Culture and wetlands: a Ramsar guidance document

This document has its origins in Resolutions VIII.19 i IX.21 passed at the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar in 1971 that refer above all to the incorporation of cultural aspects into the management of wetlands along side care of the biological diversity in these natural areas.

The first part of the document deals specifically with nature and culture and multilateral environmental agreements, as well as more general aspects relating to culture and wetland management. The second part concentrates on the objectives and responsibilities of management and conservation analysed in Ramsar (contained in these resolutions), which are to be complemented with strategic actions that must be implemented. The third and fourth part analyse the commonest human activities in wetlands and their cultural values as a means of reaching a deeper understanding of the role of man in relation to place and the impact on biodiversity. Ways forward and specific actions are proposed as means of improving management practices in wetlands from environmental and cultural points of view.