Baie de Somme

Case Study A

Bird species included in model

Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

Environmental issues simulated

Shellfishery management changing habitat area

Recommendations from modelling

Shellfishery management needs to reserve up to 8 times more shellfish biomass than consumed by Oystercatcher populations.

More information

Goss-Custard, J.D., Stillman, R.A., West, A.D., Caldow, R.W.G., Triplet, P., le V dit Durell, S.E.A. and McGrorty, S., 2004. When enough is not enough: shorebirds and shellfishing. Proceedings of the Royal Society Series B. Biological sciences, 271(1536): 233-237.

Funding

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Case Study B

Bird species included in model

Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

Environmental issues simulated

Extreme cold weather increasing energy requirements, plus a recreation, shellfishery and unspecified drivers causing disturbance

Recommendations from modelling

Disturbance from human activities more likely to reduce shorebird survival when feeding conditions or weather poor.

More information

Goss-Custard, J.D., Triplet, P., Sueur, F. and West, A.D., 2006. Critical thresholds of disturbance by people and raptors in foraging wading birds. Biological Conservation, 127(1): 88-97.

Funding

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Case Study C

Bird species included in model

Dunlin (Calidris alpina), Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata), Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

Environmental issues simulated

Hunting, cockle fishing, human recreation, Spartina encroachment, changing sediment levels

Recommendations from modelling

Intertidal hunting, shellfishing of large prey, and many short-term (rather than fewer long-term) disturbances had greatest negative effects on shorebird survival.

More information

Durell, S. E. A. le V. dit, Stillman, R. A., Triplet, P., Desprez, M., Fagot, C., Loquet, N., Sueur, F. & Goss-Custard, J. D. (2008) Using an individual-based model to inform estuary management in the Baie de Somme, France. Oryx, 42, 265-277.

Funding

European Commission. Project number: EVK2-2000-00612