Appendix 3: Candidate Ecological Benchmark

Source Type: Laws or Policies (and related guidelines)

Source Name: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Number: 41/39

Benchmark:
Wetlands have fundamental ecological functions, as regulators of water regimes and as habitats supporting a rich biodiversity;

Wetlands constitute a resource of great economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value that should be maintained;

Progressive encroachment on, and loss of, wetlands constitute a serious and sometimes irreparable environmental damage that must be avoided;

Wetlands should be restored and rehabilitated, whenever possible;

Wetlands should be conserved by ensuring their wise use, defined as "sustainable utilization for the benefit of mankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem."

Applies to whom: Signatories to the Convention

Applies to what: All wetlands

Applies where: Member States, incl. Canada

Reference:
Ramsar Bureau. No date. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Key documents containing Convention text on the Web [ http://www.ramsar.org/index_key_docs.htm#conv]. Accessed December 2000.

Evaluation:

Effective: 2

Effective Comments:
General statements that support importance of this ecosystem relative to factors in determining adverse effects; caution re potential for severe, widespread, irreversible effects; vague terms such as "should be conserved" and "maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem." In and of itself, cannot help to resolve individual cases, but may support more specific guidelines.

Authoritative: 5

Authoritative Comments: International agreement

Relevant: 5

Relevant Comments: Most

Sound: 5

Sound Comments: Statements based on scientific knowledge

Straightforward: 2

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 3

Practical Comments: Functional assessment required

Total Effective + Authority Score: 7

Total Overall Score: 22

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