to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Valencia, Spain, 18-26 November 2002
Ramsar COP8 DOC. 28
Information Paper
English and Spanish only
Regional overview of the implementation of the Convention and
its Strategic Plan 1997-2002: Neotropics
The National Reports upon which this overview is based can be consulted on the Ramsar Web site, on http://ramsar.org/cop8_nr_natl_rpt_index.htm
Contracting Parties in the Neotropics as of 31 August 2002: Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela (24).
Contracting Parties whose National Reports are included in this analysis: Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay,
Venezuela (20).
Contracting Parties yet to submit National Reports: Belize and Paraguay.
The Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia are recent accessions to the Convention and are therefore not expected to submit an NR.
1. Main achievements since COP7 and priorities for 2003-2005
1.1 Main achievements since COP7
1. There are 32 countries in the Neotropics; 24 are already Contracting Parties. Three countries acceded to the Convention since COP7.
2. As of 31 August 2002 the Region has 100 Ramsar sites, covering an area of almost 26.5 million ha. This represents 25.6% of the world’s wetlands of international importance. 36 new sites covering 14.7 million ha. were designated in the Neotropics since COP7, while the sites of Parque Nacional Laguna del Tigre in Guatemala and Palo Verde in Costa Rica were extended by 289,912 ha and 4,719 ha respectively. The new designations and site extensions represent a total increase of roughly 126% in Ramsar sites in the Neotropics since COP7.
4. There are two subregional strategies for wetlands in existence in the Neotropics – one for Central America and one draft strategy for South America.
5. Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago have National Wetland Policies (NWP), while Cuba and Nicaragua have policies in place that partially fulfil this task. Additionally, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Jamaica are in the process of elaborating their National Wetlands Policy.
6. There are 13 National Ramsar Committees or similar bodies in the Region, while 6 countries are preparing the establishment of their Committees.
7. The Neotropics Region currently has 4 sites in the Montreux Record in Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Uruguay, the same number as at the time of COP7. However, one site was removed (Nariva Swamp, Trinidad y Tobago) in January 2002, while another one was added (Laguna de Llancanelo, Argentina) in July 2001.
8. Contracting Parties in the region have engaged in international cooperation efforts with international organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), The Nature
Conservancy (TNC), Ducks Unlimited, and Conservation International (CI), as well as with regional initiatives such as the Wider Caribbean Action Plan.
9. The United States provided since 1999 $1,160,000 to support the Wetlands for the Future Initiate (WFF). So far WFF has provided $748,328 in funding for 82 projects in the Neotropics region and the rest has been provided to support projects in Mexico.
10. The Small Grants Fund funded 6 projects between 1999 and 2001 in the Neotropics.
11. The governments of Argentina, Canada, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United States of America all contributed funds for the organization of regional and subregional meetings covering the Neotropics region.
1.2 Priorities for 2003-2005
From the analysis of the National Reports it is evident that the high percentage of
implementation might be misleading, as the level of progress of many of the actions is different from country to country. As the present report format does not allow for a more objective analysis of status and trends of wetlands at the national level, the future reporting system should be modified to guarantee that Parties to the Convention will have a clearer picture of the key priorities to attain the sustainable use of wetlands in all their territory.
Based on the regional percentages of achievements for each action (see COP8 National Reports Statistics web page) of the future strategic plan (2003-2008), and on the Bureau’s knowledge and experience in the region, the key priorities for the next triennium are listed here.
1. Undertaking National Wetlands Inventories.
5. Clearer definitions and procedures in environmental impact assessment and increased capacity for implementation and enforcement.
6. Identification and adoption of national incentives to promote rational use and conservation of wetlands.
7. Development of strategies for Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) 8. Implementation of Regional Wetland Strategies.
9. Design of new subregional strategies.
10. Removal of sites from the Montreux Record.
11. Designation of under-represented wetlands, particularly coastal sites and peatlands. 12. Preparation and implementation of participative integrated management plans for Ramsar
sites and other wetlands in national territory. 13. Allocation of specific funds for wetlands’ wise use.
14. Actions to mitigate the impact of climate change and sea level rise. 15. Private sector participation in management and conservation of wetlands.
16. Increased coordination between national focal points of other relevant environmental agreements/conventions, including Biodiversity, Desertification, Climate Change, Migratory Species, and the Cartagena Convention.
2. Implementation activities undertaken since COP7
This analysis has been prepared following the format of the proposed actions for the Strategic Plan 2003–2008. The bracketed numbers correspond to the reference section in the National Reports submitted by the Parties to the Bureau.
2.1 Inventory and assessment
2.1.A Wetland inventory [1.1]
Costa Rica, Chile, Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago have prepared comprehensive wetland inventories with national coverage. Another nine Contracting Parties of the region (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela) have partial inventories or initiatives in progress. Thus, 65% of Parties in the Neotropics have made concerted efforts to accomplish this task, compared to 66% of Parties to the Ramsar Convention globally.
Similar results are found regarding national wetland databases, where four countries (Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba and Uruguay) reported having complete databases, while five additional ones (Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Trinidad & Tobago) reported having partial databases or having initiated efforts in this respect (45% of the region). This percentage is slightly below the global 56%.
2.1.B Wetland assessment [1.2]
45% of Contracting Parties in the Region have conducted regular internal reviews to identify factors potentially altering the ecological character of Ramsar sites, among them Argentina, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uruguay. Globally, 54% of countries responded positively to this question.
Llancanelo; Costa Rica - Caño Negro, Palo Verde, and Terraba-Sierpe; Guatemala - Parque Nacional Laguna del Tigre; Nicaragua - Los Guatuzos; Panama - San San-Pond Sak; Perú - Santuario Nacional Lagunas de Mejía, Reserva Nacional de Junín, Zona Reservada Los Pantanos de Villa, Reserva Nacional de Pacaya Samiria, Paracas, Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de Tumbes, and Lago Titicaca (Peruvian Sector); Trinidad & Tobago - Nariva Swamp; and Uruguay - Bañados del Este y Franja Costera.
2.2 Policies and legislation, including impact assessment and valuation
2.2.A Policy instruments for wetland wise use [2.1]
20% of Parties in the Neotropics (Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and Trinidad & Tobago) have National Wetland Policies (NWPs) in place, while Cuba and Nicaragua have policy instruments that partly fulfill this task. Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Jamaica have the development of an NWP underway, all to be in place within 1-2 years. Overall, 35% of Contracting Parties to the Convention have NWPs in place.
95% of Parties in the region have indicated in their National report that they take fully into consideration the Ramsar Convention obligations in their environmental policies, above the global 88%.
2.2.B Development, review and amendment of policies, legislation, institutions and practices [2.2]
55% of Contracting Parties have carried out complete reviews (Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay), partial reviews (Argentina, El Salvador, and Nicaragua), or are currently reviewing (Guatemala and Venezuela) their laws and institutions related to wetlands. The regional percentage is similar to the global 57%.
A smaller percentage of all countries in the region (20%, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and Trinidad & Tobago) have reviewed government plans and policies that might impact wetlands. In this respect, the global percentage of reviews is 29%.
40% of countries (Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Uruguay and Venezuela) have completely or partially reviewed their national institutions related to wetlands in order to insure the resource availability for implementation of the Ramsar Convention. For all Ramsar Contracting Parties, the percentage is 50%.
65% of countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela) have the legal requirement to carry out an EIA in all likely cases of change in ecological character of all wetlands, including Ramsar Sites, which is slightly above the global 63%.
Yet only 40% of Parties in the region (Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela) reported that they have actually carried out the required assessment in all likely cases of change in ecological character of Ramsar sites. The percentage from the Neotropics is slightly above the global 39%.
as part of environmental impact assessments, below the 61% reported by all Contracting Parties.
2.3 Integration of wetland wise use into sustainable development
2.3.A Methodologies for wetland conservation and wise use [3.1]
30% of countries in the Neotropics (Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela) have carried out reviews of resource materials related to wetland management, policies and practices, which is considerably higher than the global 21% of all Ramsar Contracting Parties that have undertaken such reviews.
2.3.B Peatlands [3.2]
Cuba has planned to designate under-represented wetland types, including peatlands, within the next five years. These two countries represent 13.3% of the countries that gave special attention to under-represented wetland types. In addition, six sites containing peatlands (types U and Xp according to Ramsar site type classification nomenclature) were designated in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba and Nicaragua since COP7. The other countries (for example, Colombia) have recognized the importance of under-represented wetland types and will consider them for future designation once those inventorying efforts currently underway or in the planning stages are finalized. See additional reference to under-represented wetland types in section 2.10.A. and Table 1, where the presence of under-represented wetland types in new site designations is detailed.
2.3.C Recognition of wetland values and functions [3.3]
Potential sites for Ramsar designation were identified by 70% of the countries in the region. See section 2.10.A. Additionally, 50% of countries (Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and
Venezuela) stated in their National Reports that they have implemented a systematic approach to identifying sites at national level. In using a systematic approach, some countries in the Neotropics highlighted the importance of more complete assessments of sites including both ecological and socioeconomic characterizations, as well as fostering research, training and public awareness. Globally, 61% of Parties have implemented this approach for site identification, which shows the important advance the Neotropics has made in this regard.
2.3.D Integration of wetland policies into broader planning and management from local to national scales [3.4]
2.4 Restoration and rehabilitation [4.1]
Costa Rica, Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago have carried out assessments to identify priority wetlands for restoration or rehabilitation. Ten additional countries (Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) have conducted partial actions in this area. The percentage of affirmative and partially affirmative responses (65%) is similar to the global trend in this respect (71%).
Contracting Parties gave a more positive response when detailing actions for restoration and rehabilitation of priority wetlands. Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela all reported carrying out projects in this respect.
60% of Parties in the region have resource information on wetland restoration, though the materials forwarded to the Ramsar Bureau are scarce. This represents a higher average than the percentage for all Parties (55%).
2.5 Invasive alien species [5.1]
There were no directly related questions on this issue in the National Report Format. However, 35% of Contracting Parties in the region (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, and Venezuela) reported having resource materials related to invasive species, with Brazil giving additional general information on ongoing national programs that address this issue. Overall, 49% of Ramsar Contracting Parties reported having such resource materials.
2.6 Local communities, indigenous people, and cultural values [6.1]
17 Contracting Parties of the region (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela) promote local stakeholder management of wetlands; Bahamas and Bolivia have also carried out partial efforts in this respect. The Regional percentage of Parties engaged in full or partial promotion (95%) is above the global trend (87%).
There is widespread support in the Region for site managers in monitoring ecological character of Ramsar sites (85% of Parties; 90% including partial efforts). This is reinforced by comparing with the global percentages (77% and 81%, respectively).
40% of countries in the Neotropics (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama) have wetland site management committees in place. Additionally, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru currently have efforts in progress. This compares somewhat unfavorably to the global 66%, and stresses the need to make strong efforts in the next triennium to achieve better involvement of local stakeholders.
2.7 Private sector involvement [7.1]
75% of Parties in the Region (Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela) have made efforts to encourage private sector support for wetlands conservation. Of these countries, Costa Rica and Ecuador are still trying to formalize these efforts. Globally there is a similar trend, with 73% of all Contracting Parties having reported getting support from the private sector.
13 Parties in the Region (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela) have made efforts to encourage private sector involvement in monitoring ecological character of Ramsar sites. The rate of 65% is significantly higher than the global 42%.
2.8 Incentives [8.1]
For the Neotropics only 15% of countries (Colombia, Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago) have carried out reviews of existing incentives measures. Venezuela has also carried out a partial review, while Suriname’s review is ongoing. The global reviews of incentive measures also take place at the low rate of 21%.
In terms of actions to promote incentives Colombia reported to be starting adoption of a coherent framework for wetlands, while Bahamas, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Peru all reported to be carrying out partial actions already.
2.9 Communication, education, and public awareness (CEPA) [9.1]
As of 31 August 2002, the following countries had identified their CEPA focal points:
• CEPA government focal point: Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela.
• CEPA non-government focal point: Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela.
This means that the percentage of countries from the Neotropics having provided information about their CEPA focal points has increased to date to 80% for government focal points and 75% for non-government focal points respectively, a remarkable
achievement for the region.
40% of Contracting Parties in the region (Bahamas, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) have carried out actions to identify regional CEPA needs. An additional Party (Guatemala) has conducted partial efforts. Globally, 50% of
Contracting Parties have identified CEPA needs.
35% of Contracting Parties in the Neotropics (Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Trinidad & Tobago) have given support to international
programmes that encourage transfer of information, knowledge and skills among wetland education centres and educators, lower than the 50% of Parties that have done so globally.
Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela (25% of Neotropics countries) have
established task forces to undertake a review of national needs, capacities and opportunities in the field of wetland CEPA. Chile, Costa Rica and Nicaragua have partially considered reviews through their National Ramsar Committees. Globally, 22% of Contracting Parties have undertaken reviews.
40% of Parties (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Trinidad & Tobago) have established educational centers in wetland sites. Additionally, El Salvador and Peru are currently in the process of establishing some centers. The
establishment of centers at global level has occurred in 57% of countries, which indicates a weakness of the Neotropics region in this area.
Only 8 countries (40%) have given partial support to wetlands CEPA in all facilities, while wetlandsissues have been partially incorporated into the curricula of 10 countries (50%). Globally, the figures correspond to 50% and 64% respectively.
40% of Contracting Parties in the Neotropics have taken steps to provide Internet access to Ramsar site managers, compared to 41% globally. Specifically for the region, 29 Ramsar site managers have Internet connection, while an additional 10 Ramsar sites have Internet access through the regional offices of the national Administrative Authority.
2.10 Designation of Ramsar sites
2.10.A Application of the Strategic Framework [10.1]
Contracting Parties in the Neotropics identified 108 wetland sites as possible future Ramsar sites.
70% of Parties in the Neotropics have complete (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uruguay) or partial (Ecuador, Nicaragua, Suriname) directories of potential Ramsar sites. Partial or complete directories have been completed in 80% of Ramsar Contracting Parties at the global level.
50% of countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, and Panama) have designated wetlands that had no previous
70% of countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela) have also given special attention to identification of suitable sites with under-represented wetland types, almost identical to the 71% global rate. Jamaica has committed to
designating one additional site with under-represented wetland types by March 2005.
Recognition of under-represented wetland types has improved steadily in the Neotropics region. Of the 36 sites designated as Ramsar sites since COP7, 31 have under-represented wetland types, many of which represent the dominant type present in the site. These include coral reefs, intertidal wetlands, karst, and peatlands. See Table 1 in Annex for details on the new Ramsar sites.
2.10.B Maintenance and use of the Ramsar Sites Database [10.2]
There are no Ramsar sites in the Neotropics that have pending RIS updates according to Res. VII.12 criteria. However, the Regional Team requested updates (July 2001) either for RIS files older than six years, incomplete RIS files, and/or sites with deficient maps. Table 2 details the requested updates, to 31 August 2002.
2.11 Management planning and monitoring of Ramsar sites
2.11.A Maintenance of the ecological character of all Ramsar sites [11.1]
70% of Parties in the Neotropics reported that they have documented measures to maintain ecological character of Ramsar sites (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay) or have made partial efforts (Brazil and Ecuador), a figure similar to the global rate of 77%.
40% of Parties in the region (Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela) have management plans in place for all their Ramsar sites. This percentage doubles the rate of Parties on a global scale that have complied with this point (20%). Additionally, to 31 August 2002, 60 out of 100 Ramsar sites in the Neotropics have management plans in place. See Table 3 in Annex for details on management plan status for all Ramsar sites in the region.
80% of countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela) apply zoning measures wholly or in part to regulate activities in those wetlands where it is warranted. 40 Ramsar sites are reported as having zoning measures in place. Again, zoning measures are used by a higher percentage of countries than the global figure of 72%.
75% of countries (Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela) use strict
protection measures to regulate activities in those wetlands where it is warranted. The global percentage is again lower at 72%. 37 Ramsar sites are also reported as covered by strict protection measures.
The Neotropics region had four Ramsar sites on the Montreux record at the time of COP7:
• Bañados del Este y Franja Costera, Uruguay. Designation: 22/05/84. Montreux Record: 04/07/90. Ramsar Advisory Missions: October 1988 and May 1993.
• Palo Verde, Costa Rica. Designation: 27/12/91. Montreux Record: 16/06/93. Ramsar Advisory Mission: March 1998.
• Laguna del Tigre, Guatemala. Designation: 26/06/90. Montreux Record: 16/06/93. Ramsar Advisory Mission: July 1997.
• Nariva Swamp, Trinidad & Tobago. Designation: 21/12/92. Montreux Record: 16/06/93. Ramsar Advisory Mission: May 1995.
Costa Rica and Guatemala informed in their National Reports that they have partly implemented the Ramsar Advisory Mission recommendations, and recognized the need for further actions to eventually remove their respective sites from the Montreux Record. Trinidad & Tobago reported the implementation of most measures - the site in question (Nariva Swamp) has since been removed from the Record, on 07/01/02. Following this important announcement, the Government of Trinidad & Tobago stated its commitment to the continued conservation and sustainable use of Nariva.
Argentina included the Ramsar site Laguna de Llancanelo on the Montreux Record on 02/07/01 (Designation: 08/11/95. Ramsar Advisory Mission: October 2001). Thus, the total number of Ramsar sites on the Montreux Record remains at four at the time of COP8.
See related indicator on regular internal reviews to identify factors potentially altering ecological character of Ramsar sites in section 2.1.B.
2.12 Management of shared water resources, wetlands and wetland species
2.12.A Inventory and integrated management of shared wetlands and hydrological basins [12.1]
Only 3 Contracting Parties (Bolivia, Costa Rica and Guatemala) reported carrying out cooperative management of shared wetlands, equivalent to 17% of the eligible countries in the region; this means that 12 countries in the region did not provide an answer to this particular question. Globally, 31% of Parties carry out cooperative management.
See additional related reference to integrated zone management in section 2.3.D.
2.12.B Cooperative monitoring and management of shared wetland-dependent species [12.2]
Bolivia and Peru carry out joint management of the Lago Titicaca Ramsar sites in each country. Costa Rica and Nicaragua cooperate on management of the Río San Juan Basin, which includes Ramsar sites on both countries. Uruguay’s Laguna Merín (within the Bañados del Este y Franja Costera Ramsar site) has a Joint Binational Commission with Brazil for investment in development of the area.
2.12.C Support and promotion of regional arrangements under the Convention [12.3]
There is no regional agreement under Ramsar for the Neotropics.
2.13 Collaboration with other multilateral environmental agreements and institutions [13.1]
Only 20% of Contracting Parties gave consideration to the Joint Work Plan (JWP) between the Ramsar Convention and the CBD. Globally, the JWP has been reviewed in 29% of countries.
It was also highlighted in the National Reports that with the sponsoring of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Cuba and Venezuela both organized a national workshop on synergies in November 2001, to identify and coordinate plans of actions between the different environmental conventions subscribed to by the countries. In El Salvador, the focal points of the Ramsar Convention, UNCCD, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) also organized a workshop of synergies among the four bodies.
Regarding coordination at the national level to implement the various multilateral agreements, please refer to section 2.18.
2.14 Sharing of expertise and information [14.1]
65% of Contracting Parties (Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago) carried out exchanges of information, technical assistance and expertise with regard to South-South cooperation. This is an encouraging sign of cooperation within the Neotropics region, as the global percentage of Parties carrying out these activities is only 41%.
35% of countries in the Neotropics (Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Nicaragua, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay) have Ramsar sites twinned with those in other Contracting Parties.
Additionally, Nicaragua has twinned sites with Ramsar sites in Lombardia, Italy, and Extremadura, Spain. Cuba’s twinning of Ciénaga de Zapata with Mexico’s Ría Lagartos Ramsar site has included exchanges of technical personnel. In Suriname, the
2.15 Financing the conservation and wise use of wetlands
2.15.A Promoting international assistance to support the conservation and wise use of wetlands [15.1]
70% of Contracting Parties in the region (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Jamaica, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela) had project proposals submitted to funding agencies which were intended to assist Ramsar implementation.
Development assistance agencies allocated funds for wetland related projects on a regular basis to 45% of Contracting Parties in the Neotropics, in contrast to 39% of all Ramsar member countries.
40% of Contracting Parties in the Neotropics (Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Venezuela) are represented in governing bodies or scientific advisory bodies of multilateral donor institutions or the GEF. In the National Reports only 35% of the Contracting Parties at the global level reported that they were represented in the governing bodies.
In its National Report El Salvador highlighted that using support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the CBD, the Ramsar Convention, UNCCD, and UNFCCC, the national focal points in the country have applied for GEF funding to carry out a joint project in the Humedal Cerrón Grande site.
2.15.B Environmental safeguards and assessments as part of all development projects (including foreign and domestic investments) affecting wetlands [15.2]
Requirements of EIA for Contracting Parties are covered in section 2.2.B.
2.16 Financing of the Convention [16.1]
In the National Reports, 45% of Contracting Parties in the Neotropics reported being up to date with their contributions to the Convention, compared to a global total of 60% of all Parties. However, a review of the state of contributions as of 31 August 2002 reveals that 60% of Contracting Parties in the Region (Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago) are now up to date with their contributions to the Convention. Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Saint Lucia, as new Parties to the Convention, were not expected to make any payments for 2001.
Regional Meeting in Guayaquil, Ecuador (1-5 July 2002) was funded by the Canadian Wildlife Service ($6,412), Spain’s Ministry of Environment ($29,799), and the United States of America ($100,000).
2.17 Institutional mechanisms of the Convention [17.1]
Relevant questions in National Reports cross-referenced to section 2.18 below.
2.18 Institutional and financial capacity of Contracting Parties [18.1]
30% of the Contracting Parties in the Neotropics (Bahamas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Uruguay and Venezuela) have reviewed their national institutions related to wetlands in order to improve implementation of the Convention, while two additional Parties (Brazil and Jamaica) have carried out partial efforts in this respect. The global percentage of countries conducting reviews was 45%.
Argentina, Brazil, Bahamas, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela have in place a National Ramsar Committee (NRC) or similar body. Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, and Peru are currently making progress in establishing their Committees. Thus, 95% of
Contracting Parties have either an NRC or similar body, or have its establishment in progress, compared to 80% of all countries Party to the Convention.
For the coordination and integration in implementing international and regional
conventions and treaties, 80% of the Parties in the Region reported having a mechanism for this purpose, usually through the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or a special inter-ministerial committee. There is a much higher consideration for multilateral initiatives in the Neotropics, as the global percentage is 58%.
90% of Contracting Parties in the Neotropics (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela) stated that they allocate funds for conservation and wise use of wetlands. The allocations have taken place in all countries as part of broader allocations for the environment or as part of cross-sectoral and cross-ministerial initiatives and programs. Globally, 78% of Contracting Parties have reported allocations for wetlands. In the case of Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago, both have a separate government allocation specifically earmarked for wetlands.
2.19 Working with International Organization Partners (IOPs) and others [19.1]
50% of Contracting Parties in the Neotropics (Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Peru, and Uruguay) coordinate actions with Ramsar’s International Organization Partners, either through the latter’s membership in National Ramsar Committees and similar bodies, or through direct joint projects with, in particular, WWF and IUCN Regional Offices. There is similar coordination with IOPs in 43% of all Contracting Parties.
Only 15% of countries in the Neotropics (Colombia, Costa Rica and Cuba) have carried out the analysis of training needs for implementing wise use guidelines, as opposed to 26% of countries globally. The same three Contracting Parties, as well as Nicaragua, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uruguay have reviewed their training opportunities, while Panama has its review currently in progress. They in turn represent 35% of the countries in the region, whereas 36% of countries have done so globally.
40% of the Parties in the region have developed (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala and Venezuela) or are currently developing (Argentina and Peru) training activities and modules related to wetlands. This is comparable to the global percentage of 40%.
45% of the Parties (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago) have also provided training to wetland managers through personnel exchanges, again similar to the global figure, 52%.
All Contracting Parties in the Region have received support from the Wetlands for the Future Initiative.
2.21 Membership of the Convention [21.1]
Only Trinidad & Tobago undertook serious efforts to recruit new CPs into the Convention between 1999-2002. This represents only 7% of the countries of the region for which the question was applicable, which is extremely low compared to the global percentage of 46%.
Annex
Summary statistics
Table 1 - Neotropics Sites designated since COP 7
Country Site name Designation
date (in ha.) Area represented Under-wetland types
1. Argentina Jaaukanigás 10.10.01 492,000 Ts
2. Argentina Lagunas de Guanacache 14.12.99 580,000 Ts,U 3. Argentina Lagunas y Esteros del Iberá 18.01.02 24,550 Ts 4. Argentina Lagunas de Vilama 20.10.00 157,000 U 5. Argentina Bañados del Río Dulce y Laguna
de Mar Chiquita 28.05.02 996,000 Ts
6. Bolivia Cuenca de Tajzara 13.06.00 5,500 U 7. Bolivia Bañados del Izogog and Rio
Parapeti 17.09.01 615,882 none
8. Bolivia Palmar de las Islas y las Salinas de
San José 17.09.01 856,754 Ts
9. Bolivia Pantanal Boliviano 17.09.01 3,189,888 Ts 10. Bolivia Laguna Concepción 06.05.02 31,124 Ts 11. Bolivia Lagos Poopó y Uru Uru 11.07.02 967,607 Zg 12. Brazil Baixada Maranhense
Environmental Protection Area 29.02.00 1,775,036 I,Ts 13. Brazil Par.Est.Mar. do Parcel Manoel
Luís incl. the Baixios do Mestre Alvaro and Tarol
29.02.00 34,556 C
14. Colombia Laguna de la Cocha 08.01.01 39,000 U 15. Costa Rica Cuenca Embalse Arenal 07.03.00 67,296 none 16. Costa Rica Laguna Respringue 06.05.99 75 A 17. Costa Rica Manglar de Potrero Grande 06.05.99 139 I
18. Cuba Ciénaga de Zapata 12.04.01 452,000 B,C,G,I,Ts,U, Xp,Zk 19. Dominican
Republic Lago Enriquillo 15.05.02 20,000 none
20. Ecuador Abras de Mantequilla 14.03.00 22,500 Ts
21. Ecuador Isla Santay 31.10.00 4,705 G,I
22. Ecuador La Segua 07.06.00 1,836 Ts
23. Ecuador Laguna de Cube 02.02.02 113 Ts
24. Ecuador Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla
Santa Clara 02.02.02 46 none
25. Peru Complejo de humedales del
Abanico del río Pastaza 05.06.02 3,827,329 Ts 26. Guatemala Punta de Manabique 28.01.00 132,900 B,I 27. Honduras Sistema de Humedales de la Zona
Sur de Honduras 10.07.99 69,711 B,G,I
28. Nicaragua Cayos Miskitos y Franja Costera
Immediata 08.11.01 85,000 B,C,G,I,Ts,Zk
29. Nicaragua Deltas del Estero Real y Llanos
Country Site name Designation
date (in ha.) Area represented Under-wetland types 30. Nicaragua Lago de Apanás-Asturias 08.11.01 5,415 none 31. Nicaragua Refugio de Vida Silvestre Río San
Juan 08.11.01 43,000 I,U
32. Nicaragua Sistema de Humedales de la
Bahía de Bluefields 08.11.01 86,501 I,Ts 33. Nicaragua Sistema de Humedales de San
Miguelito 08.11.01 43,475 Ts
34. Nicaragua Sistema Lagunar de Tisma 08.11.01 16,850 Ts
35. St. Lucia Mankotè Mangrove 19.02.02 60 A, B, C and I 36. St. Lucia Savannes Bay 19.02.02 25 A, B, C and I
TOTAL 14,725,573
Key for under-represented wetland types: Marine/Coastal Wetlands:
A Permanent shallow marine waters in most cases less than six metres deep at low tide; includes sea bays and straits.
B Marine subtidal aquatic beds; includes kelp beds, sea-grass beds, tropical marine meadows. C Coral reefs.
G Intertidal mud, sand or salt flats.
I Intertidal forested wetlands; includes mangrove swamps, nipah swamps and tidal freshwater swamp forests.
Zk(a) Karst and other subterranean hydrological systems, marine/coastal
Inland Wetlands:
Ts Seasonal / intermittent fresh water marshes/pools on inorganic soils; includes sloughs, potholes, seasonally flooded meadows, sedge marshes.
U Non-forested peatlands; includes shrub or open bogs, swamps, fens. Xp Forested peatlands; peatswamp forests.
Zk(b) Karst and other subterranean hydrological systems, inland.
Human-made Wetlands:
Zk(c) Karst and other subterranean hydrological systems, human-made.
Table 2 - Update Status of Ramsar Information Sheets (RIS) and Maps
Country Site Name AREA
(ha) Last RIS update Comments
Argentina Laguna Blanca 11,250 1992 RIS requires up-date. Laguna de Llancanelo 65,000 1995 RIS requires up-date. Laguna de los Pozuelos 16,224 1992 RIS requires up-date.
Reserva Costa
Atlántica de Tierra del Fuego
28,600 1995 RIS requires up-date.
Río Pilcomayo 55,000 1992 RIS requires up-date. Lagunas de Vilama 157,000 2000 Map requires up-date. Chile Humedal el Yali 520 1996 RIS requires up-date.
Laguna del Negro Francisco y Laguna
Santa Rosa
Country Site Name AREA
(ha) Last RIS update Comments
Salar de Surire 15,858 1996 RIS requires up-date. Salar de Tara 5,443 1996 RIS requires up-date. Salar del Huasco 6,000 1996 RIS requires up-date. Sistema hidrológico de
Soncor 5,016 1996 RIS requires up-date. Costa Rica Caño Negro 9,969 1991 RIS requires up-date. Gandoca-Manzanillo 9,445 1995 RIS requires up-date.
Humedal Caribe
Noreste 75,310 1996 RIS requires up-date. Tamarindo 500 1993 RIS requires up-date. Terraba-Sierpe 30,654 1995 RIS requires up-date. El Salvador Area Natural Protegida
Laguna del Jocotal 1,571 1999 Map requires up-date. Guatemala Refugio de Vida
Silvestre Bocas del Polochic
21,227 1996 RIS requires up-date.
Honduras Barras de Cuero y
Salado 13,225 1993 RIS and map require up-date.
Parque Nacional
Jeanette Kawas 78,150 1995 RIS and map require up-date. Refugio de Vida
Silvestre Punta Izopo 11,200 1996 RIS requires up-date. Panama Golfo de Montijo 80,765 1990 RIS and map require up-date.
Punta Patiño 13,805 1993 RIS and map require up-date. San San-Pond Sak 16,414 1993 RIS and map require up-date. Paraguay Estero Milagro 25,000 1995 RIS and map require up-date. Lago Ypoá 100,000 1995 RIS and map require up-date. Río Negro 370,000 1995 RIS and map require up-date. Tinfunque 280,000 1995 RIS and map require up-date. Peru Lago Titicaca (Peruvian
sector) 460,000 1996 RIS requires up-date. Paracas 335,000 1992 RIS and map require up-date. Pacaya-Samiria 2,080,000 1992 RIS and map require up-date. Lagunas de Mejía 691 2001 Map requires up-date. Reserva Nacional de
Junín 53,000 1996 RIS requires up-date. Santuario Nacional Los
Manglares de Tumbes 2,972 1996 RIS requires up-date. Zona Reservada Los
Pantanos de Villa 396 1996 RIS requires up-date. Venezuela Archipiélago Los
Roques 213,220 1996 RIS requires up-date. Ciénaga de Los
Olivitos 26,000 1996 RIS and map require up-date. Cuare 9,968 1991 RIS and map require up-date. Laguna de la Restinga 5,248 1996 RIS and map require up-date.
Table 3 – Neotropics Ramsar site list and management plan status
Country Site Name Area (ha) Total area
per country
(ha)
Manageme nt Plan
(MP)?
Additional comments
Argentina Bahía de
Samborombón 243,965 No MP currently not planned. Laguna Blanca 11,250 Yes No information available.
Laguna de
Llancanelo 65,000 No MP under preparation since 1995. Laguna de los
Pozuelos 16,224 Yes MP has received implementation support from Small Grants Fund and
Wetlands for the Future-funded projects.
Lagunas de
Guanacache 580,000 No MP under preparation. Lagunas de Vilama 157,000 Yes MP has received
implementation support from Small Grants Fund project and Wetlands for the Future project in the context of High Andean wetland areas.
Reserva Costa Atlántica de Tierra del Fuego
28,600 Yes MP under preparation.
Río Pilcomayo 55,000 No No information available. Jaaukanigás 492,000 No No information available. Lagunas y Esteros
del Iberá 24,550 Yes Part of integrated MP of Iberá macrosystem Bañados del Río
Dulce y Laguna de Mar Chiquita.
996,000 No No information available.
2,669,589
Bahamas Inagua National Park 32,600 No MP currently not planned.
32,600
Belize Crooked Tree
Wildlife Sanctuary 6,637 Yes No information available.
6,637
Bolivia Cuenca de Tajzara 5,500 Yes No information available. Lago Titicaca (Sector
Boliviano) 800,000 Yes Existing joint plan with Peru. Additional MP in development. Laguna Colorada 51,318 Yes No information available. Bañados de Izozog y
el Río Parapetí 615,882 Yes Partial Chaco National Park MP from Humedales del Palmar de la Islas y
las Salinas de San José
856,754 No No information available.
Pantanal Boliviano 3,189,888 Yes No information available. Laguna Concepción 31,124 No No information available. Lagos Poopó y Uru
Country Site Name Area (ha) Total area per country
(ha)
Manageme nt Plan
(MP)?
Additional comments
6,518,073
Brazil Baixada Maranhense Environmental
Protection Area
1,775,036 No No information available.
Ilha do Bananal 562,312 Yes MP for Araguaia (river) to be revised by end of 2002 Lagoa do Peixe 34,400 Yes MP almost fully implemented Mamirauá 1,124,000 Yes No information available. Pantanal
Matogrossense 135,000 Yes MP in final preparation phase Parque Estadual
Marinho do Parcel Manoel Luís
including the Baixios do Mestre Álvaro & Tarol
34,556 No No information available.
Reentrancias
Maranhenses 2,680,911 No No information available.
6,346,215
Chile Carlos Anwandter
Sanctuary 4,877 Yes Existing MP awaiting final approval by CONAF Humedal el Yali 520 No MP under preparation Laguna del Negro
Francisco y Laguna Santa Rosa
62,460 Yes MP part of Wildlife Protected Area
Salar de Surire 15,858 Yes MP part of Wildlife Protected Area
Salar de Tara 5,443 Yes MP part of Wildlife Protected Area
Salar del Huasco 6,000 No No information available. Sistema hidrológico
de Soncor 5,016 Yes MP part of Wildlife Protected Area
100,174
Colombia Laguna de la Cocha 39,000 Yes MP finalized in 2002. Sistema Delta
Estuarino del Río Magdalena, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta
400,000 Yes MP finalized in 2002, partly funded by Small Grants Fund project.
439,000
Costa Rica Caño Negro 9,969 Yes No information available. Cuenca Embalse
Arenal 67,296 Yes MP fully applied; implementation support given through Wetlands for the Future-funded projects. Gandoca-Manzanillo 9,445 Yes MP fully applied Humedal Caribe
Country Site Name Area (ha) Total area per country
(ha)
Manageme nt Plan
(MP)?
Additional comments
Laguna Respringue 75 No No MP – site within Santa Rosa National Park Manglar de Potrero
Grande 139 No No MP – site within Santa Rosa National Park Palo Verde 24,519 Yes MP currently being updated.
Implementation support given through Wetlands for the Future-funded project.
Tamarindo 500 No MP under preparation.
Terraba-Sierpe 30,654 Yes MP fully applied
317,530
Cuba Ciénaga de Zapata 452,000 Yes MP currently being revised.
452,000
Dominican
Republic Lago Enriquillo 20,000 No No information available.
20,000
Ecuador Abras de Mantequilla 22,500 No MP under preparation, with support from WWF. Isla Santay 4,705 No MP under preparation. La Segua 1,836 Yes No information available. Machalilla 14,430 Yes No information available. Manglares Churute 35,042 Yes No information available. Reserva Biológica
Limoncocha 4,613 No MP under preparation.
Laguna de Cube 113 Yes MP prepared with aid of WWF Living Waters Program. Refugio de Vida
Silvestre Isla Santa Clara
46 No No financial resources to undertake preparation.
83,285
El Salvador Area Natural
Protegida Laguna del Jocotal
1,571 Yes MP fully applied
1,571
Guatemala
Manchón-Guamuchal 13,500 No Private reserve. Parque Nacional
Laguna del Tigre 335,080 Yes MP fully applied Punta de Manabique 132,900 Yes MP fully applied Refugio de Vida
Silvestre Bocas del Polochic
21,227 Yes MP fully applied, has received implementation support from Small Grants Fund project.
502,707
Honduras Barras de Cuero y
Salado 13,225 Yes Preliminary MP from 1993. MP currently being finalized. Parque Nacional
Country Site Name Area (ha) Total area per country
(ha)
Manageme nt Plan
(MP)?
Additional comments
Silvestre Punta Izopo Sistema de
Humedales de la Zona Sur de Honduras
67,711 No MP under preparation
170,286
Jamaica Black River Lower
Morass 5,700 No Draft MP to be finished by March 2004. Preparation support received through project funded by Small Grants Fund.
5,700
Nicaragua Los Guatuzos 43,750 Yes Bureau recommends revision of MP
Lago de Apanás -
Asturias 5,415 No No information available. Sistema de
Humedales de la Bahía de Bluefields
86,501 No MP under preparation
Cayos Miskitos y Franja Costera Inmediata
85,000 Yes MP under revision
Deltas del Estero Real y Llanos de Apacunca
81,700 No No information available.
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Río San Juan
43,000 Yes No information available.
Sistemas Lacustres, Palustres y Riberinos del municipio de San Miguelito
43,475 No MP under preparation
Sistema Lagunar de
Tisma 16,850 No MP under preparation for part of site that is Nature Reserve
405,691
Panama Golfo de Montijo 80,765 No MP under preparation; site has annual operation plan.
Preparation support received through project funded by Small Grants Fund. Punta Patiño 13,805 Yes No information available. San San-Pond Sak 16,414 No MP under preparation; site has
annual operation plan
110,984
Paraguay Estero Milagro 25,000 No No information available. Lago Ypoá 100,000 No No information available. Río Negro 370,000 No No information available. Tinfunque 280,000 No No information available.
Country Site Name Area (ha) Total area per country
(ha)
Manageme nt Plan
(MP)?
Additional comments
Peru Lago Titicaca
(Peruvian sector) 460,000 Yes Existing joint plan with Peru. Master plan for Titicaca National Reserve currently being revised
Lagunas de Mejías 691 Yes MP received implementation support from project funded by Small Grants Fund
Pacaya Samiria 2,080,000 Yes No information available. Paracas 335,000 Yes Master Plan for Paracas Nature
reserve currently being revised Reserva Nacional de
Junín 53,000 Yes MP fully applied
Santuario Nacional Los Manglares de
Tumbes
2,972 Yes MP fully applied
Zona Reservada Los
Pantanos de Villa 396 Yes MP fully applied
Complejo de
Humedales del Abanico del río Pastaza
3,827,329 No No information available.
6,759,388
Saint Lucia Mankoté Mangrove 60 No No information available. Savannes Bay 25 No No information available.
85
Suriname Coppenamemonding 12,000 Yes Site is part of North Saramacca Area which has MP
12,000
Trinidad &
Tobago Nariva Swamp 6,234 Yes MP received preparation support through project funded by Small Grants Fund.
6,234
Uruguay Bañados del Este y
Franja Costera 407,408 Yes No information available.
407,408
Venezuela Archipiélago Los
Roques 213,220 Yes Site has Zoning Plan and Regulations for Use Ciénaga de Los
Olivitos 26,000 Yes Site has Zoning Plan and Regulations for Use
Cuare 9,968 Yes Site has Zoning Plan and
Regulations for Use Laguna de la
Restinga 5,248 Yes Site has Zoning Plan and Regulations for Use Laguna de Tacarigua 9,200 Yes Site has Zoning Plan and
Regulations for Use
263,636
