Implementing the Ramsar convention in Tanzania salient features of legislation and policies for the management and conservation of wetlands.

Abstract

Wetlands are basically units oflandscapes that occur in different kinds of locations andmay have a presence of static or flowing water. They are known by different names throughout the world. They are in essence water-based ecosystems at the interface between aquatic and terrestrial habitats and support a wide variety of plant and animal life. Wetlands, therefore, comprise of places where water, soil and air, among other things, interact to produce wetland vegetation at a depth that usually does not exceed six meters. 1 They may comprise of areas of marsh, streams, lakes, rivers, swamps, flood plains, ponds, mangroves, deltas and estuaries and are important natural resources that support components of the hydrological cycle in breeding, rearing and feeding habitats for diverse species of fauna and flora. Wetlands can serve as fish spawning areas and herbivore pastures and also as ground water discharge and recharge areas. They may also serve as mechanisms for flood control, shoreline stabilization, erosion control, storm protection, watertransport, recreation and tourism attraction. Many wetlands contain water or can soak up water. When it rains heavily, their sponge-like characteristic may help protect houses and farmland from serious flooding. Also, because wetlands retain water and release it slowly, the lands surrounding them may provide grazing for farm animals in times of drought. They also ensure that boreholes and wells do not dry up.