Migratory waterbirds such as geese and waders depend on a connected network of wetlands from Europe to Africa. Wetlands also benefit people by providing clean water and opportunities for fishing, agriculture, recreation and tourism. However, despite their importance, wetlands are amongst the world’s most threatened ecosystems!
THREATS
Wetlands are threatened because we convert them to land for agriculture and construction, but also because of drought, over-fishing and pollution.
CONSERVATION ACTION
BirdLife is a key partner in the international project "Wings over Wetlands" (WOW). This project is making an enormous difference to the understanding of migratory waterbirds and their needs, such as using land wisely. It also increases good cooperation between many stakeholders along the flyway.
Through WOW, BirdLife data from ‘Important Bird Areas’ are being used to identify networks of critical wetlands, the key sites required by each waterbird population to complete its annual cycle.
For more information about our flyway programme to save migratory waterbirds visit
http://www.birdlife.org/flyways/africa_eurasia/waterbirds/index.html
Click on a migratory bird for a close-up
Click on the globe and check the migratory map
