Waterbird Conservation for the Americas, through BirdLife International, has initiated a regional waterbird conservation planning project throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Caribbean aquatic habitats are constantly being damaged or degraded, affecting waterbird populations.
This project aims to provide coherence to the numerous waterbird activities being implemented in the Caribbean. Linking existing initiatives will facilitate information and experience sharing, and
therefore help develop the region's waterbird conservation capacity. New projects will benefit from being set within the context of a regional plan, and from being part of an informed waterbird conservation community.
The term “waterbirds” covers seabirds, wading birds, marsh birds, waterfowl and shorebirds. Many waterbirds are congregatory nesters in a limited area, depending almost entirely on the health of their breeding sites. Non-colonial waterbirds remain to be assessed quantitatively, though many populations are known to be at risk.
This project will determine the status of the waterbirds in the Caribbean and their habitats, raise awareness and support for waterbird conservation strategies, develop local capacity to monitor waterbirds, and develop strategies for the highest priorities sites.
This project, which is supported by the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, will link on-going initiatives (Caribbean Important Bird Areas, Caribbean Waterbird Conservation Plan and other Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds projects) and make the information available for stakeholders.
Among the results expected are a document summarizing on-going initiatives and resources for aquatic habitats protection, and maps on priority sites for waterbirds in the Caribbean. The information will be made available through the SCSCB and BirdLife web sites, and will enhance cooperation on national and international level.
For more information, contact Veronica Anadón