The West-Pomeranian population of the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephaluspaludicola: Habitat change and restoration potential

摘要

The Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) is a globally threatened species. Around 1900, it was one of the most widespread birds in Central-European fen mires. The population severely decreased as a consequence of wetland drainage. In recent years, it is stable in the Polesie region (Eastern Poland, Belarus, Ukraine) where about 80% of the world population is concentrated, but decreases sharply in Western Pomerania. Distinct genetic differences to all other populations suggest that the remaining birds in Western Pomerania are the last survivors of a separated, large Central European population. Its conservation has high priority (reflected in a CMS Memorandum of Understanding in 2003), but it is hampered by insufficient knowledge on habitat requirements.