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System Title |
5.2 Ramsar Wetland Classification System |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Wetland classification; Wetlands; Ramsar convention |
| Description | The Ramsar classification system provides a very broad framework to aid
the rapid identification of the main wetland types represented at each site.
This classification system is largely based on form and relationships rather
than intrinsic content or wetland processes. The classification system includes:
|
| Original Purpose | This system was designed to provide a very general framework to classify the diverse range of wetlands globally. It is designed so it can be applied in situations where little information exists. |
| Status | The system was adopted by recommendation 4.7 and amended by resolution V1.5 of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the International Convention for the Protection of Wetlands (Ramsar Convention). |
| Organisation. | In New Zealand the administering authority is the Department of Conservation. |
| Jurisdiction | New Zealand |
| Contact person/position | Chris Richmond Senior policy analyst |
| Address | Department of Conservation Box 10 420 Wellington Phone +64 4 471 0726 Fax +64 4 471 3130 Email: crichmond@doc.govt.nz |
| Available format | In various reports; the Ramsar Convention Manual |
| Access | Freely available |
| Geographical coverage | Global |
Operational Specifications |
|
|---|---|
| Scale of Operation | It can operate at a wide range of scales ranging from individual ecological units to large wetland complexes that cross international borders. |
| GIS Compatibility | Requires accurate location data |
| Relationship between levels in the classification system | This is a non-hierarchical system that is based on the USA typological system for wetlands. |
| Contributing databases/classification systems | N/A |
| Contributing database GIS compatibility | N/A; |
| Relationship with other classification systems and spatial frameworks. | N/A |
| Relationship with other databases | This classification system is the basis for the Ramsar database that contains approximately 1000 formally designated wetlands of international significance. In New Zealand five wetland sites have been formally designated and 104 sites have been formally identified as being of international significance. |
Current and emerging use for: |
|
|---|---|
| Assisting with determining historic state/ baseline | No |
| Assisting with determining current state/ baseline | It can be used to help describe the current state of wetlands. |
| Asssisting with scenario building and modelling of possible futures | No |
| Risk Assesment | Limited |
| Monitoring site selection and sample design | It could be used to stratify for representative sampling of wetlands at a broad level. |
| Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally and/or nationally | Data can be aggregated to report nationally, regionally and internationally. |
Current use (who,level,why)
The Ramsar classification system is used by 110 countries so that they can comply with the Convention's requirements
User friendliness/public and decision maker understanding
The system is easy to use and simple to understand.
System strengths
- Simple system
- Used and accepted internationally
- It allows for the inventory and categorisation of highly modified sites
- It allows boundaries to be determined from very basic information.
Current limitations of framework
- The categories are not mutually exclusive (there is overlap).
- Most categories are very broad and there is no mechanism for finer subdivision.
- The system is non-hierarchical but it does not allow aggregation of similar elements across categories (for example it is not possible to group all shrublands regardless of hydroclass).