Capacity for sustainable management of wetlands: Lessons from the WETwin project

Abstract The paper discusses the application of a method to analyze the capacity for management of wetland resources. The method consists of a framework with a set of indicators to analyze the presence and effectiveness of formal regulations and procedures, and relevant informal mechanisms for wetland management. The set of indicators is designed based on internationally recognized objectives and ‘good practices’ for wetland management given in the Ramsar Convention guidelines. The guidelines advise on which policies and authorities should be in place, and which actions should be taken in order to use wetland resources sustainably. Evaluation is seen as ‘measuring’ the closeness between the real wetland management system and recommendations given in the guidelines. In the current study, experts were asked to categorize developed indicators for three cases into three classes (high, medium and low capacity). Analysis of these case studies indicates that overall capacity for wetland management is insufficient in Gemenc floodplain (Hungary) and Ga-Mampa wetland (South Africa), and highly insufficient in Nabajjuzi and Namatala wetlands (Uganda). The capacities in these wetland sites are strongest at the policy level and weakest at local level, where policies are to be implemented. In these locations there is a mix of new formal legislation and procedures, having been put in place recently, and informal instruments and planning/management practices from the past, which are still used by wetland managers and stakeholders. Capacity of the wetland management systems to deal with changes such as climate change appeared to be limited. Thus, all the studied wetland sites require an improved capacity as an integral part of wetland management. It is recommended that the wetland managers select future actions that consider a gradual approach that accounts for their capabilities and local institutions. Such an approach can result in a progressive strengthening of actions over time with the overall objective to bring the wetland degradation to a halt.