The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Namibia

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

NAMIBIA / NAMIBIE

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Namibia on 23 December 1995. Namibia presently has 4 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 629,600 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Etosha Pan, Lake Oponono & Cuvelai drainage. 23/08/95; 600,000 ha; 19º15’S 015º30’E. National Park. A system of ephemeral rivers, feeding pans and associated lake and delta. Habitats include the pans, seasonally-flooded grasslands, palm tree savannah, woodlands, and dry bush savannah. The system supports 45% of Namibia’s human population, who exist by subsistence farming and fishing on the floodplains and seasonal wetlands. Local people rely upon seasonal ponds and shallow wells for their water. The site supports populations of several rare and endangered large mammals, and in good rainy seasons it serves as a breeding ground for flamingos. Ramsar site no. 745. Most recent RIS information: 1995.

Orange River Mouth. 23/08/95; 500 ha; 28º40’S 016º30’E. Transborder site with South Africa. The sole perennial river in the region, it forms a linear oasis (floodplain) of islands and sand bars through an arid region. The site provides habitat for a variety of endemic plants and during the summer is the sixth richest wetland in southern Africa, in terms of bird numbers supported. The abundance of three species exceed 1% of their respective global populations. Restricted recreation takes place within the park. In surrounding areas, activities include diamond mining, irrigation, and large-scale water abstraction. Ramsar site no. 744. Most recent RIS information: 1995.

Sandwich Harbour. 23/08/95; 16,500 ha; 23º23’S 014º29’E. Namib-Naukluft Park, Marine Protected Area. Two distinct wetlands and associated mudflats. One is aquifer-fed and supports typical emergent vegetation, but is slowly disappearing due to natural causes. The second, under tidal influence, consists of mudflats and raised shingle bars. One of Namibia’s most important coastal wetlands, supporting eight endangered species among the large numbers of wading birds. Several archaeological sites dating back 1,000 years exist within the site. Human activities have included fishing, guano collection, and hunting. The site is used for scientific research, with surrounding areas used for tourism, recreation, and angling. Ramsar site no. 743. Most recent RIS information: 1995.

Walvis Bay. 23/08/95; 12,600 ha; 23º00’S 014º27’E. Nature Reserve. A tidal lagoon consisting of adjacent intertidal areas, Pelican Point, mudflats exposed at low tide, and sandbars serving as roosting sites. The site supports varying numbers of wetland birds (37,000 to 79,000 individuals); some species such as flamingos occur in impressive numbers. Eleven endangered bird species are regularly observed. Human activities consist of recreation and salt production. Residential development exists along the lagoon, and natural siltation may eventually lead to the infilling. Ramsar site no. 742. Most recent RIS information: 1995.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 30 January 2000, updated 26 January 2001, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.