Spain and China exchange experiences on the conservation and management of wetlands

From http://iagua.es/2011/05/espana-y-china-intercambian-experiencias-en-el-campo-de-la-conservacion-y-gestion-de-los-humedales (in Spanish), with special thanks to Alejandro Maceira Rozados, owner and webmaster at iAgua.es. Source: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino.

The Spanish Ministry of Environment, and Rural and Marine Environments, through the Directorate-General of Environment and Forest Policy have met representatives of the Chinese government and of several Chinese provinces to exchange experiences in the field of the conservation and management of wetlands, with selected practical cases from Spain and Germany.

The director of the Spanish National Park Organization, Mrs. Olga Baniandrés, explained the organization of the Network of Spanish National Parks and specifically the functions that the Autonomous Communities and the State Administration have on the two National Parks considered as wetlands (Parque Nacional de Doñana and Parque Nacional Tablas de Daimiel). She also presented information about the Network of the Spanish Biosphere Reserves.

The guidelines of the Spanish policy of wetlands conservation and management have also been presented in this meeting, with special emphasis on the actions undertaken for the compliance of the Ramsar Convention for the protection of Wetlands of International Importance, of which both Spain and China are active members. Specific management actions and case studies of restoration of wetlands were also explained.

Both parties have expressed their interest in the promotion of the cooperation on this issue, since wetlands are one of the Earth's most threatened habitats that are essential for the survival of the migratory birds. Conservation of wetlands needs of the international cooperation and of the state-of-the-art knowledge and techniques.

This meeting was preceded by visits to some of the most important Spanish wetlands, such as Doñana or L'Albufera de Valencia. The field visits allowed for a better understanding of the difficulties associated with the conservation of wetlands and the human activities in their surroundings. Special emphasis has been made on the analysis of the compatibility of natural areas with industrial, agricultural and touristic activities and the use of natural resources.