Ramsar Wetlands in the Carolinas
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands “is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.”
More information available at
ramsar.org
The Convention is committed to designating sites that meet the criteria for identifying “Wetlands of International Importance” for the Ramsar List. These criteria include representative, rare, or unique wetland types and eight additional criteria reflect the Convention’s emphasis on conserving biological diversity, often through conservation of habitats that are important to waterfowl and other aquatic or semiaquatic plant and animal species[1]. Since the Convention was signed in 1975, 172 “Contracting Parties” (e.g., countries[2]) have identified over 2,400 Wetlands of International Importance[3] worldwide, covering more than 2.5 million square kilometers.
The Carolina Wetlands Association has submitted an application for Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge to be designated as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Significance. The application is currently under consideration.
The Ramsar Convention also recognizes the importance of peatlands for climate change mitigation and has called upon countries “to minimize the degradation, as well as promote restoration, and improve management practices of those peatlands and other wetland types that are significant carbon stores, or have the ability to sequester carbon”.
There are currently two Ramsar Convention wetlands in the Carolinas, both in South Carolina, and a candidate (proposed) Ramsar site in North Carolina. All three of these wetlands are recognized as Wetland Treasures of the Carolinas by the Carolina Wetland Association.
Francis Beidler Forest
Location: Audubon wildlife sanctuary, and a National Natural Landmark in South Carolina.
Wetland Type: riverine swamp forest
Interesting Facts:
- Home to the world’s largest remaining virgin stand of bald cypress and tupelo gum trees
- Supports several threatened and/or vulnerable plant and animal species
- Favored by hundreds of thousands of birds that migrate to Beidler Forest after overwintering in South America
Stressors: logging, farm runoff, and urban sprawl
More information:
Congaree National Park
Location: Congaree National Park is located approximately 20 miles from downtown Columbia, SC in the community of Hopkins/Gadsden, SC.
Wetland Type: Bottomland Hardwood Forest
Interesting Facts:
- Largest remaining example of old-growth eastern bottomland hardwood forest in North America
- Supports a variety of waterfowl and plants and animals subject protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
- Has one of the highest U.S. wintering bird densities
- Contains 56 species of fish (almost 40% of South Carolina’s freshwater fish species)
Recreational amenities: hiking, fishing, birdwatching, canoeing, and camping
More Information:
Pocosin Lakes NWR
The Carolina Wetlands Association has applied for nomination of Pocosin Lakes to the Ramsar List[1].
Location: Located on the Albemarle-Pamlico peninsula in eastern North Carolina.
Wetland Type: Pocosin (peatlands) wetlands include the largest peat areas and sequestered carbon repositories on the east coast.
Interesting Facts:
- Over 10,000 years old and contain peat deposits up to 15 feet thick with over 325 million metric tons of sequestered carbon[2].
- More than a hundred thousand ducks, geese, and swans congregate in the winter on the refuge
- Supports one of the densest populations of black bear ever reported.
- Hosts one of the country’s largest wetland restoration projects, with the goals to optimize carbon sequestration and prevent costly peat fires by restoring the natural hydrology of the pocosin peatlands, which otherwise may be threatened as agricultural ditches and drains dry out the peat.
More Information:
[1] Carolina Wetlands Association, Duke University Wetlands Center, NC Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Congress are working together to get nomination and acceptance of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge as a Ramsar site.
[2] Personal communication with Dr. Curt Richardson, Duke University Wetlands Center, based on data from Ingram and Otte, 1982, and other sources
Footnotes:
[1] https://ramsar.org/about/the-convention-on-wetlands-and-its-mission
[2] Contracting Parties are expected to manage their Ramsar Sites so as to maintain their ecological character and retain their essential functions and values for future generations.
[3] Ramsar wetland designation include lakes and rivers.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands “is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.”
More information available at
ramsar.org
The Convention is committed to designating sites that meet the criteria for identifying “Wetlands of International Importance” for the Ramsar List. These criteria include representative, rare, or unique wetland types and eight additional criteria reflect the Convention’s emphasis on conserving biological diversity, often through conservation of habitats that are important to waterfowl and other aquatic or semiaquatic plant and animal species[1]. Since the Convention was signed in 1975, 172 “Contracting Parties” (e.g., countries[2]) have identified over 2,400 Wetlands of International Importance[3] worldwide, covering more than 2.5 million square kilometers.
[1] https://ramsar.org/about/the-convention-on-wetlands-and-its-mission
[2] Contracting Parties are expected to manage their Ramsar Sites so as to maintain their ecological character and retain their essential functions and values for future generations.
[3] Ramsar wetland designation include lakes and rivers.
The Carolina Wetlands Association has submitted an application for Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge to be designated as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Significance. The application is currently under consideration
The Ramsar Convention also recognizes the importance of peatlands for climate change mitigation and has called upon countries “to minimize the degradation, as well as promote restoration, and improve management practices of those peatlands and other wetland types that are significant carbon stores, or have the ability to sequester carbon”.
There are currently two Ramsar Convention wetlands in the Carolinas, both in South Carolina, and a candidate (proposed) Ramsar site in North Carolina. All three of these wetlands are recognized as Wetland Treasures of the Carolinas by the Carolina Wetland Association.
Francis Beidler Forest
Location: Audubon wildlife sanctuary, and a National Natural Landmark in South Carolina.
Wetland Type: riverine swamp forest
Interesting Facts:
- Home to the world’s largest remaining virgin stand of bald cypress and tupelo gum trees
- Supports several threatened and/or vulnerable plant and animal species
- Favored by hundreds of thousands of birds that migrate to Beidler Forest after overwintering in South America
Stressors: logging, farm runoff, and urban sprawl
More information:
Congaree National Park
Location: Congaree National Park is located approximately 20 miles from downtown Columbia, SC in the community of Hopkins/Gadsden, SC.
Wetland Type: Bottomland Hardwood Forest
Interesting Facts:
- Largest remaining example of old-growth eastern bottomland hardwood forest in North America
- Supports a variety of waterfowl and plants and animals subject protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
- Has one of the highest U.S. wintering bird densities
- Contains 56 species of fish (almost 40% of South Carolina’s freshwater fish species)
Recreational amenities: hiking, fishing, birdwatching, canoeing, and camping
More Information:
Pocosin Lakes NWR
The Carolina Wetlands Association has applied for nomination of Pocosin Lakes to the Ramsar List[1].
Location: Located on the Albemarle-Pamlico peninsula in eastern North Carolina.
Wetland Type: Pocosin (peatlands) wetlands include the largest peat areas and sequestered carbon repositories on the east coast.
Interesting Facts:
- Over 10,000 years old and contain peat deposits up to 15 feet thick with over 325 million metric tons of sequestered carbon[2].
- More than a hundred thousand ducks, geese, and swans congregate in the winter on the refuge
- Supports one of the densest populations of black bear ever reported.
- Hosts one of the country’s largest wetland restoration projects, with the goals to optimize carbon sequestration and prevent costly peat fires by restoring the natural hydrology of the pocosin peatlands, which otherwise may be threatened as agricultural ditches and drains dry out the peat.
More Information:
[1] Carolina Wetlands Association, Duke University Wetlands Center, NC Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Congress are working together to get nomination and acceptance of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge as a Ramsar site.
[2] Personal communication with Dr. Curt Richardson, Duke University Wetlands Center, based on data from Ingram and Otte, 1982, and other sources
Mailing Address
Carolina Wetlands Association
PO Box 3359
Raleigh, NC 27636
Mailing Address
Carolina Wetlands Association
PO Box 3359
Raleigh, NC 27636
Mailing Address
Carolina Wetlands Association
PO Box 3359
2Raleigh, NC 27636
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