Assessing the vulnerability levels of wetland ecosystems and their components can be used as an

effective tool to prioritize conservation programs, formulate and reinforce policies and programs,

develop management strategies, budget and identify the needs and information deficiencies. In this regard,

the Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project has developed an approach to assess the vulnerability of

Ramsar sites in Iran in its 2017 work plan. This booklet provides an approach based on the available

information, documents and the knowledge of national, provincial and local experts and does not require

specific laboratory conditions and tools. This booklet will guide the reader from the theory of vulnerability

assessment to practical steps towards its implementation and, by providing a framework for assessing

Ramsar vulnerabilities in Iran’s sites, it describes the implementation process. For more information, please

visit the website at «http://www.wetlandsproject.ir»

Special acknowledgment is due to Dr David Ness, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of South

Australia (UniSA) and chair of Ecological Development Union International Inc. (EDUI), and his UniSA

colleagues, Dr. Chan Panditharatne, Dr Harpinder Sandhu, Dr Ke Xing and Prof Ying Zhu, who have been

eagerly cooperating with us since the early writing of this booklet.