Bird paradise: A look at the protected islands in the Wadden Sea
Bird paradise: A look at the protected islands in the Wadden Sea
Tourism is currently blooming on several North and Baltic Sea islands, while other urgent country is subject to strict entrance banks and are entirely devoted to bird population. One of these protected islands is Norderoog, an approximately ten hectare Hallig in Schleswig-Holstein, which with its special ecosystem offers an oasis for rare bird species. The 28-year-old Nele Waltering has lived here since April, who provides nature conservation as a bird attendant.
nele, which originally comes from Aachen and studies environmental engineering in Rostock, uses her time on Norderoog as a kind of time -out before her master's thesis. Your work on the Hallig is not only an impressive challenge, but also an important contribution to the protection of nature. She lives and works on Norderoog in a unique habitat where her biggest mission is the counting of the rasting and brooding sea and coastal birds.
The meaning of Norderoog for nature conservation
Norderoog has been owned by the Jordsand bird protection and nature conservation association since 1909 and has been used exclusively for nature conservation since then, in particular to protect bird species. This initiative shows how important it is to make certain areas inaccessible to humans so that the wildlife can develop unfiltered.
Visitors may only enter the Hallig outside of the breeding season with a special approval. This concept of protected zones is not only limited to Norderoog. In Schleswig-Holstein there is also the Hallig trischen, which has a similar protection status. Other bird islands in the Wadden Sea are Scharhörn in Hamburg and Memmert in Lower Saxony, both of which serve as important habitats for birds.
But there are also many of these protective zones in the Baltic Sea. A remarkable example is Langenwerder in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where thousands of seabirds breed on about 22 hectares. This area was founded in 1910 as a bird sanctuary and was one of the first steps towards conscious nature conservation in Germany.
Bird attendant between Flora and Fauna
nele Waltering not only has to do with a variety of bird species on Norderoog, but also with the challenges that the vulnerable ecosystem entails. Their daily tasks ranged from the counting of birds to observing their breeding habits to practical measures to protect their habitats.
In this seclusion, she has the opportunity to deal intensively with the lifestyle of the birds and at the same time develop a deep understanding of ecology and works in nature conservation. For Nele, this experience is not only part of her studies, but also an opportunity to contribute an active part to maintain biodiversity.
The measures taken in these bird nature reserves are of central importance for the preservation of many endangered species. As a bird attendant, Nele not only gets insights into the biology of these animals, but also actively helps to secure the continued existence of her populations.
The preservation of these unique habitats is of great importance, not only for the birds themselves, but also as part of a larger environmental goal that aims to protect and preserve nature in its most diverse forms.
A look into the future of nature conservation
The role of people like Nele Waltering is essential for understanding and protection of nature. At a time when many natural habitats are threatened by human activities, responsibilities in nature conservation work such as Norderoog are important steps in the right direction. Her tireless work not only ensures the survival of bird populations, but also an awareness of the need to protect the species.
The meaning of the bird islands for nature conservation cannot be assessed high enough. These urgent lands offer protected habitats for numerous bird species that are looking for nesting sites and food sources. With the increase in human activities in coastal regions, the protection of these habitats is becoming increasingly urgent to ward off the progressive destruction of pollution, climate change and overfishing.
In addition, the bird islands are important research locations. Here scientists can observe the effects of environmental influences on bird populations and their behaviors. The results of such studies are crucial to develop effective nature conservation strategies. An example of sustainable nature conservation in Germany is the nature conservation program "National Park Schleswig-Holsteinian Wadden Sea", which aims to protect the unique flora and fauna in the region.
research and monitoring of the bird populations
In recent years, the monitoring of bird stocks has further professionalized. Scientists and conservationists are increasingly relying on modern technologies such as GPS neck bands and drones to collect data on the migration and breeding behavior of birds. These technologies enable precise recording of bird movements and help to develop protective measures in a targeted manner. In the past, the data collection was often time -consuming and less precise, which has improved significantly through new approaches.
An example of such an initiative is the project "Life - Bird species in the Wadden Sea", which focuses on monitoring and protection of endangered bird species. Such programs are crucial to understand which measures are effective and how the conditions on the islands can be optimized in order to offer as many types as possible.
The role of visitor groups and ecological tourism
Although many bird islands are closed to visitors, there are increasing opportunities for ecological tourism. This not only promotes respectful use of nature, but also enables the awareness of the protection of these sensitive ecosystems to be raised. Guided tours outside of the breeding season offer interested parties the opportunity to learn more about the animal world without disturbing the nesting places of the birds.
In the course of ecological tourism, some organizations working directly on site have also established themselves that are committed to maintaining bird species and their habitats. These include, for example, the Vogelschutz- und Nature Conservation Association Jordsand as well as regional nature conservation associations, which actively contribute to education through workshops, excursions and information events.
Overall, it can be seen that a combination of research, nature conservation and ecological tourism makes it possible to use the valuable habitats on the bird islands.