Spatial and temporal trends of waterfowl in the Sea Scheldt - ecosystem research (De Vlaamse Waterweg nv)

Waterfowl are one of the main users of the Scheldt ecosystem. They are easy to observe and regarded with affection by the general public. Moreover, their position at the top of the food chain means that they serve as an indicator of the general state of a system. These aspects make waterfowl particularly suitable for the assessment of policy. In order to play this policy support role, waterfowl are continuously monitored by INBO in MONEOS, the monitoring programme coordinated by the Flemish-Dutch Scheldt Commission. The research focuses on which characteristics of the Scheldt are decisive for the occurrence of waterfowl, and how these variables determine bird numbers. The objective is to create a policy support instrument that can estimate quantitative and qualitative changes in habitats and other system characteristics (e.g. primary production, benthic organisms, waves, etc.) on waterfowl numbers in the Scheldt estuary. This instrument can be used to evaluate the effect of interventions on waterfowl objectives as stated in the Long-Term Vision 2030 and made concrete in the Conservation Objectives (Natura 2000).