Decadal changes in the boundaries of concentrations of marine birds – consequences for marine protected areas

A total of 45 % of marine protected areas which are currently designated in the Baltic Sea have been established on the basis of concentrations of waterbirds. Designations have occurred over a 23-year period stretching from the mid 1980’es to present. Widespread changes in the distribution ranges of waterbirds have been described over this period, as well as significant reductions in the total populations of several species wintering in the Baltic Sea. The presentation covered regional analyses of distribution patterns and demonstrated to what extent the higher end of distributions of waterbirds has changed during this period.