About 60 biosphere reserves include (or are part of) areas that are also inscribed on the Ramsar List of Wetland Sites of International Importance. They include such biosphere reserves as El Kala (Algeria), Pozuelos (Argentina), Neusiedlersee (Austria), Lake Fertö (Hungary), Srebarna (Bulgaria), Long Point (Canada), Sumava and Trebon (Czech Republic), Lake Oroomiyah (Iran), North Bull Island (Ireland), Circeo (Italy), Wadden Sea (Netherlands), Parc national du W (Niger), Paul do Boquilobo (Portugal), Astrakhanskiy (Russian Federation), Delta du Saloum (Senegal), Ickheul (Tunisia), North Norfolk Coast (UK), Everglades (USA), and Bañados del Este (Uruguay).

These sites encompass a wide range of wetland habitats, inhabited by an impressive array of species and providing important ecological, hydrological, social and economic functions. As for other wetland areas throughout the world, a number of these sites are under threat from a variety of man-induced impacts and technological developments such as hydraulic works, tourism installations, pollution and other forms of human intervention.

In terms of future activities, UNESCO and the Ramsar Bureau are working under a joint memorandum of understanding between the Ramsar Convention and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. A workshop on wetlands biosphere reserves and links with the Ramsar Convention is scheduled for the Czech Republic in October 2002.