as 'Endangered', IUCN Red List), Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus ('Vulnerable'), and Griffith's Silver Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus villosus.

-The site has value as a breeding and nursery ground for fish and prawn species - 43 families of fishes and 11 species of prawns have been recorded, many of which are commercially important.

Thank you