Ramsar Wetlands

Ramsar Wetlands include sites of ecological significance which are protected and managed under the Ramsar Convention of 1971. The wetlands serve a vital role in conserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change and utilizing resources in a sustainable way. At present, a total of 172 countries have joined the convention to protect these areas.

For further information on Ramsar Wetlands → About the Ramsar Convention →

Significance

• Wetlands are key in maintaining ecological balance and enabling sustainable coexistence between humans and nature. Since they are difficult to restore once damaged, systematic protection and management are essential.

  Ramsar Wetlands play vital roles in a variety of aspects, as below

   

  Conservation of biodiversity

  - Providing habitats for diverse plants and animals including endangered species
  - Serving as critical stopover points and breeding grounds for migratory birds along migration routes

  Climate change mitigation & disaster risk reduction

  - Contributing to reduction of greenhouse gases by absorbing/storing carbon
  - Supporting water resource security by regulating flood waters and replenishing groundwater supplies

  Sustainable resource use & community development

  - Creating economic value through ecotourism and wetland-based industries
  - Supporting sustainable fisheries and agriculture

Designation Criteria

• To be considered internationally important, a wetland should meet at least one of the following nine criteria

  1

  Contain a representative, rare, or unique example of a wetland type

  • - Include a representative, rare or unique example of a wetland type within the appropriate biogeographic region

  2

  Conserve biological diversity and habitats

  • - Support vulnerable, endangered species or ecological communities
  • - Support populations of plant and/or animal species and maintain biological diversity
  • - Support plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles

  3

  Protect bird and fish species

  • - Regularly support 20,000 or more water birds
  • - Support 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbirds
  • - Support a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, and contribute to global biological diversity
  • - Provide an important source of food for fish, spawning ground and/or nursery

  4

  Protect other taxa

  • - Regularly support 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies

  For further information on the criteria for designation as a Ramsar Site → For further information on the designation process for Ramsar Sites →

Ramsar Wetlands around the World

• There are currently 2,532 Ramsar Sites around the world with a total of 172 countries joining the Ramsar Convention. They cover 2,579,092.86 km2 (257,909,286 ha), together making up the world’s most widely distributed Internationally Designated Areas.

  Go to the list of Ramsar Wetlands →

Relevant Websites

• - Korea

  • Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia

    

    Go to site

  
  

• -Overseas

  • Ramsar Secretariat (The Convention on Wetlands)

    

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