Thesis for Master of Science, Environmental Studies, Planning and Management. LSU 2005. Ramsar Convention Application to the Louisiana Coastal Zone Wetlands.

Sunday, May 15, 2005

"Complex" designation


Ramsar report for Connecticut River Estuary and Tidal River Wetlands Complex
Country: United states of america Ramsar Site No.: 710
Region: North America Wetlands International Site Reference No.: 4US014



General and Geographical site information:

Subregion: Northern America
Geographical position: Marine & coastal wetlands
Designation Date: 14-10-1994
Coordinates of site center (degrees): 41°15'N 072°18'W
Coordinates of site center (decimal lat long):41,25 -72,30
Total site area: 6484 hectares
Transboundary: no
Boundary changes: yes, has expanded
Number of separate units: 20
Administrative region: Connecticut
Information on Conservational Issues:

Management plan status:
  • Implemented/ing approved site-specific plan/measures

    International conservation designation:
  • no other international designation besides Ramsar

    National conservation designation:
  • wildlife management areas
  • state parks

    Ramsar criteria:
  • 1 2 3 4 7 8

  • Uses and Threats:

    Current land use:
    Within the site's surroundings/catchment:

    Within the Ramsar site:
  • Tourism (unspecified)
  • Recreation (unspecified)
  • Birdwatching
  • Recreational/sport hunting
  • Commercial hunting
  • Recreational/sport fishing
  • Commercial fishing

    Threats:
    Within the site's surroundings/catchment:
  • Introduction/invasion of exotic plant species

    Within the Ramsar site:
  • Sedimentation/siltation
  • Introduction/invasion of exotic plant species
  • Introduction/invasion of exotic animal species

    Social and cultural values:
  • Tourism
  • Non-consumptive recreation
  • Sport hunting
  • Archaeological/historical site
  • Sport fishing
  • Aesthetic

    Land tenure/ownership:
    Site's surroundings:

    Within the Ramsar site:
  • Provincial/region/state
  • Private owner(s)
  • Foundation/non-governmental organisation/trust
  • Local authority, municipality, (sub)district, etc

    Ecological Changes:
  • Less significant negative changes are occurring

  • Ecological Data:

    Wetland Category:
  • Inland wetlands
  • Marine & coastal wetlands

    Wetland Type (dominant type in bold):
  • Freshwater, tree-dominated wetlands; includes freshwater swamp forest, seasonally flooded forest, wooded swamps; on inorganic soils (Xf)
  • Seasonal/intermittent freshwater marshes/pools on inorganic soil; includes sloughs, potholes, seasonally flooded meadows, sedge marshes (Ts)
  • Permanent freshwater marshes/pools; ponds (below 8 ha), marshes and swamps on inorganic soils; with emergent vegetation water-logged for at least most of the growing season (Tp)
  • Seasonal/intermittent saline/brackish/alkaline marshes/ pools (Ss)
  • Permanent saline/brackish/alkaline marshes/pools (Sp)
  • Seasonal/intermittent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha); includes floodplain lakes (P)
  • Permanent freshwater lakes (over 8 ha); includes large oxbow lakes (O)
  • Permanent rivers/streams/creeks; includes waterfalls (M)
  • Intertidal marshes; includes salt marshes, salt meadows, saltings, raised salt marshes; includes tidal brackish and freshwater marshes (H)
  • Intertidal mud, sand or salt flats (G)
  • Estuarine waters; permanent water of estuaries and estuarine systems of deltas (F)
  • Sand, shingle or pebble shores; includes sandbars, spits and sandy islets; includes dune systems and humid dune slacks (E)
  • Marine subtidal aquatic beds; includes kelp beds, sea-grass beds, tropical marine meadows (B)

    Biological Values:
    Fauna type:
  • important for reproduction of fishes
  • waterbird wintering/non-breeding/dry season area
  • staging area for migratory waterbird species
  • roosting area for waterbirds
  • supports rare/endangered species
  • breeding area for waterbirds
  • important for invertebrates
  • important for fishes
  • the wetland provides a critical link in a major food chain
  • outstanding variety of species present

    Flora type:
  • supports rare/endangered species
  • outstanding variety of species present
  • outstanding example of a particular plant community


  • Physical Data:

    Permanence:
  • Usually permanent



  • Hydrological values:
  • Maintenance of water quality (removal of nutrients)

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