The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi (EAD) along with Wetlands International have launched the Waterbird Populations Portal (WPP) which is an online interactive platform that showcases recent data on the status and distribution of the world’s waterbird populations.
The portal will offer the latest population size and trends of over 870 waterbird species including Greater Flamingos, the Sarus Crane, Sandpipers, the Crab Plover and more.
In order to help conserve the species, easily available information on their status and trends is required for individuals, scientists and government authorities to help take action in the UAE and around the world.
Additionally, the portal will provide links to 160 threatened waterbird species, as per the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and will also support the development and actions of the Ramsar Convention, the Convention on Migratory Species, the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as major regional or flyway initiatives.
Dr Salim Javed, Acting Director of the Terrestrial Biodiversity Division of EAD said, "Interactive maps and the latest 1% threshold of each population will allow us to identify and prioritise sites for local-level planning and inclusion within protected area networks, as well as the declaration of sites as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. EAD also coordinates the International Waterbird Census (IWC) in the UAE, a long-standing citizen science initiative that allows volunteers to visit important wetlands across the UAE and collect data on waterbirds. Information from a dedicated group of volunteers allows collection of useful data on waterbirds, which feeds into the estimation of waterbird populations."
For more information, visit the Waterbird Populations Portal.