Climate change, driven by anthropogenic global warming, is having profound effects on marine ecosystems. The western Dutch Wadden Sea is particularly vulnerable to these changes due to its shallow and dynamic characteristics. Rising water temperatures and thermal fluctuations are known to influence the …

Since 2012, the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) population in the Dutch Wadden Sea has been in decline, raising concerns about the potential role of infectious diseases. Historical outbreaks like those caused by Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) and Influenza A virus subtype H10N7, have shown that pathogens …

The Dutch and German Wadden Sea Area received the World Heritage status in 2009 because of its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) which embodies: cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations …

This study shows that the main predation pressure in the Dutch Wadden Sea is found to be on calanoid copepods, being the main prey item of C. harengus, A. tobianus, C. edulis, A. aurita and M. leidyi. Bivalve veligers are also found to be widely ingested by predator species, with the main predators being …

The Netherlands is a densely populated and economically developed country. Coastal areas are important for aquaculture, agriculture, harbors, and urban development. Coastal habitats mainly exist on the south Delta coast and the north Wadden sea, hosting a great biological diversity. The Netherlands had …

Ameland, a Dutch Wadden Sea island, is blessed with many historical buildings, such as captains’ houses, which make up picturesque neighbourhoods. Together with the attractions of sandy beaches, these quaint villages attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Ameland also has the ambitious …

Salt marsh stability from 10 different salt marshes was studied in the Dutch Wadden Sea region and the Scheldt Estuary during October and November 2018. This report elaborates how salt marsh stability is influenced by bioturbation of Orchestia sp., grazing of large herbivores and different soil and plant …

Due to the recent trend of fish stock decline in the Wadden Sea, conservation objectives on fish (Trilateral Fish Targets) have been set by the Wadden Sea Board, in a project called ‘Swimway Action Programme’. However, precise knowledge on the lifecycle of target fish species is largely missing, making …

Due to their high adaptability and opportunistic predation behaviour feral cats have a great impact on worldwide bird biodiversity in particular on islands. However not much is known about their actual behaviour and time budget, as direct behavioural observations often are difficult regarding free-ranging …