Appendix 2-2 



Guidelines 



A wetland could be considered for selection under Criterion 1 if: 



(a) It is an example of a type rare or unusual in the appropriate 

 biogeographical region; 



or (b) it is a particularly good representative example of a wetland 

 characteristic of the appropriate region; 



or (c) it is a particularly good representative of a common type where 

 the site also qualifies for consideration under criteria 2a, 2b, or 

 2c; 



or (d) it is representative of a type by virtue of being part of a complex 

 of high quality wetland habitats. A wetland of national value 

 could be considered of international importance if it has a 

 substantial hydrological, biological or ecological role in the 

 functioning of an international river basin or coastal system; 



or (e) in developing countries, it is a wetland which, because of its 

 outstanding hydrological, biological or ecological role, is of 

 substantial socioeconomic and cultural value within the 

 framework of sustainable use and habitat conservation. 



INFORMATION ON WISE USE OF WETLANDS SPECIFIED 

 UNDER ARTICLE 3 OF THE RAMSAR CONVENTION 



Definition of wise use: 



"The wise use of wetlands is their sustainable utilization for benefit of 

 humankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural 

 properties of the ecosystem." 



Sustainable utilization is defined as "human use of a wetland so that it 

 may yield the greatest continuous benefit to present generations while 

 maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future 

 generations." 



Natural properties of the ecosystem are defined as "those physical, biolog- 

 ical or chemical components, such as soil, water, plants, animals and 

 nutrients, and the interactions between them." 



Guidelines 



Wise use involves the promotion of wetland policies containing the 

 following elements: 



(a) a national inventory of wetlands; 



(b) identification of the benefits and values of these wetlands; 



