EU protection is inadequate for a declining flyway population of Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosa: mismatch between future core breeding areas and existing Special Protection Areas

Abstract

SummaryThis study analyses whether effective conservation of Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa breeding populations in the Netherlands can be achieved through the EU network of Special Protection Areas (SPAs). An internationally important number of pairs of Black-tailed Godwit breeds in the Netherlands but the breeding population is declining steeply and is, in effect, unprotected, as the Netherlands has not designated SPAs for it. To contribute to firmer and more efficient protection of the Black-tailed Godwit, we set out to identify the core areas in the Netherlands where this species is expected to breed in 2020. On the basis of an optimal combination of three main habitat requirements (groundwater level, land-use and openness of the landscape) we identified five core areas in lower-lying (western) Netherlands: Zuidwest Friesland, Waterland, the IJssel delta area, Arkemheen and Eem polders, and Groene Hart. Because these areas are currently not designated for the breeding period of Black-tailed Godwit within the SPA network, the protection of this flagship species of Dutch meadows could be at risk. It seems likely that the Black-tailed Godwit population will continue to decline, with the result that the Netherlands will breach several policy commitments for the conservation of this species.

Modeling direct and indirect climate change impacts on ecological networks: a case study on breeding habitat of Dutch meadow birds

“…The major part of the area is in use for dairy farming. Because of the open character of the landscape and the relatively high groundwater levels, peat meadows have become an important habitat to meadow birds (Melman et al 2008; Van der Vliet et al 2014). About 15 % of the farms in the case study area receive grants to improve conditions for meadow birds (Vogelzang et al 2009).…”

“…To take the uncertainties in our models into account, we present maps based on the quartile ranges of relative bird densities rather than relative density itself, where we consider the upper quartile as core breeding areas for the different bird species (cf. Van der Vliet et al 2014). We consider the conditions in these areas to comply best with the species habitat demands in the breeding season.…”

“…Black-tailed godwit for instance is now categorized as a near-threatened species on the IUCN Red List (BirdLife International 2014). Meadow birds depend on a network consisting of larger, contiguous peat meadow areas within the highly urbanized western part of the Netherlands for breeding and chick rearing (Melman et al 2008; Van der Vliet et al 2014), whereas pre-and post-breeding staging areas are largely located in tidal flats and river floodplains (Van der Vliet et al 2014). Parts of the network of staging areas have been appointed as Special Protection Areas under the EU Bird Directive and are part of the Dutch Natura 2000 network.…”

Barriers and bridges for sustaining functional habitat networks: A macroecological system analysis of wet grassland landscapes

“…In particular, this would allow for better conceptual bridging of ecosystem‐level supporting processes and emerging services. With annual global scale migration routes spanning multiple continents (Verkuil, Karlionova, et al, 2012 ; Verkuil, Piersma, et al, 2012 ; van Vliet et al, 2015 ), waders are excellent model organisms, often used as indicators of ecosystem health (Sutherland et al, 2012 ). To address the threats faced by deteriorating semi‐natural grasslands in breeding areas, knowledge production and learning should also pay more attention to the inherent social‐ecological complexity of them (Herzon et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Noting the limited success of traditional conservation management based on protected areas and species only, Harvey et al (2017) stressed the need for integrative approaches focusing on ecological networks as a conservation target. In particular, this would allow (Verkuil, Karlionova, et al, 2012;van Vliet et al, 2015), waders are excellent model organisms, often used as indicators of ecosystem health (Sutherland et al, 2012). To address the threats faced by deteriorating semi-natural grasslands in breeding areas, knowledge production and learning should also pay more attention to the inherent socialecological complexity of them (Herzon et al, 2021).…”