Wetland management

In order to gain further experience on rights-based approaches (RBAs) to conservation, the project focused on undertaking a situation analysis in the Xe Champhone Ramsar Site in Lao PDR. It examined the under-researched issue of customary law governing natural resources, including its relationship with statutory law. This publication summarizes and analyses the findings of the field work.

This report presents insights on both critical water-related ecosystem services and also on the wider ecosystem services from wetlands. The objective is encourage additional policy momentum, business commitment, and investment in the conservation, restoration, and wise use of wetlands. The report seeks to show how recognising, demonstrating, and capturing the values of ecosystem services related to water and wetlands can lead to better informed, more efficient, and fairer decision making.

A publication showcasing successful bog and some fen restoration projects across the UK was recently launched. A variety of case studies illustrate opportunities for restoration and sustainable management as well as innovative ways of engaging people in conservation action for bogs. This publication was launched at the symposium 'Investing in Peatlands - Demonstrating Success' jointly hosted with the British Ecological Society.

The purpose of the current report is to provide baseline information to the project staff and partners, to facilitate subsequent working steps, such as stakeholder consultations, climate risk and vulnerability assessments, and the prioritisation of adaptation options. The report has been compiled based on accessible secondary data. In depth stakeholders’ consultations and firsthand data collection were not undertaken as part of the report preparation.

The Xe Champhone wetlands in Savannakhet Province is one of two wetlands designated as Ramsar sites upon Lao PDR’s accession to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in 2010. Initial steps have been taken to set up a Ramsar committee tasked with managing the site. However, to date, the only conservation activities that have occurred at the site to date have been a very small selection of international donor funded projects.

The Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands complex in Champassak Province is one of two wetlands designated as Ramsar sites upon Lao PDR’s accession to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in 2010. Initial steps have already been taken to set up the instructional structure for site governance. However, much more work will be required to implement conservation activities on the ground and to put into place a long term conservation plan for the site.

This IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands presents one of the most extensive assessments of peatlands undertaken in the UK to date. It identifies the state and value of peatland ecosystems and develops ways to safeguard and restore their natural capital.