Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Waterbird communities along the estuarine salinity gradient of the Schelde estuary, NW-Europe

  • Published:
Biodiversity & Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The zonation of non-breeding waterbirds along the Schelde estuary (The Netherlands–Belgium), one of the longest estuaries in NW-Europe with still a complete salinity gradient, including a large freshwater tidal area, was described. Numbers of birds were counted monthly over the period October 1991 to June 1997. Highest numbers of waterbirds were observed in late autumn and winter, with annual peak numbers ranging between 150,000 and 235,000 individuals for the whole estuary. Based on a multivariate analysis different waterbird communities were observed along the salinity gradient. The polyhaline areas of the estuary were numerically dominated by the waders Oystercatcher and Dunlin. Due to the presence of a large brackish marsh in the mesohaline zone, the waterbird community in this area was dominated by the herbivores Wigeon and Greylag Goose. In the oligohaline and freshwater tidal areas, the waterbird community was dominated by duck species, with Teal and Mallard being the most important. The international importance of the Schelde estuary for waterbirds was evidenced by the fact that for 21 waterbird species the 1% level criterion, according to the Ramsar convention, was exceeded. The relation of the observed diversity and community patterns with the functional and habitat diversity of the Schelde estuary as well as the effect of recent conservation measures to preserve this habitat were discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aerts BA, Esselink P and Helder GJF (1996) Habitat selection and diet composition of Greylag Geese Anser anser and Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis during fall and spring staging in relation to management in the tidal marshes of the Dollard. Zeitschrift für Ökologie und Naturschutz 5: 65–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson-Willes GL (1976) The numerical distribution of ducks, swans and Coots as a guide in assessing the importance of wetlands in midwinter. In: Smart M (ed) Proceedings of International Conference on Conservation of Wetlands and Waterfowl, pp 199–254. Heiligenhafen, Germany

  • Avoine J, Allen GP, Nichols M, Salomon JC and Larsonneur C (1981) Suspended-sediment transport in the Seine estuary, France: effect of man-made modifications on estuary-shelf sedimentology. Marine Geology 40: 119–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Billen G, Lancelot C and Meybeck M (1991) N, P and Si retention along the aquatic continuum from land to ocean. In:Mantoura RFC, Martin JM and Wollast R (eds) Ocean Margin Processes in Global Change, pp 19–44. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd H and Pirot J-Y (1989) Flyways and Reserve Networks for Water Birds. IWRB Special Publication No. 9, Slimbridge

  • Buxton NE (1981) The importance of food in the determination of the winter flock sites of the Shelduck. Wildfowl 32: 79–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr MR, Carter RG and Clarke KR (1993) User Guide to PRIMER v. 3.1b (Plymouth Routines in Multivariate Ecological Research). Version prepared for training workshop at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, October 1993

  • Clarke KR (1993) Non-parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure. Australian Journal of Ecology 18: 117–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Clifford HT and Stephenson W(1975) An Introduction to Numerical Classification. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Costanza R, Kemp WM and Boynton WR (1993) Predictability, scale, and biodiversity in coastal and estuarine ecosystems: implications for management. Ambio 22: 88–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Costanza R, d'Arge R, de Groot R, Farber S, Grasso M, Hannon B, Limburg K, Naeem S, O'Neill RV, Paruelo J, Raskin RG, Sutton P and van den Belt M (1997) The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387: 253–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daily GC, Alexander S, Ehrlich PR, Goulder L, Lubchenco J, Matson PA, Mooney HA, Postel S, Schneider SH, Tilman D and Woodwell GM (1997) Ecosystem services: benefits supplied to human societys by natural ecosystems. Ecological Society of America, Issues in Ecology No. 2

  • Davidson NC (1991) Human activities and wildlife conservation on estuaries of different sizes: a comment. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 1: 89–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson NC, d'A Laffoley D, Doody JP, Way LS, Gordon J, Key R, Drake CM, Pienkowski MW, Mitchell R and Duff KL (1991) Conservation and Estuaries of Great Britain. Peterborough, Nature Conservancy Council

  • Day JW, Hall AS, Kemp WM and Yanez-Arancibia A (1989) Estuarine Ecology. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ens BJ, Piersma T and Drent RH (1994) The dependence of waders and waterfowl migrating along the East Atlantic Flyway on their coastal food supplies: what is the most profitable research program? Ophelia Suppl 6: 127–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans PR and Dugan PJ (1984) Coastal birds: numbers in relation to food resources. In: Evans PR, Goss-Custard JD and Hale WG (eds) Coastal Waders and Wildfowl inWinter, pp 8–28. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans PR, Goss-Custard JD and Hale WG (1984) Coastal Waders and Wildfowl in Winter. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairbridge R (1980) The estuary: its definition and geodynamic cycle. In: Olausson E and Cato I (eds) Chemistry and Biochemistry of Estuaries, pp 1–35. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson HA and Wolff WJ (1983) The Haringvliet-project: the development of the Rhine-Meuse estuary from tidal inlet to stagnant freshwater lake. Water Science and Technology 16: 11–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Furness RW and Greenwood JJD (1993) Birds as Monitors of Environmental Change. Chapman & Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauch HG (1982) Multivariate Analysis in Community Ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Goss-Custard JD (1985) Foraging behaviour of wading birds and the carrying capacity of estuaries. In: Sibly RM and Smith RH (eds) Behavioural Ecology, pp 169–188. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray JS (1976) The fauna of the polluted Tees estuary. Estuarine and coastal marine Sciences 4: 652–676

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray JS (1997) Marine biodiversity: patterns, threats and conservation needs. Biodiversity and Conservation 6: 153–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruskal JB and Wish M (1978) Multidimensional Scaling. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambshead PJD, Platt HM and Shaw km (1983) The dedection of differences among assemblages of marine benthic species based on an assessment of dominance and diversity. Journal of Natural History 17: 859–874

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebret T (1979) Biesbosch-birds [in Dutch]. Kosmos, Amsterdam-Antwerpen

    Google Scholar 

  • McLusky DS (1993) Marine and estuarine gradients. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 27: 489–493

    Google Scholar 

  • McLusky DS (1999) Estuarine benthic ecology: a European perspective. Australian Journal of Ecology 24: 302–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Meininger PL and Snoek H (1992) Non-breeding Shelduck in the SW-Netherlands: effects of habitat changes on distribution, numbers, moulting sites and food. Wildfowl 43: 139–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Meininger PL, Schekkerman H and van Roomen MDW (1995) Population estimates and 1%-levels for waterbird species occurring in The Netherlands: suggestions for standardisation. Limosa 68: 41–48[in Dutch with English summary]

    Google Scholar 

  • Meininger PL, Berrevoets CM and Strucker RCW (1997) Waterbirds in the salt waters of the Delta area, south-west Netherlands, 1995/96 [in Dutch with English summary]. Rijksinstituut voor Kust en Zee, RIKZ-97.001, Middelburg, The Netherlands

  • Meininger PL, Berrevoets CM and Strucker RCW (1998) Waterbirds in the salt waters of the Delta area, south-west Netherlands, 1996/97 [in Dutch with English summary]. Rijksinstituut voor Kust en Zee (RIKZ), RIKZ-98.001, Middelburg, The Netherlands

  • Meire PM, Seys J, Ysebaert T, Meininger PL and Baptist HJM (1989) A changing Delta: effects of large coastal engineering works on feeding ecological relationships as illustrated by waterbirds. In: Hooghart JC and Posthumus CWS (eds) Hydro-Ecological Relations in the Delta Waters of the SW Netherlands, pp 109–145. TNO Committee on Hydrological Research Proc. and Informations No. 41

  • Meltofte H, Blew J, Frikke J, Rösner H-U and Smit CJ (1994) Numbers and distribution of waterbirds in the Wadden Sea. Results and evaluation of 36 simultaneous counts in the Dutch–German–Danish Wadden Sea 1980–1991. IWRB Publication 34/Wader Study Group Bulletin 74, Special Issue

  • Moreira F (1995) The winter feeding ecology of Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta on intertidal areas. II. Diet and feeding mechanisms. Ibis 137: 99–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Moser M, Prentice RC and Van Vessem J (1993) Waterfowl and wetland conservation in the 1990s – a global perspective. IWRB Special Publ. No. 26. Slimbridge, UK, 263 pp

  • Mostert K, Adriaanse LA, Meininger PL and Meire PM (1990) Vogelconcentraties en vogelbewegingen in Zeeland. Rijkswaterstaat, Directie Zeeland, Dienst Getijdewateren, Rijksuniversiteit Gent. Middelburg/ Gent [in Dutch]

  • Nillson L, Follestad A, Koffijberg K, Kuijken E, Madsen J, Mooij J, Mouronval JB, Persson H, Schricke V and Voslamber B (1999). Greylag Goose: Anser Anser: northwest Europe. In: Madsen J, Cracknell G and Fox AD (eds) Goose Populations of theWestern Palearctic. A Review of Status and Distribution, pp 182–201. Wetlands International Publ. No. 48, Wetlands International, Wageningen, The Netherlands. National Environmental Research Institute, Rönde, Denmark

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum EP (1983) Basic Ecology. Holt-Saunders International Editions

  • Odum WE (1988) Comparative ecology of tidal freshwater and salt marshes. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 19: 147–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Perennou C, Mundkur T, Scott DA, Follestad A and Kvenild L (1994) The Asian Waterfowl Census 1987– 91: Distribution and status of Asian Waterfowl. AWB Publication No. 86. IWRB Publication No. 24, 372 pp. AWB, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and IWRB, Slimbridge, UK

  • Perrings C, Folke C and Mäler K-G (1992) The ecology and economics of biodiversity loss: the research agenda. Ambio 21: 28–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Pienkowski MW and Evans PR (1984) Migratory behavior of shorebirds in the western Palearctic. In: Burger J and Olla BL (eds) Behavior of Marine Animals, Vol 6: Shorebirds: Migration and Foraging Behavior, pp 73–123. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Piersma T, Hoekstra R, Dekinga A, Koolhaas A, Wolf P, Battley P and Wiersma P (1993) Scale and intensity of intertidal habitat use by knots Calidris canutus in the western Wadden Sea in relation to food, friends and foes. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 31: 331–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Prater AJ (1981) Estuary Birds of Britain and Ireland. T. Calton & A. Poyser, Calton

    Google Scholar 

  • Prendergast JR, Quinn RM, Lawton JH, Eversham BC and Gibbons DW (1993) Rare species, the coincidence of diversity hotspots and conservation strategies. Nature 365: 335–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Rofritz DJ (1977) Oligochaetes as a winter food source for the Old Squaw. Journal ofWildlife Management 41: 590–591

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose PM and Scott DA (1997) Waterfowl population estimates. Wetlands International Publication 44, Wageningen, The Netherlands

  • Schekkerman H, Meininger PL and Meire PM (1994) Changes in the waterbird populations of the Oosterschelde (SW Netherlands) as a result of large-scale coastal engineering works. Hydrobiologia 282/283: 509–524

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott DA and Rose PM (1996) Atlas of Anatidae Populations in Africa and Western Eurasia. Wetlands International Publication No. 41, Wetlands International, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Seys J, VincxM, and Meire P (1999) Spatial distribution of Oligochaeta in the tidal freshwater and brackish parts of the Schelde estuary. Hydrobiologia 406: 119–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Smit CJ, Lambeck RHD and Wolff WJ (1987) Threats to coastal wintering and staging areas of waders. In: Davidson NC and Pienkowski MW (eds) The Conservation of International Flyway Populations of Waders. Wader Study Group Bulletin 49, Suppl: 105–113

  • Smit CJ and Piersma T (1989) Numbers, midwinterdistribution, and migration of wader populations using the East Atlantic Flyway. In: Boyd H and Pirot J-Y (eds) Flyways and Reserve Networks for Water Birds, pp 24–63. IWRB Special Publication No. 9. Slimbridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Smit H, Kop R and Westmacott S (1997a) Strategies to combine the functions of ecology and navigation in the Scheldt estuary. J. CIWEM 11: 251–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Smit H, Smits R, Van der Velde G and Coops H (1997b) Ecosystem responses in the Rhine-Meuse Delta during two decades after enclosure and steps toward estuary restoration. Estuaries 20: 504–520

    Google Scholar 

  • Strucker RCW, Preesman LC and Verkerk J (1994) Watervogels van de zoetwatergetijderiver de Oude Maas. Limosa 67: 45–52[in Dutch with English summary]

    Google Scholar 

  • Suchanek TH (1994) Temperate coastal marine communities: biodiversity and threats. American Zoologist 34: 100–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson DBA (1982) The abundance and distribution of intertidal invertebrates and an estimation of their selection by Shelduck. Wildfowl 33: 151–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Underhill LG and Prÿs-Jones RP (1994) Index numbers for waterbird populations. I. Review and methodology. Journal of Applied Ecology 31: 463–480

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Damme S, Meire P, Maeckelberghe H, Verdievel M, Bourgoing L, Taverniers E, Ysebaert T and Wattel G (1995) De waterkwaliteit van de Zeeschelde: evolutie in de voorbije dertig jaar. Water 85: 244–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Eck GTM, De Bruijckere FLG, De Meyer E and Maeckelberghe H (1998) Naar een schone Schelde. Water 102: 293–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Zoest R and Van Eck GT (1993) Behaviour of selected PCBs, PAHs and-HCH in the Scheldt estuary, S.W. Netherlands. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecololgy 27: 288–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Vroon J, Storm C and Coosen J (1997) Westerschelde, stram of struis? Eindrapport van het Project Oostwest, een studie naar de beïnvloeding van fysische en verwante biologische patronen in een estuarium. Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat, Directoraat-Generaal Rijkswaterstaat, Rijksinstituut voor Kust en Zee (RIKZ). Rapport RIKZ 97.023, Middelburg, The Nederlands

  • Warnes JM (1981) The impact of overwintering birds on the production ecology of estuarine benthic invertebrates. PhD Thesis. University of Stirling, Stirling, UK, 177 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff WJ (1969) Distribution of non-breeding waders in an estuarine area in relation to the distribution of their food organisms. Ardea 57: 1–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff WJ (1973) The estuary as a habitat. Zoologische Verhandelingen Leiden 126: 242 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Wollast R (1988) The Scheldt estuary. In: Salomons W, Bayne BL, Duursma EK and Förstner U (eds) Pollution of the North Sea: An Assessment, pp 183–193. Springer-Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Ysebaert T and Meire P (1999) Macrobenthos of the Schelde estuary: predicting macrobenthic species responses in the estuarine environment. A statistical analysis of the Schelde estuary macrobenthos within the ECOFLAT project. Report Institute of Nature Conservation IN 99/19. Brussels, Belgium

  • Ysebaert T, Meire P, Maes D and Buijs J (1993) The benthic macrofauna along the estuarine gradient of the Schelde estuary. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 27: 327–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Ysebaert T, Meire P, Coosen J and Essink K (1998a) Zonation of intertidal macrobenthos in the estuaries of Schelde and Ems. Aquatic Ecology 32: 53–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Ysebaert T, Devos K, Anselin A, Meire P and Kuijken E (1998b) Waterbirds along the Zeeschelde (Belgium) in 1995/96 [in Dutch with English summary]. Report Institute of Nature Conservation 98/16, Brussel

  • Ysebaert T, Devos K, Anselin A, Meire P and Kuijken E (1999) Waterbirds along the Zeeschelde (Belgium) in 1996/97 [in Dutch with English summary]. Report Institute of Nature Conservation 99/10, Brussel

  • Zwarts L (1976) Density-related processes in feeding dispersion and feeding activity of Teal (Anas crecca). Ardea 64: 192–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwarts L (1997) Waders and their estuarine food supplies. PhD Thesis, State University, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwarts L and Blomert A-M (1992) Why knot Calidris canutus take medium-sized Macoma balthica when six prey species are available. Marine Ecology Progress Series 83: 113–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwolsman JJG (1999) Geochemistry of trace metals in the Scheldt estuary. Geologica Ultraiectina, Mededelingen van de Faculteit Aardwetenschappen no. 171, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Patrick Meire

    Present address: Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Nature Conservation, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Kliniekstraat 25, B-1070, Brussel, Belgium

    Tom Ysebaert, Patrick Meire, Koen Devos & Eckhart Kuijken

  2. Rijkswaterstaat, National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ, P.O. Box 8039, 4330 EA, Middelburg, The Netherlands

    Peter L. Meininger & Cor. M. Berrevoets

  3. Delta Project Management, P.O. Box 315, 4100 AH, Culemborg, The Netherlands

    Rob C.W. Strucker

Authors
  1. Tom Ysebaert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter L. Meininger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Patrick Meire
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Koen Devos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Cor. M. Berrevoets
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Rob C.W. Strucker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Eckhart Kuijken
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ysebaert, T., Meininger, P.L., Meire, P. et al. Waterbird communities along the estuarine salinity gradient of the Schelde estuary, NW-Europe. Biodiversity and Conservation 9, 1275–1296 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008976306651

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008976306651

Search

Navigation