New research shows that populations of dozens of waterbird and seabird species have been declining for much longer than previously thought in Europe. The article “Shifting the baseline for waterbird and seabird conservation in Europe, risk assessment over one century” demonstrates that ignoring population trends over the last century leads to setting under ambitious goals for restoring biodiversity.
In Europe, major bird conservation and monitoring efforts were launched in the 1970s in response to the degradation of their habitats and populations. Monitoring species provides highly accurate information on the current conservation status of their populations. But ignoring what preceded these monitoring efforts potentially leads to underestimating the true extent of the declines.
A study conducted by the Tour du Valat (France) and the University of Turku (Finland), published in Biodiversity and Conservation, analyzed more than a century of data (1900–2018) on 170 species of waterbirds and seabirds. Its conclusions are clear: ignoring historical declines shifts the baseline for at least 40% of the species assessed. The researchers show that using the 1970s as a baseline tends to normalize an already severely degraded state. “Restoring bird populations to their 1970s levels is not enough: their decline began long before that,” warns Thomas Galewski (Research Director at the Tour du Valat). Restoration policies should therefore be based on a perspective of at least a century in order to be truly ambitious.
Even more worrying is the fact that some species have been in continuous decline for over a century. This is the case for the Black Tern and the Corncrake.
“These species should be placed as a priority for conservation efforts,” warns Élie Gaget (Tour du Valat), lead author of the study.
Since the 1970s, international conventions and European directives have been adopted to protect birds and habitats. However, the results remain insufficient: 61 out of 170 species continue to decline. The causes—destruction of wetlands, intensification of agricultural practices, overfishing, pollution, illegal or unsustainable hunting—remain powerful and insufficiently controlled. Climate change is exacerbating existing pressures and disrupting ecological balances.
The Greater Flamingo, which had almost disappeared from Western Europe in the 1960s, has spectacularly recolonized the Mediterranean basin thanks to the protection of its breeding sites, first in the Camargue, then in other wetlands in Spain, Italy, and Turkey. After decades of persecution that had almost wiped it out, the Great Cormorant has once again become a common bird on our coasts and wetlands. But these conservation successes should not obscure the reality: many species have lost a large part of their historical range, and some have never recovered their early 20th-century numbers.
“Long-term monitoring, such as censuses, is our best weapon against the shifting baseline syndrome. Without collective memory, we risk normalizing an already impoverished world,” concludes Thomas Galewski.
Reference
Gaget, E., Brommer, J.E., Galewski, T. (2025). Shifting the baseline for waterbird and seabird conservation in Europe, risk assessment over one century. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-025-03155-1[1]
The IUCN Congress has voted in favor of Motion 130, “Strengthening restrictions against unsustainable tourism infrastructure”. Upfront the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, members overwhelmingly approved Motion 130 with more than 98% of votes, calling for stronger restrictions on unsustainable tourism infrastructure in IUCN Category I and II protected areas.
Vjosa-Narta lagoon
This motion was initiated by PPNEA (Albania) and co-sponsored by 14 partner organizations from 13 countries, including EuroNatur, BirdLife International, Tour du Valat, Wetlands International, and others. What started as a call from a small country like Albania, against the controversial amendments to the Law on Protected Areas (Law No. 21/2024), has now grown into a global achievement for conservation. Together, we reaffirmed a simple principle: protected areas are for conservation, not massive development, including for mass tourism.
The adoption of Law No. 21/2024 in Albania, defended under the false narrative of “following IUCN criteria,” opened the door for tourism complexes, airports, and energy facilities even in national parks. This dangerous precedent prompted the development of Motion 130 to ensure governments worldwide cannot use similar loopholes to justify the destruction of nature under the guise of tourism. The motion specifically urges the Albanian government to reinstate restrictions on heavy infrastructure development within protected areas.
From Albania’s coastal wetlands and aged sand dunes of Vjosa–Narta, where luxury resorts and airports are planned, to similar struggles across the globe, Motion 130 is now a strong international reminder to governments that tourism is no excuse to destroy protected areas.
But while the vote is a major success, the work is not over. Without immediate action, the Albanian government may continue to pursue destructive projects in national parks, ignoring both European requirements and IUCN’s global stance.
New staff for the agroecology programme at the Tour du Valat
Two new recruits have joined the Tour du Valat team working on its agroecological farm: Katrina Müller, an oenologist, and Mario Bourcin, who is responsible for the commercial development of our products.
In June, we welcomed Katrina Müller, who brings her expertise in wine production. She is assisting with the preparation of the 2025 vintages and the restructuring of our range, in order to showcase the work carried out on our agroecological vineyards.
In September, Mario Bourcin joined the team to support the commercial development of our products. His main mission is to strengthen and expand our network of partners and retailers in order to promote our products to a wider audience, while highlighting their agroecological dimension and their support for wetland conservation.
Their arrival will contribute to giving even greater quality, visibility and recognition to Tour du Valat products, which are the result of farming practices that combine expertise, innovation and respect for biodiversity.
Mediterranean wetlands: responses to ongoing crises
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Six years after the previous report, and at a time when the Mediterranean basin is the focus of many of the tensions affecting the planet, the third regional report of the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (MWO-3) has just been published. Discover the main conclusions of this report, the result of intensive analysis led by Tour du Valat.
A threatened but essential heritage
Mediterranean wetlands, with their wide variety of habitats (see diagram below), are among the most valuable and threatened ecosystems in the region. They regulate the water cycle, filter pollution, are home to exceptional biodiversity, protect coastlines from storms, and store significant amounts of carbon. However, their gradual and often silent disappearance is jeopardizing these vital services.
Percentages of wetland areas, excluding watercourses, in the Mediterranean basin (MWO-3)
The third regional report of the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (MWO-3), coordinated by Tour du Valat as part of the Ramsar Convention’s MedWet Initiative, paints an alarming picture. More than half of historic wetlands have disappeared. Urbanization, agricultural intensification, overexploitation of water, and climate change are putting increasing pressure on these environments. However, the report also emphasizes a message of hope: far from being merely victims of our activities, wetlands are essential allies in the face of major crises in the Mediterranean.
A groundbreaking scientific diagnosis
The MWO-3 is based on an in-depth analysis conducted across 28 countries, using 18 indicators that provide information on the social and economic dynamics that can impact wetlands, the direct pressures they face, their condition, but also the services they provide and society’s responses to preserve them (DPSIR Drivers – Pressures – State – Impacts – Responses conceptual framework).
The results are striking. Since 1990, 12% of the surface area of natural Mediterranean wetlands has decreased. Forty percent of the species dependent on these environments are now in a worrying state of conservation, due in particular to climate change, among other factors. At the same time, pressures are accelerating with urbanization, which has increased by 44% around wetlands since 2000, while agricultural land occupies more than 30% of their functional space. The fragmentation of waterways has reached a critical level, with 95% of the length of major rivers affected by infrastructure. Nevertheless, the report also reveals some positive signs: the population of wintering waterbirds has increased by 43% since 1995, demonstrating that targeted conservation policies can bear fruit.
Distribution of species vulnerable to climate change. MW03
Multiple factors, visible impacts
Three main factors explain the vulnerability of Mediterranean wetlands. The first is demographic: nearly 400 million people live in close proximity to a wetland, with a density four times higher than the regional average in the Mediterranean. This proximity leads to increased demand for water, agricultural land, and infrastructure.
The second factor relates to significant disparities in governance between countries. Some have robust tools, such as the European Water Framework Directive or networks of protected areas, which enable them to regulate land use and preserve part of their ecosystems. Others, however, lack the institutional, financial, or political resources to manage these areas, leading to their rapid degradation.
Finally, climate change acts as a catalyst. The Mediterranean basin is warming 20% faster than the global average (MedECC, 2022). Droughts are becoming longer, heat waves are increasing, floods are becoming more frequent and intense, and rising average sea levels are directly threatening coastal wetlands. By 2100, 69 to 92% of coastal marshes could disappear if the current trajectory continues without major change.
Answers exist
Faced with these threats, the report emphasizes that it is still possible to take action. Today, 36% of wetland habitats benefit from some form of protection, although only 7% have a high level of protection. The opportunities for restoration are considerable: nearly 88,000 km² of lost wetlands could be rehabilitated in the northern Mediterranean countries with moderate efforts, such as restoring former agricultural land to wetland habitats. Modernizing irrigation systems would reduce water withdrawals by 35%, thereby relieving pressure on the most fragile ecosystems.
Beyond the figures, the report highlights concrete initiatives. In Tunisia, the ongoing rehabilitation of the Dar Fatma peatlands will restore a unique habitat while involving local communities in its management. In Turkey, integrated delta management projects are helping to preserve ecological continuity and support traditional activities. In Spain, the restoration of coastal wetlands around Valencia illustrates the concrete benefits that these environments can bring when they are put back at the heart of the land. The rehabilitation of the Albufera has improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity and, above all, increased the city’s resilience to flooding and heat waves. These actions show that investing in restoration means both protecting nature and providing essential services to populations.
Towards a new pact between societies and Mediterranean wetlands
The report’s conclusion is clear: protecting and restoring wetlands is not just an ecological issue, it is a necessity for the future of Mediterranean societies. These environments must be recognized as solutions to the climate, water, and social crises facing the region.
This third installment calls for a new pact between societies and wetlands, based on better land-use planning, inclusive governance, and targeted investments in restoration. It invites governments, scientists, NGOs, and citizens to join forces so that wetlands are no longer perceived as marginal spaces but, on the contrary, become pillars of resilience and sustainability for Mediterranean societies.
Fader, M., Giupponi, C., Burak, S., Dakhlaoui, H., Koutroulis, A., Lange, M.A., Llasat, M.C., Pulido-Velazquez, D., Sanz-Cobeña, A. (2020) Water. In: Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin – Current Situation and Risks for the Future. First Mediterranean Assessment Report [Cramer W, Guiot J, Marini K (eds.)] Union for the Mediterranean, Plan Bleu, UNEP/MAP, Marseille, France, pp. 181-236, doi:10.5281/zenodo.7101074.
Galewski, T., Segura, L., Biquet, J., Saccon, E., & Boutry, N. (2021). Living Mediterranean Report—Monitoring species trends to secure one of the major biodiversity hotspots. Tour du Valat.
Geijzendorffer, I.R., Galewski, T., Guelmami, A., Perennou, C., Popoff, N., Grillas, P. (2018). Mediterranean wetlands: a gradient from natural resilience to a fragile social-ecosystem. In: Schröter M, Bonn A, Klotz S, Seppelt R, Baessler C (eds) Atlas of ecosystem services: drivers, risks, and societal responses. Springer International Publishing AG, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96229-0[6].
Geijzendorffer, I.R., Beltrame, C., Chazée, L., Gaget, E., Galewski, T., Guelmami, A., Perennou, C., Popoff, N., Guerra, C.A., Leberger, R. & Jalbert, J. (2019). A more effective Ramsar Convention for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 7, 21. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00021[7].
Guelmami, A. (2020). Sebkhat Séjoumi et son Bassin Versant (Tunisie) : Un Territoire en Mouvement. Rapport technique. Tour du Valat, CEPF, 54p.
Guelmami, A. (2023). Large-scale mapping of existing and lost wetlands: Earth Observation data and tools to support restoration in the Sebou and Medjerda river basins. Euro‑Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, 9(2–3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-023-00443-6[9].
Guelmami, A., Arslan, D. & Ernoul, L. (2023). Assessing the impacts of land use and land cover changes 1984–2020 on wetland habitats in the Gediz Delta (Turkey). Climatic and Environmental Significance of Wetlands: Case Studies from Eurasia and North Africa [Internet]. IGI Global; 2023 [cited 2024 Aug 12]. pp. 12–23. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-9289-2.ch002.
MedECC (2020). Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin – Current Situation and Risks for the Future. First Mediterranean Assessment Report [Cramer, W., Guiot, J., Marini, K. (eds.)] Union for the Mediterranean, Plan Bleu, UNEP/MAP, Marseille, France, 632pp. ISBN: 978-2-9577416-0-1 / DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7224821.
Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (2012). Mediterranean wetlands outlook 1. Technical report. Tour du Valat, France.
Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (2018). Mediterranean wetlands outlook 2: solutions for sustainable Mediterranean wetlands. Tour du Valat, France.
Leberger, R., Geijzendorffer, I. R., Gaget, E., Guelmami, A., Galewski, T., Pereira, H. M., & Guerra, C. A. (2020). Mediterranean wetland conservation in the context of climate and land cover change. Regional Environmental Change, 20(2), 67.
Plan Bleu (2025). MED 2050, The Mediterranean by 2050, A foresight by Plan Bleu.
Popoff, N., Gaget, E., Béchet, A., Dami, L., Du Rau, P.D., Geijzendorffer, I.R., Guelmami, A., Mondain‑Monval, J.-Y., Perennou, C., Suet, M., Verniest, F., Deschamps, C., Taylor, N.G., Azafzaf, H., Bendjedda, N., Bino, T., Borg, J.J., Božič, L., Dakki, M., Encarnação, V.M.F., et al. (2021). Gap analysis of the Ramsar site network at 50: over 150 important Mediterranean sites for wintering waterbirds omitted. Biodiversity and Conservation, 30, 3067–3085. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02236-1[10].
Schuerch, M., Kiesel, J., Boutron, O., Guelmami, A., Wolff, C., Cramer, W., Caiola, N., Ibáñez, C., & Vafeidis, A. T. (2025). Large-scale loss of Mediterranean coastal marshes under rising sea levels by 2100. Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1), Article 128. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02099-2[11].
Verniest, F., Galewski, T., Boutron, O., Dami, L., Defos du Rau, P., Guelmami, A., Julliard, R., Popoff, N., Suet, M., Willm, L., Abdou, W., Azafzaf, H., Bendjedda, N., Bino, T., Borg, J. J., Božič, L., Dakki, M., Hamoumi, R. E., Encarnação, V., et al. (2024). Exposure of wetlands important for nonbreeding waterbirds to sea-level rise in the Mediterranean. Conservation Biology, 38, e14288. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14288[12].
The IUCN has just released a new publication bringing together 21 case studies from around the world, offering valuable insights into the practical implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). These examples illustrate the application of the new IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions and serve as a source of inspiration for other sites where this type of solution could be adopted.
Launched in 2020, the Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions was created to help governments, NGOs, businesses, and communities design, implement, and evaluate projects that use nature to address major societal challenges (climate, biodiversity, food security, water, natural hazards, health, etc.). The case studies cover a wide variety of ecosystems—marine environments, wetlands, terrestrial ecosystems (forests, grasslands, alpine areas), urban environments—as well as two economic initiatives. Together, they offer a rich and varied overview of possible approaches and best practices for implementing NbS on a global scale.
The Lagoons and Marshes on the former Camargue Saltworks site in the spotlight
Among these 21 case studies is a site co-managed by Tour du Valat, the Camargue Regional Nature Park, and the National Society for Nature Protection (SNPN) (case study no. 3): the Lagoons and Marshes on the former Camargue Saltworks site[15]. This site, which consists mainly of former salt marshes, has benefited from this standard self-assessment tool to analyze its compliance with 8 criteria and 28 indicators, and to provide informed feedback.
This case study illustrates the approach implemented for coastal ecological restoration, aimed at improving biodiversity and reducing coastal risks related to erosion and marine submersion. However, coordinating the project remains complex due to the multiplicity of stakeholders, their sensitivities, and the public policies involved. One point that should not be underestimated is that the success of these projects also depends on cooperation between stakeholders and a shared long-term vision, which is essential for meeting the ecological and social challenges of tomorrow.
Publication reference
Thibault M., Poulin B., Segura L., Billé R. 2025. Adaptive management of the lagoons and marshes of the former Camargue saltworks – France. In: Applying the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions : 21 cases studies from around the globe. Gland (Switzerland): IUCN; p. 38–42. https://doi.org/10.2305/RFTD6180[16]
Columba Martinez-Espinosa elected President of the European Section of the Society of Wetlands Scientists
On July 2, 2025, Columba Martinez-Espinosa, research engineer at the Tour du Valat, was elected President of the European Section of the Society of Wetlands Scientists (SWS).
A member of the European section of the SWS for eight years, Columba Martinez-Espinosa has been a research engineer at the Tour du Valat since March 2022. She has solid expertise in functional ecology and wetland nutrient dynamics, which she now applies to studying French Mediterranean lagoons with a view to restoring them to good ecological status.
An international academic and professional background
Before joining the Tour du Valat, Columba conducted research in the United States (Advanced Science Research Center – GC/CUNY in New York), France (CNRS Toulouse), Brazil (Manaus, Amazonia), Italy (University of Ferrara), Malaysia (Universiti Tereggannu), and Egypt (American University in Cairo). This international experience has given him a global perspective on wetland ecosystems, reinforced by skills in biogeochemical modeling, enabled him to develop a strong network of scientific collaborations, and taught him about the diversity of local wetland management practices.
Her international academic and professional background, combined with her commitment to sustainable wetland management, were the assets that led to her election as president of this European section of the SWS.
“I was fortunate to receive support from the SWS during my studies, which enabled me to develop my expertise in wetlands. This election now gives me the opportunity to support young researchers who are getting involved in this field,” she comments.
Society of Wetlands Scientists – European section
The European section of the SWS was founded with the aim of bringing together scientists and other professionals specialising in wetlands who share a common interest in the science and management of these environments and work in Europe. The SWS aims to improve knowledge about wetlands; advance related scientific fields; and support decision-making processes that may affect these environments, ensuring that they are based on a sound understanding of the scientific issues involved.
To carry out this mission, SWS members need to have a solid understanding of both the scientific data relating to wetlands and the contextual factors that can influence decision-making, many of which are specific to Europe. With this in mind, online conferences and symposiums are organised annually and resources are made available on the organisation’s website. Small grants are also available to encourage students.
The SWS and the Tour du Valat
The election of Columba Martinez-Espinosa is part of a history of strong links between the Tour du Valat and the SWS. Nick Davidson, member of the Tour du Valat Scientific Council, is also a member of the European section of the SWS; Patrick Grillas, former Programme Director at the Tour du Valat, was a member for many years; and the Tour du Valat had the pleasure of hosting the annual meetings of the European section of the SWS at the LUMA Foundation in 2022.
During her term of office, Columba Martinez-Espinosa hopes to strengthen and develop these links. In particular, she wishes to encourage greater involvement of her colleagues at the Tour du Valat in the SWS; strengthen exchanges with the Mediterranean Wetlands Alliance, of which the SWS is a member; promote the scientific and management support work produced by the Tour du Valat to wetland management networks in Europe; and, finally, strengthen advocacy for wetland protection.
Are you a scientist working in the field of wetlands and interested in joining the SWS network? Since its creation in 1980, the Society of Wetland Scientists has welcomed more than 3,000 members from around the world.
A recent study by Tour du Valat, conducted in collaboration with INRAE, models for the first time the interdependencies between human activities and biodiversity on the Camargue Island.
In this study, published in Ecology and Society[18], researchers developed a conceptual model in which hydrosaline dynamics, water management, economic activities (agriculture, hunting, fishing, tourism), and natural environments interact
A methodological approach in four sub-models
This conceptual model is based on four sub-models that provide complementary representations:
Water governance
Agriculture
Bird communities
Fish communities
This model highlights the strong and complex relationships between the multiple entities of the delta socio-ecosystem.
These relationships can be of several types:
Causal chains (succession of impacts between several entities) – 17 relationships identified;
Feedback loops (causal chain in which entity A influences a chain of entities, which then influences A in return to amplify or dampen the process) – 2 relationships identified;
Interactions (when two entities influence each other) – 3 relationships identified;
Side effects (when the implementation of actions aimed at achieving specific objectives has an unexpected negative or positive impact on other entities) – 8 relationships identified;
Trade-offs (antagonism between two competing processes, i.e., an increase in one decreases the other) – 5 relationships identified.
Key findings and outlook
The study highlights paradoxical feedback loops: for example, stricter regulations on pesticides (particularly rice herbicides), intended to protect biodiversity and improve water quality, ultimately led to a reduction in rice-growing areas, thereby decreasing the availability of habitats for waterbirds in the spring.
Ongoing trade-offs
The article also highlights the constant trade-off between water quality and quantity in the management of the Vaccarès lagoon system, creating ongoing compromises between the needs of fishermen, ecological requirements, and agricultural constraints.
The study highlights the current limitations in water governance in the Camargue. Although informal, the Executive Water Commission (CEE) does not cover all of the interconnected issues within the system. The study emphasizes the need to rethink this tool and transform it into a more comprehensive forum that integrates all stakeholders and the multiple hydrological issues affecting the Camargue region.
This conceptual model provides a starting point for developing a quantitative modeling platform and could even be adapted to other Mediterranean deltas.
Study reference
Rodier R., Boutron O., Béchet A., Therond O. 2025. Interdependencies among hydro-saline dynamics, economic activities, ecological processes, and biodiversity in a deltaic social-ecological system: insights from the Rhône delta (southern France). Ecology and Society; 30. doi: 10.5751/ES-16122-300311[18]
Article published as part of Rose Rodier’s thesis, co-written with Olivier Boutron, Arnaud Béchet, and Olivier Therond.
Taking action to protect the large-stigma dragonfly through crowdfunding
Launch of the first campaign on the Flamingo.eco platform, entitled “Dragonfly seeks pond!”, supports a project led by the Tour du Valat in favor of an endangered dragonfly species.
In France, nearly one-third of dragonflies are endangered. The large-stigma damselfly (Lestes macrostigma), a rare species, is seeing its chances of survival diminish as its natural habitat—temporary brackish ponds—disappears. For this species, the preservation of wetlands is vital. The project carried out on the Mas Neuf pond, in the heart of the Camargue, aims to restore this pond as a sustainable breeding ground and test a “recipe” that can be replicated on a large scale.
The various stages planned
To validate a restoration method, it is necessary to test, observe, and adjust. You can contribute to this decisive step! Here is a description of the different stages of the project, if we manage to obtain the necessary funds.
ACT 1 (€8,500): Transplant bulbs of sea club rush, the preferred plant of L. macrostigma, and monitor its colonization in the pond. ACT 2 (€8,400): Introduce L. macrostigma eggs using a technique that proved successful in 2020, then study the colonization by this dragonfly, particularly its use of bulrushes during egg laying. ACT 3 (€6,200): Repeat the pilot experiment in new ponds in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Occitanie, monitoring the females’ egg-laying activity in the bulrushes. ACT 4 (€4,200): Roll out the method on a large scale!
In short
To validate a method, you have to test, observe, and adjust: crowdfunding can enable this restoration project to take this decisive step.
It is thanks to your support that the project will be able to prove itself—and apply for more ambitious European funding, such as the European LIFE program!
🙏 Even a small donation counts (and remember, it is 66% tax deductible, and you will receive a small gift with each donation to thank you for your commitment: books, box sets, art posters, meetings with researchers, guided tours, weekends in the Camargue…)
Please feel free to spread the word, promote it to your friends, and contribute to this wonderful project!
Flamingos reveal the secrets of their aging process
Is ageing inevitable? While most living beings grow old, some do so more slowly than others. A new scientific study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science(PNAS)[20]addressesafascinating question: what if migration influences the way we age? To explore this mystery, scientists turned their attention to the pink flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), a graceful migratory bird that is emblematic of the Camargue region of France.
Thanks to a flamingo tagging and tracking programme conducted for over 40 years by the Tour du Valat research institute, scientists have discovered a surprising phenomenon: migratory flamingos age more slowly than resident flamingos. In this species, some birds remain in the Camargue for their entire lives (they are called ‘residents’),whileotherstraveleveryyearalong the shores of the Mediterranean (these are the ‘migrants’). At the beginning of their adult life, resident flamingos fare better: well established inthelagoonsoftheFrenchMediterraneancoast during the winter, they survive and reproduce more than migrants.
But at what cost? As they age, residents decline more rapidly. With 40% greater ageing, their ability to reproduce decreases and the risk of death increases faster than among migratory flamingos. On the contrary, migratory flamingos, those that leave to spend the winter in Italy, Spain or North Africa, pay a high price for these seasonal journeys early in life (higher mortality and lower reproduction rates) but seem to compensate for this by slower ageing at an advanced age. Thus, the onset of the ageing process occurs earlier in residents (20.4 years on average) than in migrants (21.9 years).
Migration: an animal behaviour that influences ageing
This study shows that seasonal migration – a behaviourexhibitedbybillionsofanimals– caninfluencetherateofageing.Inflamingos, deciding not to migrate offers advantages early in life that are associated with accelerated senescence at an advanced age. ‘This is probably linked to a compromise between performance when young and health in old age,’ explains Sébastien Roques, researcher at the CNRS and co-author of the study.
With their long lifespan (some live to be over 50 years old!) and behavioural diversity, flamingosaremorethanjustaniconicanimal of the Camargue. They also provide an ideal model for understanding ageing in animals.
‘That’s the whole point of having continued thisstudyover thelong term.Initiatedin1977 in the Camargue by tagging flamingos with rings thatcanbereadfromadistancewitha telescope, this programme still allows us to observeflamingos tagged thatyear,’explain Arnaud Béchet and Jocelyn Champagnon, research directors at the Tour du Valat and co-authors of the study. ‘This is a unique dataset thatisprovinginvaluableforunderstanding the mechanismsofageinginanimalpopulations.’
Unravelling the secrets of ageing, a scientific and existential quest
This discovery is part of an exciting field of research:senescence,orbiologicalageing.
HugoCayuela,oneofthestudy’sco-authors and a researcher at the University of Oxford, comments: ‘Understanding the causes of changes in the rate of ageing is a problem thathasobsessedresearchersandpolymath philosopherssinceancient times.’Hecontinues ‘For a long time, we thought that these variations occurredmainlybetweenspecies.But recently, our perception of īhe problem has changed. We areaccumulatingevidenceshowing that,within thesamespecies,individualsofitendonotage at the same rate due to genetic, behavioural and environmental variations.’ By studying howcertainanimalsareborn,reproduceand die, scientists hope to unlock the secrets of ageing… In doing so, they are attempting to answer one of the most existential and central questionsinbiology:whyandhowdowedie?
Study reference
H. Cayuela, S. Roques, A. Arnaud, C. Germain, A. Béchet, & J. Champagnon, Migration shapes senescence in a long-lived bird, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 122 (36) e2422882122, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2422882122[21] (2025).
The RESSOURCE project is launching a free online training course dedicated to the conservation of waterbirds in North Africa and the Sahel. Available in French on the IUCN-PAPACO (Program on African Protected Areas and Conservation) MOOC-Conservation platform, this course offers an advanced introduction to the identification of waterbirds in the region and to counting techniques..
Comprehensive training
The MOOC-RESSOURCE offers six modules (approximately 40 hours of training) with exceptional educational content: more than 5,000 photographs of birds, 219 species identification sheets, 40 educational sequences, and 23 video interviews with experts. The training covers species identification, counting techniques, and the context of wetland conservation in the northern half of Africa.
Practical details
The educational support runs from September 15 to October 24, 2025, with access to content until December 18, 2025. This flexibility allows participants to complete the training at their own pace over three months.
Developed by the RESSOURCE project in collaboration with the Tour du Valat and the French Office for Biodiversity, this project is supported by the FFEM and the European Union. The goal is to create a network of qualified observers for wetland conservation.
A major conservation issue
The wetlands of North Africa and the Sahel are home to millions of waterbirds, both migratory and resident. These species play a vital role in local ecosystems and contribute directly to the food and financial security of many communities in the region. With increasing pressure on these fragile environments, the development of networks of trained observers is becoming a priority for their conservation.
A strategic assessment in a context of growing tensions
For over a decade, the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (MWO)[23] has supported public policy and conservation efforts by producing regional assessments based on robust scientific data. Following a first edition in 2012 that laid the foundation for a pan-Mediterranean monitoring, and a second report in 2018 which updated knowledge and explored pathways towards sustainable wetlands, this third edition “Mediterranean Wetlands: Responses to ongoing Crises”[24] marks a new milestone. Published on the occasion of Ramsar COP15 (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, 23-31 July 2025), the report provides an up-to-date overview, in a context of mounting environmental, social and climatic pressures.
[24]
MWO-3 draws on a structured analysis using 18 DPSIR indicators (Drivers – Pressures – State – Impacts – Responses), developed by the MWO in close collaboration with a broad network of scientific and technical partners across the 28 countries of the MedWet Ramsar Regional Initiative and beyond. This framework enables a comprehensive analysis of the observed dynamics: from major drivers of change such as demographic growth and climate change, to the pressures exerted on wetlands (land conversion, pollution, water abstraction); from the assessment of ecological conditions and their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services, to the responses implemented at different scales.
The findings highlight an ongoing degradation: continued loss of wetlands and ecological quality, alteration of hydrological connectivity, mounting pressure on water resources, and increasing vulnerability to climatic extreme events. Yet the report goes beyond diagnosis. It also sheds light on existing responses and potential for improvement. It identifies concrete levers for restoring ecological functions, strengthening ecosystem resilience, and ensuring the sustainable provision of services to Mediterranean societies.
The report is structured into three complementary components:
A technical summary presenting observed trends, key insights from the 18 DPSIR indicators, and the major drivers of change across the basin;
Recommendations built around five levers for actions, providing guidance for policymakers, site managers and field actors to mobilise concrete efforts to reconcile development with the preservation of wetlands;
A series of detailed indicator fact sheets, offering structured results alongside concise interpretations.
In addition, several case studies from diverse local contexts illustrate the processes at work and responses being implemented on the ground. Infographics and maps also enhance readability and make findings more accessible to a wide audience.
MWO-3 is intended for all stakeholders concerned with the future of Mediterranean wetlands: national authorities, local governments, river basin agencies, civil society organisations, scientists, users and local communities. It aims to inform dialogue, improve policy coherence, and inspire coordinated, ambitious action that meets the scale of the challenges.
In a Mediterranean region facing multiple tensions, the message from the MWO is clear: protecting wetlands is not about halting development; it is what makes development possible, integrated and sustainable.
The Tour du Valat, as part of the Wetlands Resource Center run by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), and in partnership with the Ministry for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea, and Fisheries, invites you to:
NATIONAL FORUM ON WETLAND RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT NOVEMBER 19-21 IN ARLES
Creating greater synergies between French research infrastructures and managers is the objective of this Research-Management Forum on Wetlands.
There is an urgent need to work together more effectively: with the combined climate and biodiversity crises having a severe impact on wetlands, the issue of collaboration between researchers, managers, institutional representatives, and funders is more pressing than ever.
This forum will be hosted by LUMA Arles. Discover the unique venue where we will strengthen the links between science and management.
You can now consult the list of accommodation available in Arles in November.
In 2025, the city of Arles was awarded the “Ramsar Wetland City” label by the Ramsar Convention. This distinction highlights “exceptional efforts to protect urban wetlands for the benefit of people and nature.”
74 cities in 27 countries have been accredited in this way.
