During this unit, students will explore the ecosystem of the Wadden Sea (Wattenmeer in German) at the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its importance to migratory birds and unique ecosystem value. The unit begins with a story describing a visit to the national park. Students will analyze trends in migratory bird populations, the energy flow between ecosystems, threats from invasive species, formulate questions, as they progress through the following explorations.
According to German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), the Wattenmeer is “the single most important wetland in Germany”. It plays a significant role in the survival of migratory birds that use the East Atlantic Flyway. The East Atlantic Flyway stretches from high Arctic breeding grounds to wintering grounds along western coastlines of Europe and Africa. The location of the Wadden Sea allows waterbirds to refuel prior to either long distance flight to high Arctic breeding grounds or to southern wintering grounds. It also serves as a staging, wintering, and molting site for some migratory waterbird species.
Climate change challenges, such as the rise in sea levels and increase in invasive species are the main threats to the Wadden Sea and its unique ecosystem.
According to German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), the Wattenmeer is “the single most important wetland in Germany”. It plays a significant role in the survival of migratory birds that use the East Atlantic Flyway. The East Atlantic Flyway stretches from high Arctic breeding grounds to wintering grounds along western coastlines of Europe and Africa. The location of the Wadden Sea allows waterbirds to refuel prior to either long distance flight to high Arctic breeding grounds or to southern wintering grounds. It also serves as a staging, wintering, and molting site for some migratory waterbird species.
Climate change challenges, such as the rise in sea levels and increase in invasive species are the main threats to the Wadden Sea and its unique ecosystem.
