Objectif TO IDENTIFY WHETHER BIRDS DIE OR ARE DISPLACED TO OTHER ESTUARIES WHEN THEIR TRADITIONAL FEEDING GROUNDS ARE RECLAIMED, AND TO DEVISE SCIENTIFICALLY-BASED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO CREATE OR IMPROVE THE FEEDING SITES. MANY EUROPEAN ESTUARIES ARE THREATENED WITH DEVELOPMENTS INVOLVING LOSS OF INTERTIDAL LAND, THE MAJOR FEEDING HABITAT FOR SHOREBIRDS (=WADERS, CHARADRII). LARGE NUMBERS OF THESE BIRDS, MANY OF WHICH NEST IN THE ARTIC, FROM AS FAR WEST AS ELLESMERE ISLAND (CANADA) TO AS FAR EAST AS CENTRAL SIBERIA, PASS THROUGH WESTERN EUROPEAN ESTUARIES IN AUTUMN AND SPRING., STOPPING TO MOULT INTO AND OUT OF BREEDING PLUMAGE AND/OR TO LAY DOWN FAT AS FUEL FOR ONWARD MIGRATION. CONSIRABLE NUMBERS (ABOUT 50% OF THE MIGRATORY FLYWAY OF SOME 4 MILLION BIRDS) ALSO WINTER IN EUROPE, PARTICULARLY ON THE ESTUARIES OF THE NETHERLANDS, THE BRITISH ISLES AND FRANCE. UNDER ARTICLES 3 AND 4 OF THE COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE CONSERVATION OF BIRDS, MEMBER STATES SHALL TAKE REQUISITE MEASURES TO PRESERVE, MAINTAIN OR RE-ESTABLISH A SUFFICIENT DIVERSITY AND AREA OF HABITATS FOR REGULARLY OCCURING MIGRATORY BIRDS AND SHALL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE PROTECTION OF WETLANDS.THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL SEEKS SOME ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS: (I) WHAT IS A SUFFICIENT AREA OF ESTUARINE HABITATS TO SUPPORT THESE SHOREBIRD POPULATIONS? (II) WHAT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE EXISTING PROTECTED OR UNTREATENED ESTUARIES FOR SHOREBIRDS? (III) WHAT PROBLEMS MUST BE OVERCOME IN ORDER TO CREATE OR RE-ESTABLISH INTERTIDAL AREAS AS SUITABLE FEEDING GROUNDS FOR SHOREBIRDS? IT IS WIDELY ACCEPTED THAT HABITAT LOSS IS A GREATER THREAT TO ESTUARINE BIRD POPULATIONS THAN IS CHRONIC POLLUTION AT PRESENT. Programme(s) PRE-ENVPROT 3C - Sectoral research and development programme (EEC) in the field of environment (environmental protection and climatology) - indirect and concerted actions - Environmental protection -, 1981-1985 Thème(s) Data not available Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Old Shire Hall, Old Elvet DH1 3HP DURHAM Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée
