FEBRUARY 2 – WORLD DAY OF WETLANDS
Already six years on February 2 of each year World Day of Wetlands has been
celebrated. This date proceeds from signing of Convention on Wetlands on
February 2, 1971
in Ramsar, Iran.
Ramsar Convention or Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially
as Wildlife Habitat – this is the first international treaty on natural
resources conservation and effective use.
Main Convention objectives are following: adjust inventory of all wetlands
of international importance and widen their list at the expense of poorly
studied
wetlands, promote legislation of wetlands conservation as well as development
of management plans and mechanisms of economical nature use regulation. One of
the most important tasks is scientifically grounded monitoring of wetlands. Lands
included in Inventory of Wetlands of International Importance, created within
framework of Convention, are called Ramsar wetlands.
Ramsar criteria are based on 4 basic parameters:
1) criterion of unique nature or representativeness (typical character for
given
landscape or area),
2) general criteria based on plants and animals,
3) special criteria based on waterfowls (for example, regular support of
existence of about 20 000 waterfowls at least in one of basic seasons (wintering
ground, nesting,
flight, molt),
4) criteria based on fish.
Ramsar wetlands can consist of sea/coastal, inland, and anthropogenic wetlands.
Presently more than 100 states have joined Ramsar Convention.
Important role in conservation of migratory waterfowls belongs to African-Euroasian
Migratory Waterbird Agreement, AEWA, 1999), initiator of which was The Netherlands.
This agreement is continuation at regional level of Convention on Conservation
of Migratory Species of Animals and Birds (Bonn Convention, 1979) and Ramsar
Convention. It covers also those sites, which are not included in Ramsar Inventory,
and can be used by migratory waterfowls during short period of time. To supplement
both international conventions AEWA is the important instrument for conservation
of valuable and rare migratory waterfowls.
On 8th Conference of Parties (CP-8) of Ramsar Convention on wetlands held on
18-26 of November 2002 in Valencia, Spain, as Iran has proposed, decision was
made on establishment of regional Ramsar Center on training and research in field
of wetlands in West and Central Asia.
In 2003 World Day of Wetlands was celebrated under motto “No wetlands -
no water!”.
Please, see details in site www.ramsar.org
ABOUT VISIT OF CENTRAL-ASIAN SCIENTISTS MISSION IN FRANCE
Mission of Central-Asian scientists: SIC ICWC Director, Prof. V.A. Dukhovny,
external economic enterprise «SXSITM» A.I. Tuchin, «SXSITM» Deputy
Director K.V. Gromyko, Head of RWM SIC ICWC Division A.G. Sorokin, visited France
from 24 to 27 of February 2003 to introduce with experience of French experts
work in field of wetlands management.
The Mission visited BRGM (Bureau on Research of Geology and Mining ), COSEL (Scientific
Commission on study of Longidok-Russillion province coastal zone), EID (Interdepartmental
organization on control of sand flies), where acquainted with structural construction
and basic trends of their activity.
BRGM was founded in 1959 to activate geological exploration researches and
mineral product mining. Its Central Office is located in Orleans. Presently
Bureau reoriented
its activity to water issues field. Basic activity aspects are:
- research and project grants, public relations,
- commerce.
In French Research Program on Wetlands (PNRZH, 1997-2001) with budget 16.10
mln francs 20 projects were implemented with involvement of 126 teams and 300
scientific
and technical experts. Program objective – provision of wetlands managers
by tools and methodologies on conservation, management, and rehabilitation of
wetlands.
In total in France there are 9 types of wetlands – swamp lands, upland
(peat moss bog), small lakes, saucer lakes, coastal ponds, waterlogged lands,
agricultural lands, delta lakes, and lagoons. Grounding for classification of
wetlands was main features of hydrologic regimes.
Attention to problem of wetlands was caused by that that by 1995 about 50%
of
wetlands in France had been lost. Important result of this program implementation
was state and local administration bodies’ awareness of role of wetlands
in maintenance of ecological state of environment. In result practice emerged,
when state buys out private lands located on wetlands area and transfers them
under aegis of institutions involved in management and conservation of wetlands.
Network of supporting wetlands with permanent committees on transfer of experience
in their rehabilitation and management. Moreover, for observation of wetlands’ state
steering committees are organized, and also training is conducted for people
participating in management by wetlands and lagoons.
COSEL consists of 9 organizations, including BRGM, EPHE (Ecological School),
Universities of Montpelier, Paris as well as 9 different agencies.
COSEL carries out scientific and practical work on lagoons, which total
area
reaches 40 000 ha and adjacent wetlands with total area 50 000 ha.
EID establishment in 1960 was related to development of tourism, which demanded
comfort conditions, including protection from sand flies that in 60-ties reached
big number. Organization staff accounts 50 persons controlling 300 km of coastal
zone. Basic activity trends are search of optimal measures on sand fly control,
meeting following requirements:
- economic effectiveness,
- minimal environmental damage.
Sand fly control is based on early identification of zones of accumulation
of
sand fly laying places and maggots and their liquidation with using “soft” pesticides.
Special attention is paid to strict localization of disinfecting zones and
prevention of pesticides proliferation beyond disinfected zone limits.
EID conducts wide educational work with local population and tourists, issues
regularly specific literature dedicated to biology of sand flies, their spreading,
methods of individual protection and control.
Problems of lagoons in France SIEL syndicate (Syndicat Intercommunal des Etangs
Littoraux). It includes all Mediterranean coastal zone of France and Corsica
island. Syndicate has 3 permanent representatives and 2 representatives in each
municipality. Syndicate doesn’t carry out own research works, but, if necessary,
orders their fulfillment.
Mission also visited Longidok Water Problems Institute (ILEE).
Institute collective consists of 220 experts, including 90 certified scientists.
Institute has well equipped chemical laboratory, library with wide set of
specific books and access via Internet that allow request for books practically
from
any scientific world library.
This organization has broad international relations and works in various
world regions. Basic aspects of Institute activity is study of:
1. Climatic phenomena impact on environment:
- climate impact on water quality,
- hydrological modeling.
2. Ground water, including mine water.
3. Water pollution:
- pollution diagnostic,
- origin,
- pollution dynamics,
- risk assessment,
- bio-protecting processes,
- recommendations on pollution preventing.
4. Assessment of water resources and environmental risks from:
- floods,
- agricultural pollution,
- technical accidents and disasters.
RESULTS OF WORKS ON ACTIVITY «ON-FARM WATER PRODUCTIVITY» OF «IWRM-FERGHANA» PROJECT
In February 2003 regarding activity “On-farm water productivity” of
project “Integrated Water Resources Management in Ferghana Valley” it
was fulfilled:
Technicians and monitors of demonstration plots in farms of Sogd, Andizhan,
Ferghana, and Osh oblasts have received “Journals of field works” for
account of data on water use and agronomic and technical measures, field certificates
of demonstration plots, recommended individual technological schemes of agronomic
and reclamation works.
Examination of selected private farms, demonstration plots was conducted. Together
with technicians and monitors correction of technological schemes of agronomic
and reclamation works was conducted according to agronomic and reclamation
measures implemented and planned in the nearest future, execution dates were
agreed. In private farm Nozima (Ferghana oblast) geodetic survey and design
of leveling works were conducted. Presently leveling has been started.
On demonstration plots of selected private farms (P/f #21, Br. #2, Sayod) of
Sogd oblast field studies on defining water-physical soil properties were conducted.
For this purpose soil cuts were put at depth to 2.5 m, morphological description
of genetic horizons was carried out. On genetic horizons volumetric soil mass,
initial field humidity were determined, monoliths were selected for definition
of mechanical soil composition, soil moisture humidity values under pF 2.0
and pF 4,2, appropriate for maximal field moisture capacity and wilting point,
design of available soil moisture.
V INTERNATIONAL SCEINTIFIC-INDUSTRIAL FORUM «GREAT RIVERS»
V International Scientific-Industrial Forum «Great Rivers» and
international exhibition «Clean Water» will take place in Nizhny
Novgorod on May 20-23, 2003.
Thematic of exhibition:
- Water resources conservation.
- Primary water treatment, water supply, water diversion: equipment, technologies,
materials, devices.
- Equipment for basin, sauna, fountains.
- Ecologically clean drinking water.
See details on site:
www.yarmarka.ru
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