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The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: Has It been Effective in Sub-Saharan Africa? Ellis E. Adams and Mary Durfee
Department of Social SciencesMichigan Technological University
The Ramsar ConventionIn response to massive degradation of wetland habitats coupled
with resultant decline in migratory bird populations in Europe,
The Ramsar Convention on wetlands came into force in 1975
as the first international treaty aimed at the conservation of
natural resources. The overarching objective of the convention
emphasizes conservation and wise use of wetlands through
local, regional, national, and international cooperation.
Has it been Effective?The Ramsar Convention on wetlands has succeeded largely in
curbing wetland degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa. 24 (75%) of the
30 SSA countries have a written wetlands policy. 26 (81%) have
established administrative authorities in charge of monitoring and
evaluation of wetlands. 17 (57%) reported either stable or improved
ecological state of existing wetlands while 13 (43%) reported adverse
ecological changes on existing wetlands.
IntroductionThe Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as variety of habitats
such as marshes, peatlands, floodplains, rivers, salt marshes,
mangroves, coral reefs, and marine areas no deeper than 6
meters at low tide. Although wetlands make up only 9% of the
earth’s total land area, they are important ecosystems useful for
flood protection, water purification, carbon and nutrient storage,
water and fish supply, water table maintenance, and recreation.
However, their ecological integrity has been threatened by
anthropogenic disturbances such as agriculture, land-use,
urbanization, water diversions, invasive species, mining, waste
disposal, and different forms of water pollution.
MethodsWe used a database of reports submitted by 30 Sub-Saharan
Africa member states to the Ramsar Convention. We selected
four important indicators (existing wetland policy, wetlands
inventory, ecological state of wetlands, and administrative
wetlands authority). We coded country responses to the
indicators into numbers and used the numbers to compute and
rank percentage compliance of the SSA countries
ConclusionsThe Ramsar Convention on wetlands has achieved considerable
progress towards wise use of wetlands through sustainable based
practices. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it has achieved significant success
towards curbing the rate of wetland degradation. The successes can
be attributed in part to the mandatory triennial report required by the
Ramsar secretariat and increased educational awareness. There is
also greater international community and stakeholder collaboration.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, much like most developing regions, the
challenges to the convention’s effectiveness are poverty, increased
agriculture, urbanization, population growth and political instability.
.
Habitat for migratory birds Flood control
Livelihood dependence Biodiversity conservation
Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland
Okavango delta, the largest wetland in Africa
ReferencesBrinson M. M (2002). Temperate and freshwater wetlands: Types, status, and threats. Environmental Conservation 29 (2), 115-133Rodriguez I.D. V. (2004). The Ramsar Convention and water birds in the Neotropics. Ornithologia Neotropical, 15, 445-454Zedler J.B and Kercher S (2005). Global wetland resources: Status,ecosystem services and restorability. Environment and Resources, 30, 39-74Mwakaje A.G (2009). Wetlands, livelihoods and sustainability in Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology, 47,179-184