The International Waterbird Census (IWC) coordinated by Wetlands International represents a simple tool to evaluate the importance of wetlands and to establish priorities for conservation actions. This program also promotes the establishment and development of a network of field observers.
Extremely rich in biodiversity, the wetlands of the Mediterranean region host large numbers of waterbirds. However, they are threatened by increasing pressures from human activities.The International Waterbird Census (IWC) coordinated by Wetlands
International represents a simple tool to evaluate the importance of wetlands and to establish priorities for conservation actions. This program also promotes the establishment and development of a network of field observers.
Despite major achievements such as the registration of many sites under the Ramsar Convention, or the steadily increasing number of observers, sites and countries participating in the IWC, the program suffers since many years, certain weaknesses in the Mediterranean / Black Sea region due to the lack of funding and personnel, both in the field and for the coordination and stimulation of the network.
On this basis, the French “Ministère de l’Ecologie, du Développement durable, des Transports et du Logement”, the French Office for Game and Widlife, the Tour du Valat and Wetlands International, with the support of the MAVA Foundation have recently initiated a project aiming at reinforcing the IWC program in this region. This project especially focuses on regenerating interest for the IWC by fostering the exchange of information between Wetlands International and national and local observers and coordinators. Synergies will be established with other ongoing projects (e.g., Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory), in order to best capitalize on knowledge and progresses for wetlands and waterbirds conservation.
Contact: Anne-Laure Brochet – brochet(at)tourduvalat.org [1] – Ph: +33 (0)4 90 97 29 50