Human culture and its evolving place in the Ramsar Convention

Human societies have evolved in essential association with the presence of water, and both the practical and symbolic significance of wetland environments is deeply embedded in many belief systems, customs, values and attitudes. While wetland conservation regimes strive to base themselves on the best available ecological and hydrological insights, truly sustainable strategies depend just as much on understanding societal factors, Indigenous knowledge, community traditions and contemporary advances in transdisciplinary research. In recent years, the Ramsar Convention has developed principles and guidance to help governments, and others integrate these dimensions into their work, supported by the Ramsar Culture Network. This chapter reviews the issues and presents case examples covering a range of wetland habitats, species and regions of the world, including both ancient and contemporary instances.