Integration of Conservation Strategies of Plant Genetic ... - Genres

4.1 Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony
The Wadden Sea of the North Sea shore is one of the most populated ecosystems on earth. Its
extention is unique. Apart from the Alps it is the last large natural area in Central Europe. The
Wadden Sea encompasses many diverse habitats: permanently subtidal channels, salt marshes and
different dune islands. The Wadden Sea has great international importance because it serves as
a breeding and resting area for many birds, as nursery for different North Sea fishes and as a
habitat for seals. Increasing pollution of the North Sea and mass tourism are a big threat to the
Wadden Sea.
The biosphere reserves of the Wadden Sea perform the main ecosystem study for coastal areas
in Germany. An ecological programme is beeing performed since years. A tripartite (NL, D, DK)
monitoring programme will be introduced in the near future.
4.2 Wadden Sea of Hamburg
The Wadden Sea of Hamburg with its three islands represents an important habitat for many
threatened plants and animals. The naturally high inputs of nutrients into the delta of the river Elbe
favour a rich bird and fish fauna. There alone you find more than 10.000 pairs of breeding tern
species on the dune island Scharhörn. But strong pollution of the river Elbe threatens this
richness.
4.3 Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein
The biosphere reserve "Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein" is the largest protected area in
Germany. It amounts to about 285.000 hectars. It represents Europes most important resting area
for migrating birds. The biosphere reserve sometimes is populated by more than 1.3 million birds
at the same time. Dunlin, curlew, avocet and oyster catcher live here together. More than 30 other
bird species breed in the biosphere reserve. The main element of the landscape are the "Halligen"
(dune islands) and the almost natural salt-marshes. Common salt-marsh grass and sea lavender
grow there. More than 2.000 animal species find sufficient food. Among those are numerous
endemic species which only can be found in the Wadden Sea.
4.4 South East Rügen
A multifold landscape shaped by ground moraines gives the biosphere reserve South-East Rügen
its present image. Sea, islands and shore host a magnifold flora and fauna. Fishery and agriculture,
often in combination, dominate human economic activities. The importance of tourism is steadily
growing to ceiling values. The beech forests of the island Vilm belong to the oldest and most
precious natural forests in northern Germany. On the island of Vilm the German Federal
Government has situated ists International Nature Protection Academy. A priority task of this
institution is to deal with the ecological problems of the Baltic Sea and relevant problems of the
neighboring states.