African Wetlands of International Importance: Assessment of Benefits Associated with Designations under the Ramsar Convention

40 Pages Posted: 10 Jul 2009 Last revised: 1 Oct 2009

See all articles by Royal C. Gardner

Royal C. Gardner

Stetson University - Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy

Kim Diana Connolly

SUNY Buffalo Law School

Abou Bamba

Independent

Abstract

A party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands must designate at least one site within its territory as a Wetland of International Importance. To assess the benefits associated with these international designations, the authors conducted a survey of 26 Ramsar sites in 18 countries in Africa. After a brief introduction to the Ramsar Convention, the article describes the sites that were surveyed, focusing on the ecosystem services they provide and the challenges they face. The article then examines how the sites are identified with the Ramsar Convention and found that designation provided benefits such as: increased support for protection and management of the sites; increased scientific studies; increased funding opportunities; increased ecotourism; and poverty alleviation. The article concludes with recommendations on how to strengthen the Ramsar Convention in Africa.

Keywords: Ramsar Convention, wetlands, Africa

JEL Classification: K32, K33

Suggested Citation

Gardner, Royal C. and Connolly, Kim Diana and Bamba, Abou, African Wetlands of International Importance: Assessment of Benefits Associated with Designations under the Ramsar Convention. Georgetown International Environmental Law Review (GIELR), Vol. 21, No. 2, 2009, Stetson University College of Law Research Paper No. 2009-23, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1431626

Royal C. Gardner (Contact Author)

Stetson University - Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy ( email )

1401 61st Street South
Gulfport, FL 33707-3299
United States

Kim Diana Connolly

SUNY Buffalo Law School ( email )

528 O'Brian Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260-1100
United States

Abou Bamba

Independent ( email )

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