Exposure of wetlands important for nonbreeding waterbirds to sea‐level rise in the Mediterranean

• DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14288
• Publication Date: 2024-05-17T06:00:11Z
• Authors: Fabien Verniest; Thomas Galewski; Olivier Boutron; Laura Dami; Pierre Defos du Rau; Anis Guelmami; Romain Julliard; Nadège Popoff; Marie Suet; Loïc Willm; Wed Abdou; Hichem Azafzaf; Nadjiba Bendjedda; Taulant Bino; John J. Borg; Luka Božič; Mohamed Dakki; Rhimou El Hamoumi; Vitor Encarnação; Kiraz Erciyas‐Yavuz; Khaled Etayeb; Valeri Georgiev; Ayman Hamada; Ohad Hatzofe; Christina Ieronym...; Tom Langendoen; Tibor Mikuska; Blas Molina; Filipe Moniz; Caroline Moussy; Asmaâ Ouassou; Nicky Petkov; Danae Portolou; Tareq Qaneer; Samir Sayoud; Marko Šćiban; Goran Topić; Danka Uzunova; Gal Vine; Andrej Vizi; Erald Xeka; Marco Zenatello; Elie Gaget; Isabelle Le Viol
• Keywords: Coastal flood

Abstract Sea‐level rise (SLR) is expected to cause major changes coastal wetlands, which are among the world's most vulnerable ecosystems and critical for nonbreeding waterbirds. Because strategies adaptation SLR, such as nature‐based solutions designation of protected areas, can locally reduce negative effects flooding under SLR on it crucial prioritize efforts, especially wetlands international importance biodiversity. We assessed exposure important waterbirds projected along Mediterranean coasts 8 countries by modeling future 7 scenarios 2100 (from 44‐ 161‐cm rise) with a static inundation approach. Exposure was 938 sites (≤30 km from coastline) where 145 species birds were monitored part International Waterbird Census monitoring area delineated polygon (64.3% in region). Thirty‐four percent threatened even optimistic scenarios. Protected study were, respectively, 1.5 2 times more exposed than other scenario. Accordingly, we advocate development prioritization scheme be applied these implementation anticipate flooding. Our provides guidance conservation planning global change several region.