Wet grasslands are vital ecosystems, home to iconic bird species like the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa limosa), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), and Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). Yet, these habitats, and the birds that depend on them, are under multiple threats like habitat loss, intensive agriculture, climate change, and increasing predation pressure.
Today, we present a Strategic Conservation Plan (SCP) for Wet-Grassland Breeding Birds, a collaborative effort to reverse the declines of bird populations and restore biodiversity of wet grasslands and wet meadows in Germany. This plan was developed in the framework of the LIFE IP GrassBirdHabitats (LIFE19 IPE/DE/000004), a 10-year project with the aim to restore habitats and populations of migratory waders in Lower Saxony and along the East Atlantic Flyway.
Key priorities for action
The SCP outlines a clear roadmap for conservation, emphasizing:
- Holistic conservation: Implementing the ten key measures described in this plan, such as habitat optimization and predation management, concurrently for maximum impact.
- Bold objectives: Scaling up efforts through national projects to mobilize resources and foster innovation.
- Climate action synergies: Integrating bird conservation with climate adaptation measures, like peatland restoration, to attract funding and support.
- Stable financing: Securing long-term funding through EU programs, climate initiatives, and innovative mechanisms.
- Research and innovation: Filling knowledge gaps with cutting-edge research through telemetry studies, applied research, and AI-supported monitoring.
- Collaboration: Strengthening cooperation among federal states, NGOs, farmers, and policymakers to align efforts and share best practices.
Success stories and lessons
The SCP features 11 case studies from Lower Saxony, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, and North Rhine-Westphalia. These examples highlight effective strategies, ranging from holistic conservation approaches and result-based payments for farmers to predation management programs, aimed at fostering knowledge transfer and scaling up successful initiatives.
A call to action
The SCP is a blueprint for change, but its success depends on collective effort. We urge policymakers, conservationists, farmers, and the public to:
- Adopt the plan’s recommendations in local and regional strategies.
- Advocate for stronger support for wet-grassland bird conservation.
- Collaborate across sectors to make bird-friendly practices standard.
- Support research and innovation to improve conservation outcomes.
The SCP is currently available only in English. Key messages from the SCP will later be distilled into succinct, clear German versions. You can download the full plan below.
