In 1971, the Ramsar Convention, sponsored by UNESCO, was adopted in Iran and became effective in 1975 to promote the sustainable conservation of wetlands. The convention uses a broad definition of wetlands that includes lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas, tidal flats, mangroves, and coastal areas. Managing wetlands is a global challenge, and Turkey has been part of the Ramsar Convention since 1994.

Ramsar was the first modern global environmental convention to focus on a specific ecosystem type. It institutionalized ideas that had been developing in the 1950s and 1960s through initiatives such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Project MAR.1 The convention is structured around three interrelated subjects: (1) wise use of wetlands; (2) designation of Ramsar sites; (3) international cooperation.

Wise use of all wetlands refers to the maintenance of their ecological character. It emphasizes the integration of conservation with sustainable development and the management of wetlands within broader landscape and river-basin systems. This approach aligns with current socio-ecological perspectives, which are crucial across many scientific research areas.

The designation of Ramsar sites requires each contracting party to commit to formally recognizing at least one “Wetland of International Importance” and ensuring its effective management and conservation. At the time of accession in 1994, Turkey had five sites entered on the Ramsar List, including Kuşcenneti National Park and Manyas Lake, Burdur Lake, Seyfe Lake, Sultan Marshes, and the Göksu Delta. These were among the earliest Ramsar sites designated in Turkey and represent a range of wetland types—from inland lakes and marshes to coastal deltas—highlighting the ecological diversity of wetlands in Turkey. As of 2025, Turkey has 14 designated Ramsar sites covering a range of wetland ecosystems across the country.

Thirdly, although primarily environmental in focus, Ramsar has increasingly acknowledged the cultural values of wetlands, traditional practices associated with them, and long-term human–wetland interactions. This resonates with approaches that perceive wetlands as historically constructed landscapes rather than purely “natural” spaces.