All birds that stop in the Wadden Sea region have the same needs: sufficient food, rest and safety. Having sufficient food not only involves the presence of this food in the region, but also the accessibility of this food and/or whether the birds can consume it without disturbance. The problems with the breeding bird populations are caused by a number of factors, such as the stabilisation of the coast, disturbance and a lack of available food. Climate change also affects the Wadden Sea and therefore also the birds that live there.
The commissioning parties believe there is an urgent need to examine the effects of climate change on birds as well as possible measures that could help them. The current monitoring system, which predominantly focuses on the number of birds and only takes action reactively, is insufficient. To enable proactive responses to these changes, it is important to develop an early warning system that will enable the necessary control measures to be taken that will offer the birds an optimally healthy and safe environment in the Wadden Sea.
Role of the PRW:
Results to be delivered:
- The expected effects of climate change on birds in the Wadden Sea will have been inventoried, and in 2020, a plan and corresponding measures will have been formulated to enable proactive intervention to mitigate climate change.
- A set of measures (trilateral or otherwise) will be ready in 2021.
- An early warning system will be developed in 2022.
Commissioning parties:
- Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
- Provinces in the Wadden Sea region: North Holland, Friesland and Groningen
- Natural Wadden Coalition
Follow-up action by:
- Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
