The Contribution of Colonial Waterbird Research to Wetland Conservation in the Mediterranean Region

Abstract

We summarize the history of waterbird research in the Mediterranean region, how some of these activities developed into long-term ecological research programs, and how they created awareness of the need to conserve the species and their wetland habitats. We further analyze the impact of colonial waterbird studies on conservation actions and recommend how current research can be made relevant for conservation. An overview is presented of the development of midwinter counts and wetland site inventories, and the contribution of ecological studies to the conservation of colonial waterbirds and their habitats is summarized. There is still a lack of information on the distribution of the breeding colonies throughout the Mediterranean and of a coordinated population monitoring program. Data on feeding habitat and colony site requirements help to recognize those parts of the aquatic ecosystem that ought to be given conservation priority. The study of reproductive biology adds complementary data on the dependence of reproductive performance on environmental conditions. Ultimately, the identification of the environmental factors that influence population size is a key requirement for species conservation programs. This requires long-term studies. However, due to the infrastructure and long-term commitment involved, population studies expanding over decades have remained very few. To make the important investments in the study of colonial waterbird ecology more applicable to the conservation, management and restoration of their wetland habitats in the future, the collection of baseline monitoring data is required throughout the Mediterranean. Successfully tested ecological research methods need to be adopted in different parts of the Mediterranean and used in a coordinated way. Foraging ecology, ecotoxicology and the study of habitat requirements in relation to population dynamics are the research fields that can provide useful information for site-specific habitat management and restoration programs. Interdisciplinary projects between ecologists, hydraulic engineers, and land-use planners need to be developed. Finally, the results of the scientific studies need to be disseminated more widely, also in a form accessible to the administrator, political decision-maker, and local inhabitant of a wetland area.

Identifying rice fields at risk from damage by the greater flamingo

“…Damage to rice crops was estimated at approximately 200 000 US dollars in 1997 for the whole Camargue (Johnson & Mesléard 1997). Flamingos are strictly protected in Europe (Hoffmann, Hafner & Salathé 1996) and are not rice‐dependent for their survival. As a symbol of the ‘wild’ Camargue for thousands of tourists, their image is used in promoting regional products, including rice.…”

Survival chances of ground nests in three different habitats in Krka National Park (Croatia)

“…The largest part of this area lies within the boundaries of Krka National Park (4). The study and identification of the environmental factors that influence population size is a key requirement for species conservation programs (5). Nest predation is one of the primary causes of breeding failure and affects populations and exerts strong selection on avian behaviour and life-history strategies (6).…”

Time budget patterns and complementary use of a Mediterranean wetland (Tonga, North-east Algeria) by migrant and resident waterbirds

“…Every year, migratory birds spend two-thirds of their time in wintering and stopover sites. Many authors (hoffmann et al, 1996;Liordos, 2010;Samraoui et al, 2011;Scarton et al, 2013) pointed out the key aspects of Mediterranean wetlands conservation and management to preserve these species. The value of a particular area as wintering refuge mainly depends on relative availability of suitable species-specific habitat types (Kloskowski, 2009;Rajpar, 2011).…”