Waterbirds increase more rapidly in Ramsar-designated wetlands than in unprotected wetlands

There is a general lack of information on how international conservation treaties affect biodiversity. The Ramsar convention on the protection of internationally important wetlands is such an international conservation policy. It initiated the worldwide establishment of over 2000 protected areas currently covering more than 200 million ha. The convention came into force in 1975 but to date it remains unknown whether it actually produces biodiversity benefits