important plant areas in central and eastern europe - hirc.botanic.hr ...

Section 7References:Ramsar Convention website and database(www.ramsar.org)Wetlands International website(www.wetlands.org)IPAs and the Ramsar Convention on wetlandsContextThe Ramsar Convention (adopted in 1971) is an intergovernmental treaty, whichprovides the framework for national action and international cooperation on theconservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The term ‘wetland’ includesmarsh, fen, peatland, water, and marine water less than six metres at low tide.To date141 countries are signatories of the convention, including all of the seven partnercountries in this project.The current guidelines contain four criteria that include plantsand plant communities.Criterion 1: rare, representative or unique example of natural or near-natural wetlandtype within appropriate biogeographic regionCriterion 2: vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered species or threatenedecological communityCriterion 3: populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintainingbiological diversity of a particular biogeographic regionCriterion 4: supports plants and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles,or provides refuge during adverse conditionsFull description of criteria at www.ramsar.orgIPAs and RamsarIn the seven partner countries in this project there are currently 42 RAMSAR sites, 78IPAs are found within the boundaries of these RAMSAR sites.224 IPAs (28%) contain threatened mire, bog and fen habitats197 IPAs (25%) contain threatened inland water habitats74 IPAs (9%) contain threatened coastal and halophytic habitatsA frog emerges from the leaves ofSpirodella polyrhiza and Salvinia natans.96