Ramsarområdene

Ramsarområdene, also known as Ramsar sites, are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This convention, adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The designation of a wetland as a Ramsar site signifies a commitment by the contracting party to maintain its ecological character and to ensure its wise use. Wise use refers to the maintenance of ecological character, by management interventions, which may be at variance with the maintenance of that ecological character in the long term.

These sites are chosen for their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology, or hydrology. They play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, providing essential ecosystem services such as water purification and flood control, and serving as critical habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife. Countries that are parties to the Ramsar Convention nominate wetlands within their territory for inclusion on the Ramsar List. Each Ramsar site is expected to be managed in a way that conserves its natural condition and ecological processes. The Ramsar Convention encourages the establishment of nature reserves at Ramsar sites and the facilitation of their study and research.