Spatial relations among coastal bird populations in NEW! Delta estuaries and ports, Exploration of how metapopulation concept can provide new clues for the conservation of protected coastal bird species with the Common Tern as example

Coastal and estuarine habitats are important and nowadays sensitive systems. Dykes have been built to harvest land from the sea, cities and ports were developed, sea-arms were dammed and beaches and dunes "flooded" with recreants. As a result, coastal birds that depend on temporary natural islands and sand and shell banks for their breeding colonies now suffer from a lack of breeding grounds. Harbours and port areas often include newly developed terrains which offer suitable areas for breeding and are relatively undisturbed by recreants.