Wetland Ecosystems in Developing Countries

A simple definition of wetlands:

Wetlands are ecosystems whose formation, processes and characteristics are determined by water.

Another definition of wetlands

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Under the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran 1971), wetlands are defined as follows: Article 1.1: ?areas of marsh, fen, peat land 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.? and Article 2.1: ?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.?

What is RAMSAR?

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RAMSAR is The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. It is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 138 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1314 wetland sites, totaling 111 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

ACTION

This web site has been created as a brief introduction to the Wetlands of Developing countries.  

On this page and the following pages will be some snippets of information and links to other pages with more detailed information.  

RESOURCES

This page was last updated on 19-10-2003.

MEDIA

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