Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Semester
Although wetlands can sometimes be difficult to define, the student team presented the distinguishing features of a wetland which include the presence of standing water, a unique type of soil, and vegetation that is adapted to saturated soils. Wetlands are a vital part of our ecosystem as they provide important ecological as well as other services. Wetlands are being degraded from human activities such as aquaculture, agriculture, human development, and public perception. The implications of losing the ecological and economic services that wetlands provide are vast and include decreased ecological integrity and services such as shoreline erosion, loss of storm protection services, and a decrease in natural barriers against extreme weather. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands seeks the conservation and wise use of wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation in order to achieve sustainable development throughout the world. Throughout their presentation, the team addressed how to solve the problems of habitat degradation, pollution, and loss of storm protection through implementing a wise use framework, increasing international cooperation, and cross border resources management.