Ramsar's Fact Sheets on Wetland Ecosystem Services now available

Greetings CEPA list members:

I am happy to announce the availability of a new set of fact sheets on Wetland Ecosystem Services produced by the Ramsar Secretariat. Many years ago we produced fact sheets on the Functions and Values of wetlands. These proved to be very popular so we have now re-produced them with updated information and using the currently recognised term 'ecosystem services' - the benefits people obtain from wetland ecosystems.

The introductory sheet sets the scene and the 10 fact sheets cover:

1 Flood control
2 Groundwater replenishment
3 Shoreline stabilisation & storm protection
4 Sediment & nutrient retention and export
5 Water purification
6 Reservoirs of biodiversity
7 Wetland products
8 Cultural values
9 Recreation & tourism
10 Climate change mitigation and adaptation

To assist you in your communication efforts about wetland values, we have included specific examples of US-dollar values from real-life situations wherever possible - these illustrate why ecologists, economists and experts in sustainable development are all highlighting the need to protect wetlands. As further assistance, we have added a data sources sheet that allows you to hotlink directly to the sources of the information in each fact sheet. Finally, we will soon be making the design files available for translation and customization for your own country/situation so that you can add specific relevant examples and perhaps replace some of the illustrative images with your own more relevant ones.

You can download all the files in PDF format from our web site here http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-pubs-info-ecosystem-services/main/ramsar/1-30-103%5E24258_4000_0__. Higher-resolution PDFs suitable for printing and photocopying are available now on request from the Ramsar Secretariat: ramsar@ramsar.org. If you would like the design files when they are available please also write to ramsar@ramsar.org. We are in the process of printing the sheets and will make an announcement when these are available.

And just one more thing - all of this is available in French and Spanish as well as English.

With best wishes, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat
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Sandra HAILS
CEPA Programme Officer
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
hails@ramsar.org
Tel: +41 22 9990176
Fax: +41 22 9990169
www.ramsar.org (go to Activities > CEPA Programme)