| Methodological explanations |
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, called the Ramsar Convention was signed in Ramsar on 2 February, 1971. Until now, it has been ratified by 168 countries which assigned 2186 wetlands of international importance, among which are 13 Polish sites. Poland acceded to the convention on 22 march 1978 The convention's mission is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development accross the world. According to the Ramsar Convention wetlands are "...areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres". The Ramsar Contracting Parties, including Poland, have committed themselves to designate suitable wetlands for the List of Wetlands of International Importance, work towards the wise use of all their wetlands through national land-use planning, appropriate policies and legislation, management actions, and public education and to cooperate internationally in the implementation of the convention. There are 13 Ramsar Sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance, in Poland: - Biebrzanaki National Park (59 233 ha, since 1995)
- Slowinski National Park (32 744 ha, since 1995)
- Wigry National Park (15 085 ha, since 2002)
- Poleski National Park (9 764 ha, since 2002)
- Narew River National Park (7 350 ha, since 2002)
- Milicz Fishponds Nature Reserve (5 324 ha, since 1995)
- Warta River Mouth National Park (8 074 ha, since 1984)
- Druzno Lake Nature Reserve (3 068 ha, since 2002)
- Lake of Seven Islands Nature Reserve (1 618 ha, since 1984)
- Luknajno Lake Nature Reserve (1 189 ha, since 1977)
- Swidwie Lake Nature Reserve (891 ha, since 1984)
- Karas Lake Nature Reserve (815 ha, since 1984)
- Subalpine peatbogs in Karkonosze Mountains (40 ha, since 2002)
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