Image related to website content

World Wetlands Day and Ramsar Sites

7 Feb 2023 by Lonwabo Mkosi, Technical Assistant, Integrated Catchments

World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on the 2nd of February and is an outcome of the Ramsar Convention which took place in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971. This intergovernmental treaty provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and came into force in 1975. South Africa is one of 172 contracting parties to the convention and was one of the first member states to ratify the Convention.

World Wetlands Day is aimed at raising public awareness about wetlands and their value and provides an opportunity to challenge, discuss and share ideas in an open and safe platform with leaders, researchers, and politicians to support the uptake of an improved understanding of the ecosystem-based services provided by wetlands and the need to safeguard their ecological integrity. The celebration of World Wetlands Day is also an opportunity to encourage youth focus environmental education about wetlands and every year there are excellent learning support materials which can be found on the Ramsar website.

Wetlands are among South Africa’s most threatened ecosystems and provide essential ecological infrastructure. It is vital to take action towards the restoration of wetlands ecosystems and the theme for 2023 is Wetlands Restoration.

There are currently 28 Ramsar sites in South Africa with the most recent of these being the Berg Estuary on the West Coast of the Western Cape. The Western Cape hosts 10 Ramsar sites and CapeNature partners in managing seven of these: Verlorenvlei, Berg, Bot-Kleinmond, De Mond, De Hoop vlei, Dassen, Dyer and Geyser Islands (with Dyer and Geyser islands being managed as one site). The other Ramsar sites in the province are at Langebaan, Wilderness Lakes and False Bay Nature Reserve.

The Berg Estuary received Ramsar status a year ago and is an important coastal wetland in South Africa with fresh water flowing from the river and its floodplain mixing with marine water providing important habitat for water birds and fish. It is also a well-used recreational area and supports numerous commercial activities.

Image related to website content

The Bot- Kleinmond River estuary, showing the wetland water body which is a depressional system behind the dunes. Photo by Jean Trefson

The Bot-Kleinmond Estuarine System is in the coastal Southern African temperate area, within the Overberg West. This is also one of the most important wetland sites as it serves as a nursery for a number of fish species and houses a large community of waterbirds during dry summer months. Some impacts in the area include recreational fishing and boating, with the most significant impact being invasive alien species.

Image related to website content

The Berg Estuary System Ramsar site, along the West Coast of the Western Cape. Photo by Jean Trefson

Image related to website content

Verlorenvlei, a Ramsar site on the West Coast of the Western Cape, image taken in 2015. The vlei is currently mostly dry in the upper and lower reaches, at this time of the year. Photo by Kevin Shaw

Share:

Related News

Franco Three Fountains Nature Reserve Image 1
30 Jul 2025
New nature reserve secures rare Cape Vernal Pools habitat

The Franco Three Fountains Nature Reserve is declared a protected area, marking a significant conservation turning point as the first and only reserve dedicated to safeguarding the rare and ecologically important Cape Vernal Pools (a rare and endangered type of seasonal wetland ecosystem found within the Greater Cape Floristic Region). This unique vegetation type, previously unrepresented across our conservation areas, now finds its largest protected expanse within the boundaries of this reserve.

Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve Outdoors
28 Jul 2025
Biodiversity crime often overlooked but its impact is devastating

Biodiversity crime is a growing and often overlooked threat that directly harms South Africa’s unique ecosystems. From the illegal plant trade in the Western Cape to poaching and even picking wildflowers in protected areas without a permit, these acts all contribute to the degradation of biodiversity and the loss of crucial natural resources.

Minister Anton Bredell at EPWP Event July 2025 1
22 Jul 2025
New EPWP intake launches careers in conservation and eco-tourism in the Western Cape

CapeNature has welcomed 475 new participants into a three-year Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) cycle, emphasising its commitment to skills development, conservation, and community upliftment across the province.

A small cohort of these participants, based at Kogelberg and Stony Point Nature Reserves, were officially welcomed at an event hosted at Kogelberg and led by Western Cape Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell.

Anysberg Nature Reserve copyright Scott N Ramsay www yearinthewild com 40
14 Jul 2025
How biodiversity crime threatens the Western Cape’s people, economy, and ecosystems

Biodiversity crime may sound like something intangible compared to other crimes encountered on a daily basis in our lives, but it is a very real and growing threat to our planet’s delicate ecosystems. It includes any illegal activity that harms plants, animals, or the ecosystems they depend on from high-profile crimes like rhino poaching to illegal plant trade in the Western Cape. It can even be something as simple as picking wildflowers in a nature reserve without permission or a permit.

Leopard
10 Jul 2025
Young leopard dies after being caught in gin traps near Heidelberg

CapeNature can confirm the death of a young leopard following a call to assist in a rescue operation on 2 July in the Heidelberg area, near the World Heritage Site of Boosmansbos.

Officials discovered a young 13 kg male leopard, estimated to be around six months old, ensnared in two gin traps set adjacent to each other. One front paw and one hind leg were caught. Despite the best efforts of the rescue team, the leopard did not survive.

Whats App Image 2025 04 25 at 19 14 07 2
9 Jul 2025
Darwin200 Young Leaders & CapeNature Launch Inspiring Documentaries

Three DARWIN200 young leaders worked hand in hand with CapeNature to produce awe-inspiring and heartwarming videos on the Cape vulture colony of Potberg, the bontebok at De Hoop Nature Reserve and the invasive carp at Groenvlei. Click read more to watch the videos.