Development of the text of the Ramsar Convention: 1965–1971

The ‘Ramsar’ Convention on Wetlands was the first of modern era global biodiversity conventions and remains only multilateral environmental agreement focused a single group ecosystem types. At time initial discussions within wetland conservation science community in late 1960s, its ambition unprecedented, with no successful models to draw upon, especially regard novel concepts such as modus for an ‘internationally protected site’. Drawing previously unpublished draft texts, we track Convention’s textual development ultimate 1971. During this period geographic scope changed from European focus, whereas core obligations related designation internationally important wetlands provision secretariat coordination functions were substantively developed. We present (as supplementary material) all 1965 1971, unavailable online.