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Framework for describing the ecological character of Ramsar wetlandsSearch fields
Description and method logicMethod purposeThe framework is intended to guide the preparation of an ecological character description for a Ramsar wetland.
SummaryA framework has been developed to assist Ramsar site managers meet the requirements of the Ramsar Convention and the Australian Ramsar Management Principles (Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservations (EPBC) Act (1999)). The framework provides background information on how to identify, describe and assess the ecological character, of a Ramsar site, including guidance on interpreting terms and addressing Ramsar Convention and Australian Government requirements.
The framework builds on previous work to develop a strategic approach to the description of ecological character that focuses on the ecosystem components and processes that support the most significant ecosystem services, primarily those that relate to the Ramsar criteria for which the site is listed. Method logicTo be included in Ramsar, a wetland must meet at least one of six criteria: biogeographic representativeness, important ecological or hydrological functions, provision of animal habitat during times of vulnerability or adverse conditions, support for more than 1% of national population of any taxa, support for any threatened taxa or communities; and historical or cultural significance.
The Ramsar Convention defines ecological character as the sum of the biological, physical and chemical components of the wetland ecosystem, and their interactions, which maintain the wetland and its products, functions, and attributes. This framework adapts the wetland ecosystem services from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Ramsar Convention to equate specific services to the products, functions and attributes in the ecological character. It sets out a series of steps to preparing an ECD: 1. Introduction to the description 2. Describe the site 3. Identify and describe the critical components, processes and services 4. Develop conceptual models 5. Set limits of acceptable change 6. Identify threats to the ecological character of the site 7. Describe what constitutes changes to ecological character 8. Summarise the knowledge gaps 9. Identify site monitoring needs 10. Identify communication and education strategies 11. Complete ECD. Criteria groupings of the method
Criteria are based on the Ramsar criteria. A wetland should be considered internationally important if it:
Data requiredPublished and informal literature relating to the components, processes and services/benefits of the site, including threats.
Resources requiredExpertise requiredStakeholders and experts.
Materials requiredRamsar Information Sheet, site management plan, other published and informal information on the site,
Method outputsOutputsThis methodology is used to produce formal descriptions of the ecological character of a Ramsar site. The ECD is a rigorous assessment of the ecosystem components, processes and benefits/services of a site at the time of listing. It forms the basis against which any changes at the site can be assessed for significance.
Uses
The ECD’s can be used to support the requirements of the Ramsar Convention to maintain the ecological character of Ramsar sites and inform:
Criteria by category
Physical and chemicalEconomicSocio-culturalSignificanceFloraFaunaReviewRecommended userAustralian and Queensland governments, local government authorities, regional NRM groups, wetland site owners and landholders, non-government organisations, environmental industry and consultancies, agribusiness, research and tertiary institutions, regional and local wetland centres, and indigenous interest groups.
Strengths
Limitations
Case studiesLinks
References
Last updated: 7 February 2019 This page should be cited as: Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2019) Framework for describing the ecological character of Ramsar wetlands, WetlandInfo website, accessed 30 August 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/resources/tools/assessment-search-tool/framework-for-describing-the-ecological-character-of-ramsar-wetlands/ |