Trends of Migratory and Wintering Waterbirds in the Wadden Sea 1987/1988 - 2019/2020. Wadden Sea Ecosystem No. 41

A comprehensive analysis of migratory and wintering waterbird trends in the Wadden Sea reveals significant long-term changes over three decades (1987/1988–2019/2020). This study, part of the Trilateral Monitoring and Assessment Program (TMAP), highlights shifts in species abundance, distribution, and survival, with notable declines in some populations while others remain stable or show recovery. The research leverages extensive data from ground, aerial, and boat surveys across a vast ecoregion spanning the Netherlands to Denmark, involving hundreds of observers and multiple institutions. By synthesizing this large-scale dataset, the study provides critical insights into the ecological health and conservation status of one of the world’s most vital wetlands for migratory waterbirds on the East Atlantic Flyway.

Kleefstra, R., Bregnballe, T., Frikke, J., Günther, K., Hälterlein, B., Hansen, M. B., Hornman, M., Ludwig, J., Meyer, J., & Scheiffarth, G. (2022). Trends of Migratory and Wintering Waterbirds in the Wadden Sea 1987/1988 - 2019/2020. Wadden Sea Ecosystem No. 41. Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Expert Group Migratory Birds. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.8296015