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