French Version
Wetlands, protected by the Ramsar Convention, are crucial ecosystems whose conservation is guaranteed by an international treaty signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. France joined the Convention on 24 November 1986. The fundamental aim of this protection is to preserve these areas, which are essential for global biodiversity, by promoting their sustainable use.
The eligibility criteria for Ramsar sites are strictly defined, incorporating aspects such as the presence of exceptional biological diversity, the rarity of natural habitats and the importance for migratory species, particularly birds. These criteria ensure that ecologically significant sites are selected.
The legal basis is the Ramsar Convention, which commits signatory countries to implementing conservation and management measures to protect these wetlands. This legal approach provides international protection for wetlands, helping to preserve biodiversity and the associated ecosystem services.
A biosphere reserve is a terrestrial or marine area designated internationally as part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. This global network is designed to promote a balanced relationship between man and nature, and to facilitate cooperation in the field of research, particularly through the transboundary reserves. Every reserve includes a triple zoning defined under the terms of human occupation and the distribution of objectives ranging from strict protection to sustainable development; central zone, buffer zone, transition zone (the latter zoning - and therefore the outer boundary of the biosphere as a whole - being an indicative value).
SPAMIs are marine or coastal Mediterranean zones established in 1995 by the Barcelona Convention (1976).The SPAMI's List includes sites which are important for conserving the components of biological diversity in the Mediterranean, which contain ecosystems specific to the Mediterranean area or the habitats of endangered species, and which are of special interest at the scientific, aesthetic, cultural or educational levels.The zones are subject to the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Parties, situated partly or wholly on the high sea or in national territorial waters; SPAMIs promote cooperation in the management and conservation of natural areas, particularly through the creation of cross-border zones.
OSPAR zones are classified under Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), as established by the the OSPAR Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic (Oslo-Paris, 1998).One of the tools used by the OPSAR Commission to ensure the sustainable use, protection and conservation of marine biological diversity and its ecosystems is the implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The use of protected zones is a long established practice for the protection of resources and livelihoods.OSPAR zones ultimately constitute a ecologically coherent network of MPAs.The commission has also agreed to consider proposals from Contracting Parties and observers in areas outside the national North-East Atlantic jurisdiction:where appropriate, these areas may be considered as part of the OSPAR Network of Marine Protected Areas by the OSPAR Commission.
The Cartagena Convention (Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region) aims to protect the ecosystems of the marine environment of the Caribbean seas, reduce and control pollution of the Convention area, organize cooperative aid in case of major environmental risks and evaluate their impacts on the environment.Effective as of 1986, the Convention area encompasses several French overseas territories such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy.
Natural or cultural UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Sites are defined as common mankind heritage due to their exceptional value.
Since the signing of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972, and upon nomination by a state, a site may be registered as cultural or natural heritage based on ten criteria.The following shall be considered as natural heritage:exceptionally beautiful natural sites, exemplary nature representing the history of both physical and biological formations, representative examples of existing ecological and biological processes, natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
These sites are the subject of regular reports on the state of their conservation.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
It was first an initiative, it is now a program.
The label was born at the end of the 1990s from the combination of four natural area management structures (the Haute-Provence Geological Nature Reserve in France, the Petrified Forest of the island of Lesbos in Greece, the Vulkaneifel Regional Nature Park in Germany and the Maestrazgo-Teruel Park in Spain) designed to enhance the geological heritage of these different territories. This label is the witness of a process of protection and enhancement of the geological heritage in relation to all the natural and cultural heritage of a territory and its development. It was first an European label: the European Geoparks. In the year 2000, UNESCO created its own Global Geoparks Network label with the same criteria as the European Geoparks which, de facto, therefore all joined the "Global Network". This approach is very successful with 140 geoparks in 38 member states in this network. In November 2015 UNESCO changes the status of "Initiative" to "Program", and Global Geoparks become UNESCO Global Geoparks.
Geoparks on UNESCO's web pages
National Committee of Geoparks of France
Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPA) are designated to protect exceptional environmental, scientific, historical, aesthetic or wilderness values, or any combination of these values, or ongoing or planned scientific research.
These zones are established in application of Annex V of the Protocol on Environmental Protection in the Antarctic Treaty (or Madrid Protocol). The signatory countries undertake to ensure the global protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems. The Protocol establishes Antarctica as a "natural reserve dedicated to peace and science", prohibits mineral resource activities other than those carried out for scientific purposes, and requires an environmental impact assessment to be carried out prior to any activity.
ASPA may be designated in the terrestrial or marine domain of the Antarctic regions, and are managed through a management plan. The management plan identifies sectors of the area in which activities must be prohibited, restricted or managed in order to limit and monitor the impact of activities on the environment.
Access to an ASPA is regulated and strictly forbidden to anyone without a permit.
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
Annex V to the Antarctic Treaty Protocol on Environmental Protection
