Ramsar first emerged as a global idea on the Caspian shore in Ramsar, Iran, on a February day that would change conservation history. The Ramsar Convention was born there, a groundbreaking intergovernmental pact focused on safeguarding natural resources while promoting their sustainable use. Its purpose is to advance worldwide sustainable development through careful stewardship of wetlands and water resources. Since 1997, February 2 has been a day to honor this achievement as World Wetlands Day.
In the current year, actions across Spain are mobilizing next Friday to defend these vital landscapes. Wetlands and the waters they hold underpin human life by ensuring a steady supply of water for drinking, irrigation, industry, and the maintenance of diverse wildlife.
Among the events set for World Wetlands Day, a robust program organized by SEO/BirdLife features more than a hundred activities under the banner Water and wetlands in danger after 70 years. The events, scheduled for February 2, 3, and 4, are free to the public and aim to illuminate wetland ecosystems and their waterfowl. The Eurasian bittern, highlighted as Bird of the Year for 2024, will be a recurring theme across these gatherings.
SEO/BirdLife notes that the global conservation status of wetlands remains poor or very poor in more than half of the world’s sites, with 54 percent of wetlands rated as such and only about 12 percent in good condition. The organization emphasizes that Ramsar wetlands face strong pressures that threaten both habitat extent and quality, affecting the populations of waterbirds across regions.
threatened waterbirds
Conservation concerns rise as 22 percent of wintering and migrating waterbird populations show significant challenges, with figures reaching 63 percent for some breeding populations. Of the 104 species for which conservation data exist, 29 fall into some threat category. In practical terms, nearly three in ten water-dependent bird species are seriously threatened, according to SEO/BirdLife.
The Ramsar Convention, formally called the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance as Waterfowl Habitat, has enjoyed the support of more than 170 states, including Spain, since 1982. UNESCO serves as the depositary, with its secretariat based in France. This framework began with a focus on waterfowl conservation but has since broadened to recognize wetlands as essential to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and global health.
Wetlands stand among the Earth’s most productive environments, acting as cradles of biodiversity and as sources of water and primary productivity necessary for countless plant and animal life. When a country joins the Ramsar system, it commits to designating at least one wetland for inclusion on the List of Wetlands of International Importance. The current roster includes roughly 2,500 wetlands, spanning every region, covering millions of hectares and representing a scale of preservation comparable to many times the area of Spain.
78 wetlands on the Ramsar List in Spain
How many Spanish wetlands are on the Ramsar List? The number stands at 78, as listed by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Issues, the national authority designated to administer the convention. Initially, Spain highlighted two emblematic wetlands, with more added over time to reflect the country’s rich wetland heritage and its global significance.
The process for adding new sites involves a formal proposal from the relevant autonomous community, public disclosure, a technical review by the Wetlands Committee, and evaluation by the State Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Commission. Final approval rests with the Council of Ministers, after which the Ramsar Secretariat moves to include the site on the official List of Wetlands of International Importance.
The distribution of wetlands across autonomous communities shows regional imbalances. Andalusia hosts the most sites, followed by the Valencian Community and Castilla-La Mancha, each with several wetlands. Some wetlands span more than one autonomous community, and at least one site crosses international borders, linking France and Spain.
criteria for Ramsar listing
Ramsar recognizes wetlands that are representative, rare, or unique examples of natural or near-natural types, situated within suitable biogeographical zones. Inclusion signals that the site is of international importance, particularly if it supports vulnerable or endangered species or ecological communities, or if it hosts populations essential for maintaining regional biodiversity.
Other criteria include substantial populations of waterfowl, critical habitats for fish life stages, and features that underpin broader ecosystem productivity. A site may be deemed internationally important if it regularly supports a significant portion of a wetland-dependent species, whether through population size, longevity, or migratory reliance.
In practice, the Ramsar framework seeks to balance ecological significance with ongoing habitat protection, ensuring wetlands remain functional for water storage, flood control, nutrient cycling, and the sustenance of diverse life forms.
Ramsar Wetlands in Spain: on alert report
Note: the Ramsar program continues to adapt, expanding knowledge about wetlands and reinforcing the value of international cooperation for protecting water resources and biodiversity. Ongoing monitoring and research help identify critical sites, guide management decisions, and ensure wetlands contribute to resilient landscapes for future generations.
The broader mission remains straightforward: safeguard wetlands as living systems that support water, life, and the health of entire ecosystems for today and tomorrow.