Guidelines for the Rapid Ecological Assessment - Convention on ...

GUIDELINES FOR THE RAPID ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF BIODIVERSITY IN INLAND WATER, COASTAL AND MARINE AREAS
5. WHEN IS RAPID ASSESSMENT APPROPRIATE?
<strong>Rapid</strong> assessment is one of a suite of tools and responses that Parties can use <strong>for</strong> assessing wetlands. Not
all types of data and in<strong>for</strong>mation needed <strong>for</strong> full wetland inventory and assessment can be collected
through rapid assessment methods. However, it is generally possible to collect some initial in<strong>for</strong>mation on
all generally used inventory and assessment core data fields, although <strong>for</strong> some, rapid assessment can only
yield preliminary results with a low level of confidence. Such types of data and in<strong>for</strong>mation can, however,
be used to identify where more detailed follow-up assessments may be needed if resources permit.
A summary of core data fields <strong>for</strong> inventory and assessment of biophysical and management features of
wetlands, derived from that in Ramsar Resolution VIII.6, and <strong>the</strong> general quality of in<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>for</strong> each
which can be ga<strong>the</strong>red through rapid assessment, is provided in Table 1.
Table 1. Adequacy of data and in<strong>for</strong>mation quality which can at least partly be collected through “rapid
assessment” field survey methods <strong>for</strong> wetland inventory and assessment core data fields <strong>for</strong> biophysical
and management features of wetlands. (Derived from Ramsar Resolution VIII.6)
BIOPHYSICAL FEATURES
Site name (official name of site and catchment)
Area and boundary (size and variation, range and average values) *
Location (projection system, map coordinates, map centroid, elevation) *
Geomorphic setting (where it occurs within <strong>the</strong> landscape, linkage with o<strong>the</strong>r
aquatic habitat, biogeographical region) *
General description (shape, cross-section and plan view)
Climate – zone and major features
Soil (structure and colour)
Water regime (e.g. periodicity, extent of flooding and depth, source of surface
water and links with groundwater)
Water chemistry (e.g. salinity, pH, colour, transparency, nutrients)
Biota (vegetation zones and structure, animal populations and distribution, special
features including rare/endangered species)
Management features
Land use — local, and in <strong>the</strong> river basin and/or coastal zone
Pressures on <strong>the</strong> wetland - within <strong>the</strong> wetland and in <strong>the</strong> river basin and/or coastal zone
Land tenure and administrative authority — <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> wetland, and <strong>for</strong> critical parts
of <strong>the</strong> river basin and/or coastal zone
Conservation and management status of <strong>the</strong> wetland — including legal instruments
and social or cultural traditions that influence <strong>the</strong> management of <strong>the</strong> wetland
Ecosystem benefits/services derived from <strong>the</strong> wetland - including products, functions
and attributes and,where possible,<strong>the</strong>ir benefits/services to human well-being
Management plans and monitoring programmes — in place and planned within
<strong>the</strong> inland water and in <strong>the</strong> river basin and/or coastal zone
ADEQUACY OF DATA QUALITY COLLECTED
THROUGH “RAPID ASSESSMENT”
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
* These features can usually be derived from topographical maps or remotely sensed images, especially aerial photographs.
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