The Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental environmental treaty established in 1971 by UNESCO, and coming into force in 1975. It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources.
Ramsar identifies wetlands of international importance, especially those providing waterfowl habitat.
In 2016 there are 2,231 Ramsar Sites, protecting 214,936,005 hectares (531,118,440 acres). 169 national governments are currently participating.
Ramsar sites of international importance
Site listings
The Ramsar sites are recorded on the List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance,
The non-profit organisation Wetlands International provides access to the Ramsar database via the Ramsar Sites Information Service.
Classification
The Ramsar Classification System for Wetland Type is a wetland classification developed within the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands intended as a means for fast identification of the main types of wetlands for the purposes of the Convention.
Marine/coastal wetlands
Saline water:
Permanent:
(A) Permanent shallow marine waters: Less than 6m deep at low tide; including sea bays and straits
(B) Marine subtidal aquatic beds: Underwater vegetation; including kelp beds and sea grass beds, and tropical marine meadows
(C) Coral Reefs
Shores:
(D) Rocky marine shores
(E) Sand, shingle or pebble shores
Saline or brackish water:
Intertidal:
(G) Intertidal mud, sand or salt flats
(H) Intertidal marshes
(I) Intertidal forested wetlands
Lagoons:
(J) Coastal brackish/saline lagoons
Estuarine waters:
(F) Estuarine waters
Saline, brackish, or fresh water:
Subterranean:
(Zk(a)) Karst and other Subterranean hydrological systems
