Australian Ramsar management principles
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) establishes a framework for managing Ramsar wetlands, which is in accordance with the Ramsar Convention, through the Australian Ramsar management principles.
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
- Australian Ramsar management principles
These principles have been set out in regulations and cover matters relevant to the preparation of management plans, environment assessment of actions that may affect the site, and the community consultation process.
A management plan for a Ramsar wetland cannot be accredited unless it is in accordance with these principles. The principles may also be used for the management of any wetland throughout Australia.
Australian Ramsar management principles checklist
This checklist provides an overview only. Also refer to the Ramsar Convention, the EPBC Act, the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the Bonn Convention).
- Ramsar Convention
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- Migratory bird agreements with Japan (JAMBA) and China (CAMBA)
- Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the Bonn Convention)
- Does the management plan describe the ecological character of the wetland?
- Ecological character is 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'.
- Does the management plan clearly demonstrate that actions will be taken to maintain the ecological character of the wetlands?
- Does the plan promote and describe actions to conserve the wetland?
- Does the plan promote and describe actions for the wise and sustainable use of the wetland for the benefit of all people in a way that is compatible with and does not impact on the natural properties of the ecosystem?
- Does the plan include public consultation where decisions and actions may have an impact on the wetland and where the public may have an interest?
- Does the plan include the involvement of people who have a particular interest in the wetland and those who may be affected by the management of the wetland?
- Does the plan include processes that provide for continuing community and technical input?
- Does the management plan include a description of the characteristics that make the wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention?
- Under the Ramsar Convention, sites are designated for the List of Wetlands of International Importance 'on account of their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology' (Article 2.2). in brief, the Ramsar Convention states that a wetland should be considered internationally important if:
- it is a particularly good representative example of a natural or near-natural wetland, characteristic of the appropriate biogeographical region
- it is a particularly good representative example of a natural or near-natural wetland, common to more than one biogeographical region
- it is a particularly good representative example of a wetland which plays a substantial hydrological, biological or ecological role in the natural functioning of an major river basin or coastal system, especially where it is located in a trans-border position
- it is an example of a specific type of wetland, rare or unusual in the appropriate biogeographical region
- Does the plan describe actions that will be taken to deal with the impacts that endanger the wetland's ecological character?
- This should include mechanisms that respond to risks associated with:
- physical loss, modification or encroachment on the wetland
- loss of biodiversity
- pollution and nutrient input
- changes to water regimes
- utilisation of resources
- introduction of invasive species
- If the wetland requires restoration or rehabilitation, what actions have been identified to undertake this work?
- Does the plan adequately consider monitoring and reporting on the state of the wetland's ecological character on a continuing basis?
- Is the management plan based on an integrated catchment management approach?
- Does the plan allow for a review process within a seven-year period?
- Do all anticipated actions, which are likely to have a significant impact on the ecological character of the wetland, include assessment under a statutory environmental impact assessment and approval process?
Subscribe
News
See also
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window