COORDINATED WATERBIRD COUNTS. Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC) CWAC started in 1992 with 45 sites...
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Transcript of COORDINATED WATERBIRD COUNTS. Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC) CWAC started in 1992 with 45 sites...
COORDINATED WATERBIRD COUNTS
Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC)
CWAC started in 1992 with 45 sites counted in South Africa
Currently there are 645 wetlands registered with the CWAC project
1600 participants (~ 960 regular)Focus on waterbirds (~ 130 species)
Project Goal
To act as an effective long-term waterbird monitoring tool, benefiting
conservation efforts worldwide.
Project Objectives• Ensure effective project management through working closely with a host of national
and international stakeholders; steadily updating and integrating this network of people;
• Coordinate, prioritise and expand waterbird surveys on a national scale with the emphasis on long-term monitoring;
• Ensure effective data management throughout the project;• Manage, maintain and expand the project database;• Undertake effective IT development within the project, including the upkeep and
expansion of the project website;• Disseminate data and results through the project website, reports, scientific papers,
popular articles, direct liaison with stakeholders, or any other useful means;• Promote and facilitate the use of census data specifically for policy, planning and
research purposes;• Raise awareness and promote the project through the website, popular articles,
newsletters, interviews, talks, or any other appropriate means;• Submit census data towards the African Waterbird Census Programme in part
fulfilment of South Africa’s contribution to international agreements such as Ramsar, Bonn and AEWA.
Methods• Bi-annual surveys
Mid-summer (January); Mid-winter (July) Some sites counted monthly/quarterly/ad hoc basis
• ObserversVolunteers (bird club members, etc.)Conservation organisationsProfessional ornithologists
• Data submission & interpretationCensus forms to National Coordinator (ADU)Data computerised, curated, analysed and publishedVerification of count data by observers
Volunteers
The CWAC census form
http://mybirdpatch.adu.org.za
395 (61%) counted regularly645 registered sites
KZN
102 registered sites
70counted regularly
3 newly registered
30 protected sites
CWAC Growth45 sites in 1992 540 sites in 2005 target 600 sites in
2007Summer 2005 had 363 sites countedSummer 2011 had 120 sites counted!!
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100000
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050100150200250300350400
Examples of Sites
Examples of species counted
Publications
SABAP, CWAC & SAFRING
Greyheaded Gull Larus cirrocephalus
Core breeding areas
Map adapted from :
Greyheaded Gull Larus cirrocephalus
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19990
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Lake St Lucia, Kwazulu/Natal
Summer
Winter
Year
No
.s o
f in
div
idu
als
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19990
100200300400500600700800
Rolfe's Pan, Gauteng
Summer
Winter
Year
No
.s o
f in
div
idu
als
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19990
100200300400500600700800900
Umgeni River Estuary, Kwazulu/Natal
Summer
Winter
Year
No
.s o
f in
div
idu
als
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19990
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
Vlakplaas Waste Water Treatment Works, Gauteng
Summer
Winter
Year
No
.s o
f in
div
idu
als
Summer Peak : Non-breedingWinter Peak : Breeding
Benefits of CWAC: an effective tool to…..
better understand how waterbirds use wetlands
fulfil S.A.’s commitment to international agreements (e.g. RAMSAR, CBD, AEWA)
ID important wetlands for waterbird conservation (e.g. roosts, breeding colonies, moulting refuges, Red Data species, etc.)
provide information support for management policies
assist national and regional population estimates
assist in monitoring the health of wetlands (waterbirds as indicators)
raise awareness of importance of wetlands as biodiversity hotspots
provide early warning of declines in populations and wetland degradation.
The future…• Improved coverage in poorly censused regions• Greater representation of wetland diversity
Seasonal pans Farm dams Rivers (linear densities) Palustrine wetlands (special surveys) Shore sections
• Collection of breeding data ID important sites Monitor breeding activity
• Data submission & availability Via Internet (on-line census form on ADU website) Automatic computerization Site & species information on website - data can be used!
The future… (contd.)• Site information
Basic wetland assessment:
• Wetland classification • Detailed habitat description• Detailed threat classification• Site management information• Fixed-point photography (habitat changes)
• Special surveys of secretive waterbird speciese.g. Rallidae and snipes
• More frequent monitoring at important sitese.g. RAMSAR & IBAs
Conservation outcomes
The future… (contd.)
• Catchment Management Plans (DWAF)• Other wetland programmes
SA Wetland Conservation Programme mondi Wetlands Project; SA Crane Working Group
• Setting sustainable hunting seasons & quotas• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)• RAMSAR & BirdLife International programmes• International Waterbird Census (IWC) – Waterbird
Population Estimates (Rose & Scott; Delany & Scott)
CWAC - Sponsors & VIPs
The Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation South Africa
Dept of Environmental
Affairs & Tourism
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment