The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: Has It been Effective in Sub-Saharan Africa? Ellis E. Adams and Mary Durfee

Department of Social SciencesMichigan Technological University

The Ramsar ConventionIn response to massive degradation of wetland habitats coupled

with resultant decline in migratory bird populations in Europe,

The Ramsar Convention on wetlands came into force in 1975

as the first international treaty aimed at the conservation of

natural resources. The overarching objective of the convention

emphasizes conservation and wise use of wetlands through

local, regional, national, and international cooperation.

Has it been Effective?The Ramsar Convention on wetlands has succeeded largely in

curbing wetland degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa. 24 (75%) of the

30 SSA countries have a written wetlands policy. 26 (81%) have

established administrative authorities in charge of monitoring and

evaluation of wetlands. 17 (57%) reported either stable or improved

ecological state of existing wetlands while 13 (43%) reported adverse

ecological changes on existing wetlands.

IntroductionThe Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as variety of habitats

such as marshes, peatlands, floodplains, rivers, salt marshes,

mangroves, coral reefs, and marine areas no deeper than 6

meters at low tide. Although wetlands make up only 9% of the

earth’s total land area, they are important ecosystems useful for

flood protection, water purification, carbon and nutrient storage,

water and fish supply, water table maintenance, and recreation.

However, their ecological integrity has been threatened by

anthropogenic disturbances such as agriculture, land-use,

urbanization, water diversions, invasive species, mining, waste

disposal, and different forms of water pollution.

MethodsWe used a database of reports submitted by 30 Sub-Saharan

Africa member states to the Ramsar Convention. We selected

four important indicators (existing wetland policy, wetlands

inventory, ecological state of wetlands, and administrative

wetlands authority). We coded country responses to the

indicators into numbers and used the numbers to compute and

rank percentage compliance of the SSA countries

ConclusionsThe Ramsar Convention on wetlands has achieved considerable

progress towards wise use of wetlands through sustainable based

practices. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it has achieved significant success

towards curbing the rate of wetland degradation. The successes can

be attributed in part to the mandatory triennial report required by the

Ramsar secretariat and increased educational awareness. There is

also greater international community and stakeholder collaboration.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, much like most developing regions, the

challenges to the convention’s effectiveness are poverty, increased

agriculture, urbanization, population growth and political instability.

.

Habitat for migratory birds Flood control

Livelihood dependence Biodiversity conservation

Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland

Okavango delta, the largest wetland in Africa

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