Shorebird Threats and Declines

1. Shorebird Threats and Declines

2. Global & Flyway threats Habitat destruction Habitat alteration Climate change Shorebird populations are declining worldwide, and threats to their survival are increasing dramatically. 44% of shorebird populations with known trends are decreasing…..and an estimated 20% of species in our flyway are globally threatened Shorebirds using the East-Asian Australasian Flyway are under increasing pressure from widespread habitat destruction, particularly coastal and urban development. They share the region with almost half of the world’s human population…and now the stopover wetlands and intertidal coastal mudflats that these birds rely on for food and recuperation are disappearing all along their migratory paths. In the Yellow Sea region alone, an estimated 50% of the tidal habitat has been lost to large coastal reclamation projects. Climate change is also thought to be altering the climate and productivity of shorebird breeding and staging sites. For years shorebird experts have wanted to do a better job at monitoring shorebird populations Despite all this, we don’t have a good understanding (or much concrete evidence) of what was happening to shorebird populations in this flyway These factors led to the creation of the Shorebirds 2020 program. Shorebird populations are declining worldwide, and threats to their survival are increasing dramatically. 44% of shorebird populations with known trends are decreasing…..and an estimated 20% of species in our flyway are globally threatened Shorebirds using the East-Asian Australasian Flyway are under increasing pressure from widespread habitat destruction, particularly coastal and urban development. They share the region with almost half of the world’s human population…and now the stopover wetlands and intertidal coastal mudflats that these birds rely on for food and recuperation are disappearing all along their migratory paths. In the Yellow Sea region alone, an estimated 50% of the tidal habitat has been lost to large coastal reclamation projects. Climate change is also thought to be altering the climate and productivity of shorebird breeding and staging sites. For years shorebird experts have wanted to do a better job at monitoring shorebird populations Despite all this, we don’t have a good understanding (or much concrete evidence) of what was happening to shorebird populations in this flyway These factors led to the creation of the Shorebirds 2020 program.

3. Probably the worst example of habitat destruction in the Yellow Sea occurred in Saemangeum, South Korea This was the most important known area for shorebirds in our flyway; A place that shorebirds needed to refuel while migrating north, over 200,000 shorebirds stopped there each year. 30% of world population of Great Knot used this area And it was the most important area in the flyway for the endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper that has a world population of only 150 pairs And the Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank with a world population of less than 1000 Saemanguem also supported over 20,000 people who made a living by sustainably harvesting shellfish from the tidal flatsProbably the worst example of habitat destruction in the Yellow Sea occurred in Saemangeum, South Korea This was the most important known area for shorebirds in our flyway; A place that shorebirds needed to refuel while migrating north, over 200,000 shorebirds stopped there each year. 30% of world population of Great Knot used this area And it was the most important area in the flyway for the endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper that has a world population of only 150 pairs And the Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank with a world population of less than 1000 Saemanguem also supported over 20,000 people who made a living by sustainably harvesting shellfish from the tidal flats

4. Habitat loss in Saemangeum, South Korea Despite wide protest In 2006, the government of the Republic of Korea finished the construction of a 33-kilometre seawall. The wall isolated 401 square kilometres of tidal flats (roughly seven times the size of Port Jackson) from the ocean and destroyed the most important shorebird site within the Yellow Sea. ‘Saemangeum’, once a fertile and vast tidal flat, is now being turned into land for industry and agriculture.Despite wide protest In 2006, the government of the Republic of Korea finished the construction of a 33-kilometre seawall. The wall isolated 401 square kilometres of tidal flats (roughly seven times the size of Port Jackson) from the ocean and destroyed the most important shorebird site within the Yellow Sea. ‘Saemangeum’, once a fertile and vast tidal flat, is now being turned into land for industry and agriculture.

5. The AWSG and Birds Korea wanted to record the impact of the Saemangeum seawall on shorebird numbers in the Flyway. The results were staggering. The study revealed a decline of 137,000 shorebirds from Saemangeum on their migration north to breed. From the graph in the middle you can see the decline in shorebirds at Seamanguem (the red line), a slight increase in the number of shorebirds in the adjacent Guem estuary (the black line), but overall the blue line shows a large decline in the region. And between 2006 and 2008, the numbers of nineteen of the most numerous shorebird species dropped. The hardest hit was the Great Knot And the 90,000 Great Knot that have gone missing from the region represent well over 20% of the total world population. All this at just one place, in a couple of years The AWSG and Birds Korea wanted to record the impact of the Saemangeum seawall on shorebird numbers in the Flyway. The results were staggering. The study revealed a decline of 137,000 shorebirds from Saemangeum on their migration north to breed. From the graph in the middle you can see the decline in shorebirds at Seamanguem (the red line), a slight increase in the number of shorebirds in the adjacent Guem estuary (the black line), but overall the blue line shows a large decline in the region. And between 2006 and 2008, the numbers of nineteen of the most numerous shorebird species dropped. The hardest hit was the Great Knot And the 90,000 Great Knot that have gone missing from the region represent well over 20% of the total world population. All this at just one place, in a couple of years

6. Unfortunately, many simply argued that the birds that no longer could use Saemanguem would just move someplace else. So another project worked to answer this question, MYSMA (or Monitoring Yellow Sea Migrants in Australia) : When 90,000 Great Knot go missing from Saemangeum, do they also go missing from NW Australia? Have they moved to other staging sites, or have they in fact died? If they have moved, we’d expect to see the same number in NW Australia, while if they died, we expect to see over 20,000 fewer Great Knot in NW Australia based on banding studies which give us an estimate of the number of Great Knot from NW Australia that are likely to use Saemanguem. Unfortunately, many simply argued that the birds that no longer could use Saemanguem would just move someplace else. So another project worked to answer this question, MYSMA (or Monitoring Yellow Sea Migrants in Australia) : When 90,000 Great Knot go missing from Saemangeum, do they also go missing from NW Australia? Have they moved to other staging sites, or have they in fact died? If they have moved, we’d expect to see the same number in NW Australia, while if they died, we expect to see over 20,000 fewer Great Knot in NW Australia based on banding studies which give us an estimate of the number of Great Knot from NW Australia that are likely to use Saemanguem.

7. Unfortunately, the data seems to suggest that around 18,000 fewer Great Knot were in NW Australia by 2007 And more recent complete counts of 80 mile Beach have confirmed this decline So the evidence suggests that (over 80% of the 90,000 great Knots that went missing) from Saemangeum have died.Unfortunately, the data seems to suggest that around 18,000 fewer Great Knot were in NW Australia by 2007 And more recent complete counts of 80 mile Beach have confirmed this decline So the evidence suggests that (over 80% of the 90,000 great Knots that went missing) from Saemangeum have died.

8. Port Development in Bo Hai Bay, China Largest Chinese port to be built to date, Caofedian, in Bo Hai Bay in the Yellow Sea. Over 40,000 km2 of tidal flats to be ‘reclaimed’. In 2009 researchers counted 50,000 Red Knot on northward migration at Bo Hai Bay Estimated up to three quarters of Flyway population of Red Knot dependant on this one tidal flat during northward migration Once completed, the new port will receive shipments of Australian coal and ore. Now, a new shorebird threat (one of many) has recently emerged in China. This year, the largest Chinese port to be built to-date, Caofedien, will be completed in Bo Hai Bay in the Yellow Sea. Over 40 square kilometres of tidal flats will be reclaimed. Dependent on these tidal flats is the Red Knot. Population counts in 2009 recorded roughly 50,000 individual Red Knots in Caofedien. Previously very little was known about staging sites for Red Knot, It is thought that up to three-quarters of the Flyway population of Red Knot are dependent on the Caofedien tidal flats during their migration north. Once completed, the port of Bo Hai Bay will receive shipments of Australian coal and ore - Australian ships will dock at the core of what was once a Red Knot hotspot.Now, a new shorebird threat (one of many) has recently emerged in China. This year, the largest Chinese port to be built to-date, Caofedien, will be completed in Bo Hai Bay in the Yellow Sea. Over 40 square kilometres of tidal flats will be reclaimed. Dependent on these tidal flats is the Red Knot. Population counts in 2009 recorded roughly 50,000 individual Red Knots in Caofedien. Previously very little was known about staging sites for Red Knot, It is thought that up to three-quarters of the Flyway population of Red Knot are dependent on the Caofedien tidal flats during their migration north. Once completed, the port of Bo Hai Bay will receive shipments of Australian coal and ore - Australian ships will dock at the core of what was once a Red Knot hotspot.

9. Local threats Shorebirds in Australia are also under pressure from a number of threats, including: Coastal development and reclamation of wetlands Loss of inland wetlands in southern Australia due to prolonged drought and over extraction for agriculture Disturbance from humans and accidental mortality especially during breeding from trampling of nests by vehicles, people etc Climate change which can cause drying out of inland ephemeral wetlands and reduce coastal habitat as sea levels rise introduced predators, including dogs on beaches invasive weeds encroaching on habitat And Pollution Shorebirds in Australia are also under pressure from a number of threats, including: Coastal development and reclamation of wetlands Loss of inland wetlands in southern Australia due to prolonged drought and over extraction for agriculture Disturbance from humans and accidental mortality especially during breeding from trampling of nests by vehicles, people etc Climate change which can cause drying out of inland ephemeral wetlands and reduce coastal habitat as sea levels rise introduced predators, including dogs on beaches invasive weeds encroaching on habitat And Pollution

10. Population declines in Australia  New data = reporting of obvious large changes in shorebird numbers Coorong and inland lakes ~100,000 fewer shorebirds 1980’s average vs. last 5 years Through the Shorebirds 2020 project, All the new data we are receiving, both new and from bringing together historical data sets, is giving us a better understanding of how large and wide spread population declines appear to be. And is also enabling us to report on some of the obvious large changes in shorebird numbers If we look at the 30 inland wetlands where we have good data, and compare the average numbers in the 1980’s and those recorded over the last five years, we find that there are now approx 100,000 fewer shorebirds Through the Shorebirds 2020 project, All the new data we are receiving, both new and from bringing together historical data sets, is giving us a better understanding of how large and wide spread population declines appear to be. And is also enabling us to report on some of the obvious large changes in shorebird numbers If we look at the 30 inland wetlands where we have good data, and compare the average numbers in the 1980’s and those recorded over the last five years, we find that there are now approx 100,000 fewer shorebirds

11. If we exclude the Coorong and look at the remaining 29 inland areas Curlew Sandpiper have declined from over 3,000 in the 80’s to 5 in this last summer Sharp-tailed sandpipers have gone from 11,417 to 814 Overall the number of shorebirds in these areas has gone from 68,595 to 1,410If we exclude the Coorong and look at the remaining 29 inland areas Curlew Sandpiper have declined from over 3,000 in the 80’s to 5 in this last summer Sharp-tailed sandpipers have gone from 11,417 to 814 Overall the number of shorebirds in these areas has gone from 68,595 to 1,410

12. Further literature review and data analysis done by Birds Australia suggests 21 shorebird species are showing evidence of decline in Australia The evidence of decline ranged from statistically significant declines in an area, to widely but less rigorously reported declines, But in only 6 species has the evidence raised to a level where we might be fairly confident that there have been national population declines. This is thanks in part to the new studies being done throughout Australia, notably the work done in Queensland with QWSG data by Richard Fuller and others, and the work done in NW Australia by Danny Rogers and others. There remain however, 18 species that are showing some evidence of decline but there is not enough evidence to be confident that these declines are national in scaleFurther literature review and data analysis done by Birds Australia suggests 21 shorebird species are showing evidence of decline in Australia The evidence of decline ranged from statistically significant declines in an area, to widely but less rigorously reported declines, But in only 6 species has the evidence raised to a level where we might be fairly confident that there have been national population declines. This is thanks in part to the new studies being done throughout Australia, notably the work done in Queensland with QWSG data by Richard Fuller and others, and the work done in NW Australia by Danny Rogers and others. There remain however, 18 species that are showing some evidence of decline but there is not enough evidence to be confident that these declines are national in scale

13. This same review did identify four species whose numbers appear to be increasing, especially Sanderling and Sooty Oystercatcher Another ten species are showing significant increases in some areas and significant declines in other areas. So while 27,000 sharp-tailed Sandpiper appear to have gone missing from Southern Australia, we can not yet rule out that many of them ended up in the north of the country. Again, if population monitoring continues around the country we expect to continue to build on the evidence until in five years we can report on the trends from these species with much greater confidence than we can now.This same review did identify four species whose numbers appear to be increasing, especially Sanderling and Sooty Oystercatcher Another ten species are showing significant increases in some areas and significant declines in other areas. So while 27,000 sharp-tailed Sandpiper appear to have gone missing from Southern Australia, we can not yet rule out that many of them ended up in the north of the country. Again, if population monitoring continues around the country we expect to continue to build on the evidence until in five years we can report on the trends from these species with much greater confidence than we can now.

14. Data suggests more declines… Data 40+ sites comparing average numbers 1981-1987 vs. 2004 – 2009 show net losses: Red-necked Stint ~ 30,000 Curlew Sandpiper ~ 60,000+ Sharp-tailed Sandpiper ~ 27,000 Recent data analysis suggests more declines We Looked at 49 sites comparing average numbers between 1981-1987 and 2004-2009, and found that: Red-necked Stint have declined by around 30,000 individuals, Curlew Sandpiper by 60,000+ individuals Sharp-tailed Sandpiper by around 27,000 These represent 10 – 30% of the known flyway population of these birds, and perhaps more.. Further, on average curlew sandpiper have declined by over 75% at all sites in Australia We can not be sure how accurate these estimates might be at present, and there are fears that they may be greater soon Shorebirds 2020 is designed to be able to report these kinds of findings with confidence in five years, but in the meantime, bringing datasets together is giving us a better understanding of how widespread and large these declines might be Recent data analysis suggests more declines We Looked at 49 sites comparing average numbers between 1981-1987 and 2004-2009, and found that: Red-necked Stint have declined by around 30,000 individuals, Curlew Sandpiper by 60,000+ individuals Sharp-tailed Sandpiper by around 27,000 These represent 10 – 30% of the known flyway population of these birds, and perhaps more.. Further, on average curlew sandpiper have declined by over 75% at all sites in Australia We can not be sure how accurate these estimates might be at present, and there are fears that they may be greater soon Shorebirds 2020 is designed to be able to report these kinds of findings with confidence in five years, but in the meantime, bringing datasets together is giving us a better understanding of how widespread and large these declines might be

15. Upgraded IUCN listing for Eastern Curlew and Great Knot Upgrading from Least Concern to Vulnerable A2a (past and predicted future declines) Eastern Curlew: Flyway declines >50% Great Knot: rapid 20% decline in Flyway population as a result of the Saemangeum reclamation A recent outcome has been that BirdLife have decided to uplist both Great Knot and Eastern Curlew from Least Concern to Vulnerable under criterion A4 (past and predicted future declines) on the 2010 IUCN Red List, which is due to be formally launched on 26 May. (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Eastern Curlew (Flyway-wide declines averaging greater than 50%) Great Knot (rapid 20% decline in the Flyway population). Whilst this is clearly bad news; it is good that their declines are getting more recognition, and shows the importance of the Data collected as part of the national monitoring program, which has been vital to informing this process. A recent outcome has been that BirdLife have decided to uplist both Great Knot and Eastern Curlew from Least Concern to Vulnerable under criterion A4 (past and predicted future declines) on the 2010 IUCN Red List, which is due to be formally launched on 26 May. (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Eastern Curlew (Flyway-wide declines averaging greater than 50%) Great Knot (rapid 20% decline in the Flyway population). Whilst this is clearly bad news; it is good that their declines are getting more recognition, and shows the importance of the Data collected as part of the national monitoring program, which has been vital to informing this process.

16. Nationally significant criteria, EPBC Act Policy Statement Another example of how we use data from the national programs to try and improve conservation outcomes for shorebirds is looking at how we identify important shorebird habitat in Australia. At the national scale, all birds listed under our international Migratory Bird Agreements (JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA) are protected as matters of national significance under the EPBC Act (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). We made the case to them that 50% to 80% of some migratory species that visit Australia are currently found outside the current set of “internationally important areas” We felt that a first step toward recognizing these important areas outside “internationally significant areas”, was to lower the thresholds, so a group of “nationally significant” sites can be identified. 20,000 to 2000 - 0.1% FPE to 1% FPE These recommendations have been incorporated into an EPBC Act Policy Statement on migratory shorebirds and we’ve had news just last week that if looks as though the draft policy is about to be signed off on in Canberra. Hopefully this will mean increased recognition and protection for nationally important shorebird sites!Another example of how we use data from the national programs to try and improve conservation outcomes for shorebirds is looking at how we identify important shorebird habitat in Australia. At the national scale, all birds listed under our international Migratory Bird Agreements (JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA) are protected as matters of national significance under the EPBC Act (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). We made the case to them that 50% to 80% of some migratory species that visit Australia are currently found outside the current set of “internationally important areas” We felt that a first step toward recognizing these important areas outside “internationally significant areas”, was to lower the thresholds, so a group of “nationally significant” sites can be identified. 20,000 to 2000 - 0.1% FPE to 1% FPE These recommendations have been incorporated into an EPBC Act Policy Statement on migratory shorebirds and we’ve had news just last week that if looks as though the draft policy is about to be signed off on in Canberra. Hopefully this will mean increased recognition and protection for nationally important shorebird sites!

17. Collect data on: Habitat Threats Disturbance Are changes in Australia driving these declines? So Are things happening in that are Australia driving these declines? The Shorebirds 2020 program aims to better answer these kinds of questions Making data spatially explicit should provide for habitat analysis to help answer this question Other variables we are collecting should also help: by tracking human activity during counts we should have improved measures of the effects of disturbance Collecting data on habitat change and threats at sites will also allow us determine how much habitat loss, or other threats are driving population declines in Australia But if we are going to answer this kind of question the level of activity this year needs to continue and count consistency needs to increase In the meantime we can say with a fair bit of certainty that habitat loss in other parts of the flyway is by far having the greatest effect on migratory shorebirds in Australia. However, within Australia we’re also seeing declines in certain areas - inland wetlands in southern australia and some urban centres – where larger declines are being reported than in other parts of the country, suggesting that climate change, drought and urban/coastal development are impacting on shorebird populations within australia. So Are things happening in that are Australia driving these declines? The Shorebirds 2020 program aims to better answer these kinds of questions Making data spatially explicit should provide for habitat analysis to help answer this question Other variables we are collecting should also help: by tracking human activity during counts we should have improved measures of the effects of disturbance Collecting data on habitat change and threats at sites will also allow us determine how much habitat loss, or other threats are driving population declines in Australia But if we are going to answer this kind of question the level of activity this year needs to continue and count consistency needs to increase In the meantime we can say with a fair bit of certainty that habitat loss in other parts of the flyway is by far having the greatest effect on migratory shorebirds in Australia. However, within Australia we’re also seeing declines in certain areas - inland wetlands in southern australia and some urban centres – where larger declines are being reported than in other parts of the country, suggesting that climate change, drought and urban/coastal development are impacting on shorebird populations within australia.

18. Given all that is happening there is an urgent need to provide compelling evidence of these declines & potential causes, in order for decision makers to take action to protect these species and their habitats However for many species in the EAAF we don’t have enough data These factors led to the creation of the Shorebirds 2020 program…. Given all that is happening there is an urgent need to provide compelling evidence of these declines & potential causes, in order for decision makers to take action to protect these species and their habitats However for many species in the EAAF we don’t have enough data These factors led to the creation of the Shorebirds 2020 program….