Priority conservation themes, objectives and actions

Theme 1: Evaluate impacts of overabundant geese populations on Arctic shorebird habitat and implement appropriate mitigation measures

Objective 1. Understand the expansion of white geese populations in Arctic shorebird habitat

• • Action 1: Understand impacts of populations of white geese on other bird species in western Canada
  • Action 2: Understand trends in the populations of white geese in Alaska and their impacts on shorebird breeding habitats

Objective 2. Mitigate effects of over-abundant white geese populations on shorebird habitat

• • Action 1: Implement management actions resulting from study of white geese impacts in Canada (undertaken as part of AMBI Phase 1)

Objective 3. Ensure Indigneous Knowledge is incorporated into white geese impacts research and mitigation measures

• • Action 1: Continue to include Indigneous Knowledge in future work through co-development of management priorities for white geese

Theme 2: Identification of climate resilient shorebird breeding and wintering habitat

Objective 4. Determine climate change resilient areas of shorebird habitat and promote their protection

• • Action 1: Carry out an analysis of the resilience of shorebird wintering habitat to climate change
  • Action 2: Promote protection of climate change resilient shorebird breeding, wintering and migration habitats

Theme 3: Reduce shorebird habitat impairment from human intrusions, disturbances, destruction and degradation

Objective 5. Mitigate habitat impairment from human intrusions and disturbances

• • Action 1: Support efforts to develop policies and legislation to ensure the sustainability of legal hunting of shorebirds in North and South America
  • Action 2: Promote studies that assess the prevalence and impacts of plastic contamination in shorebird populations in the Arctic
  • Action 3: Work with communities and governments to assess and identify critical threats for priority species on designated WHSRN and IBA sites

Objective 6. Mitigate habitat impairment from destruction and degradation of coastal habitats and productive landscapes

• • Action 1: Evaluate the impacts of habitat loss and degradation from agriculture, aquaculture, renewable energy production and tourism development on shorebirds and their habitats in Latin America
  • Action 2: Ensure mitigation measures are incorporated into development decisions
  • Action 3: Designate important sites under appropriate international conservation frameworks (e.g. Ramsar Convention, WHSRN, World Heritage)
  • Action 4: Work with communities and governments to protect important sites

Theme 4: Flyway Planning and Implementation

Objective 7. Contribute to the implementation and development of regional flyway initiatives

• • Action 1: Promote and support the implementation of regional strategies and flyway initiatives
  • Action 2: Encourage/coordinate the development of an American Mid-continental Flyway strategy

Priority species in the 2019-2025 work plan

Red knot (spp. rufa and roselaari)	Semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis)	Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)

Americas Flyways: Crosswalk and Implementation Plan

The aim of the crosswalk exercise was to analyze how program objectives of AMBI align with existing initiatives in the region. This includeed, but was not limited to, national biodiversity strategies, international conventions, regional frameworks, national shorebird conservation action plans and any other relevant documents that deal with similar topics.

Specifically, for the purpose of AMBI, a document and tool were created to show regional and national partners within the Americas how supporting and implementing AMBI would help address existing priorities. This extended to both specific countries within AMBI focal regions where conservations actions were deemed to have the most benefit, and regional initiatives overlapping with AMBI focal areas.

• AMBI Americas Implementation Strategy
• AMBI: Americas Flyway Crosswalk Summary Results (PDF) Americas Flyway Crosswalk Summary Results
• AMBI Americas crosswalk (Excel)

Partners and support

In addition to AMBI steering group member countries and organizations, elements of the AMBI Americas flyway has received financial support from the UNEP Regional Office of North America and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America.

Priority conservation objectives and actions

Objective 1: Enhance data collection and data input into habitat protection initiatives 

• Action 1. Raise awareness and facilitate protection of key marine bird habitats that intersect with human activities using various regulatory and planning processes as appropriate to protect marine birds while they are at-sea
• Action 2. Support country participation in circumpolar collaborations on collection and synthesis of marine bird tracking data (including Ivory Gulls)
• Action 3.  Knowledge gap analysis of circumpolar seabird tracking studies

Objective 2: Harvest assessments and mitigation of unsustainable harvest

• Action 1.  Work with CBird to promote dialogue with authorities for management plans to combine the knowledge of status of hunted species between countries
• Action 2.  Assess the population-level impact of harvest in relation to other stressors
• Action 3: Conduct/update holistic harvest studies for circumpolar regions of interest using approaches tailored to regional contexts as appropriate

Objective 3: Mitigate seabird and seaduck bycatch

• Action 1.  Initiate an overlap analysis for seabird bycatch in circumpolar region
• Action 2: Continue discussions about mitigation measures with fisheries partners
• Action 3: Support efforts to develop best practices for bycatch data collection
• Action 4: Assess gill net bycatch for key species and regions

Objective 4: Address environmental pollution issues

• Action 1.  State of knowledge assessment for plastics in wildlife
• Action 2: Work with Arctic Council countries and Permanent Participants, PAME, and AMAP to begin to address knowledge gaps

Objective 5: Support the activities and priorities of the International Snowy Owl Working Group (ISOWG)

• Action 1. Publish a more precise global population estimate and assessment of population trends
• Action 2. Implement wider-scale tracking of Snowy Owls throughout their range

Priority species in 2019-2025 work plan

Ivory gull	Thick-billed murre
Common eider	Snowy owl
Northern fulmar

 Skimming the Surface: Using Seabirds to Monitor Plastic in the Arctic

Priority conservation issues and actions

Objective 1: Improve conservation and management of shorebird sites throughout the African-Eurasian flyway.

• Action 1: Secure intertidal habitat of Arctic-breeding shorebirds in Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau:
  1. Advance and potentially coordinate international engagement to support the Bijagós World Heritage nomination process, as appropriate.
  2. Provide technical support to and enhance the capacity of IBAP and other national partners for strengthening the conservation management of the Bijagós Archipelago, including through its nomination and designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Action 2: Ensure identification and documentation of key sites for shorebirds in available format as a tool for national/international sustainable site management.

Objective 2: Support filling knowledge gaps and strengthening monitoring of Arctic waterbirds in the breeding grounds of the flyway, including implementing CBMP in cooperation with Wadden Sea Secretariat and AEWA.

• Action 1: Support the implementation of the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme (CBMP) and the revised AEWA Guidelines on Waterbird Monitoring with respect to those Arctic-breeding waterbirds for which optimal data are still lacking, through cooperation with the African-Eurasian Waterbird Monitoring Partnership and the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative by providing financial and/or technical support.
• Action 2: Support improved population delineation of Arctic-breeding waders by collating Arctic breeding wader migration data (tracking, colour-marking, geolocator, ringing data, etc.) and presenting it on the CSN tool to improve flyway delineation data.

Objective 3: Development and dissemination of information and awareness materials addressing priority target

• Action 1: Support the development of communication products (in collaboration with flyway partners and communicatiosn experts) showcasing migratory connectivity, knowledge gaps, and threats in the African-Eurasian flyway area.

Objective 4: Reduce bycatch of seaducks in the Baltic Sea

• Action 1: Support the implementation of the AEWA Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter and Common Eider International Single Species Action Plans with respect to the identified activities regarding bycatch under the auspices of the AEWA European Seaduck International Working Group.

Objective 5: Support measures under the AEWA Lesser White-fronted Goose (LWfG) International Working Group (IWG) to prevent illegal killing

• Action 1: Assist the AEWA LWfG IWG and the Birdlife Norwegian/Greek cooperation project cooperation project with the translation and dissemination of awareness-raising and education materials in key areas for the species within the Russian Arctic amongst indigenous and local communities.
• Action 2: Support the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat in engaging key Range States on a diplomatic level through Arctic Council member and observer country embassies.

Priority species for the 2019-2025 work plan

Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica spp. taymyrensis)	Red knot (Calidris canutus spp. canutus and islanica)
Dunlin (Calidris alpina spp. arctica and schinzii)	Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus)
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)	Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca)
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)	Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)

 Français

Objectif 1 : Améliorer la conservation et gestion des sites importants pour les oiseaux limicoles à travers la voie de migration Afrique-Eurasie

• Action 1 : Protéger l'habitat inter-tidal des oiseaux limicoles nicheurs de l'Arctique dans l'Archipel de Bijagós, Guinée-Bissau :
  1. Appuyer et potentiellement coordonner l'implication internationale pour soutenir le processus de nomination de l'Archipel de Bijagós comme patrimoine mondial naturel, d'une façon appropriée.
  2. Donner un appui technique et améliorer la capacité de l'IBAP et aux autres partenaires nationaux pour le renforcement de la gestion de la conservation de l'Archipel de Bijagós, à travers sa nomination et désignation comme site du patrimoine mondiale de l'UNESCO.

• Action 2 : Assurer l'identification et documentation des sites clés pour les oiseaux limicoles dans des formats disponibles comme outil pour la gestion durables des sites.

Objectif 2 : Augmenter sur la voie de migration Afrique-Eurasie, la qualité et la quantité des donnés d'évaluation, des situations des populations d'oiseaux d'eau nichant en Arctique.

• Action 1 : Appuyer l'exécution du Programme de Suivi de la Biodiversité Circumpolaire (CBMP) et les lignes directrices de suivi des oiseaux d'eau de l'AEWA par rapport aux oiseaux d'eau nicheurs de l'Arctique pour lesquels des données optimales sont encore manquantes, en coopération avec le Partenariat pour le Suivi des Oiseaux d'eau de l'Afrique-Eurasie et l'Initiative de la Voie de Migration de la Mer des Wadden (WSFI) en fournissant de l'appui technique et/ou financier.
• Action 2 : Appuyer l'amélioration de la délimitation des populations de limicoles arctiques en collectant des données de la migration (pistage, géolocalisation, données de baguage, etc.) et en les présentant dans l'outil CSN afin d'améliorer les données de délimitation des voies de migration.

Objectif 3 : Développement et dissémination des matériaux informatives et éducationnelles sur des sujets prioritaires.

• Action 1 : Appuyer le développement des produits de communication (en collaboration avec des partenaires sur la voie de migration) présentant la connectivité migratoire, des lacunes de connaissance, et des menaces sur de la voie de migration Afrique-Eurasie.

Objectif 4 : Réduire la capture accidentelle des canards marins dans la Mer Baltique.

• Action 1 : Appuyer l'exécution des Plans d'Action Internationaux des Espèces de l'AEWA pour la Harelde boréale et la Macreuse brune par rapport aux activités identifiées concernant la capture accidentelle sous les auspices du Group International de Travaille pour les Canards Marins Européens.

Objectif 5: Appuyer des mesures de prévention de la chasse illégale à travers le Group International de Travail de l'AEWA (IWG) pour l'Oie naine (LWfG).

• Action 1 : Assister le Groupe International de Travail avec la traduction et dissémination des matériaux éducatifs et informatifs dans les zones clés pour les espèces russes de l'Arctique dans les communautés indigènes et locales.
• Action 2 : Appuyer le Secrétariat de l'AEWA/PNUE dans l'implication des pays de la zone de juridiction de l'AEWA au niveau diplomatique à travers les ambassades des pays membres et observateurs du Conseil de l'Arctique.

 Português

Objetivo 1: Melhorar la conservação e gestão dos lugares de importância para as aves limícolas ao longo da rota migratória afro-eurasiática.

• Ação 1: Proteger os habitats inter-marés das aves limícolas nidificantes no Ártico no Arquipélago dos Bijagós, Guiné-Bissau:

1. 1. Promover e potencialmente coordenar o envolvimento internacional de apoio à nominação do Arquipélago dos Bijagós como património mundial da UNESCO, segundo o que for apropriado.
   2. Provisão de apoio técnico e de reforço das capacidades ao IBAP e os outros parceiros nacionais para o fortalecimento da gestão e da conservação do Arquipélago dos Bijagós, incluindo a través da nominação e designação do sítio como património mundial da UNESCO.

• Ação 2: Assegurar a identificação e documentação de sítios de importância para as aves limícolas dentro dos formatos disponíveis como ferramenta para a gestão durável de sítios.

Objetivo 2: Aumentar a qualidade e a quantidade da informação de estado das populações das aves aquáticas nidificantes no Ártico ao longo da rota migratória afro-eurasiática.

• Ação 1: Apoiar a implementação do Programa de Monitoramento da Biodiversidade Circumpolar (CBMP) e as Guias para o Monitoramento de Aves Aquáticas atualizadas do AEWA em relação às aves migradoras nidificantes no Ártico para as quais carece-se de dados adequados, a través da cooperação com a Parceria para o Monitoramento das Aves Aquáticas Afro-Europeias e a Iniciativa Da Rota Migratória do Mar de Wadden (WSFI) provindo apoio financeiro e/o técnico.
• Ação 2: Apoiar à melhora na delineação das populações das aves limícolas nidificantes no Ártico introduzindo e presentando dados migratórios (seguimento, marcação, geolocação, etc.) na ferramenta CSN para melhorar os dados de delineação da rota migratória.

Objetivo 3: Desenvolvimento e disseminação de materiais informativos e educativos que tratem temas prioritários.

• Ação 1: Apoiar o desenvolvimento de produtos de comunicação (em colaboração com parceiros do ruta migratório) que mostrem a conetividade migratória, faltas de conhecimento, e ameaças na rota migratória afro-eurasiática.

Objetivo 4: Reduzir a captura acidental de patos marinhos no Mar Báltico

• Ação 1: Apoiar a implementação dos Planos de Ação do AEWA para o Pato-rabilongo e o Pato-fusco em relação às atividades identificadas concernindo a captura acidental no marco do Grupo de Trabalho Internacional para Patos Marinhos Europeus da AEWA.

Objetivo 5: Apoiar medidas baixo o Grupo do Trabalho Internacional do AEWA para o Ganso-pequeno-de-testa-branca para prevenir a caça ilegal.

• Ação 1: Assistir o Grupo de Trabalho Internacional com a tradução e disseminação de materiais educativos e informativos nas regiões de importância no Ártico russo entre as comunidades locais e indígenas.
• Ação 2: Apoiar o Secretariado do AEWA no envolvimento dos países de distribuição chave no nível diplomático a través das embaixadas dos países membros e observadores do Conselho Ártico.

Español 

Objetivo 1: Mejorar la conservación y gestión de lugares importantes para las aves limícolas a lo largo de la ruta migratoria afro-eurasiática.

• Acción 1: Proteger los hábitats intermareales de las aves limícolas árticas en el Archipiélago de Bijagós, Guinea-Bissau:

1. 1. Promover y potencialmente coordinar la involucración internacional de apoyo a la nominación del Archipiélago de Bijagós como Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO, según lo que fuere apropiado.
   2. Provisión de apoyo técnico y refuerzo de capacidades al IBAP y otros socios nacionales para el fortalecimiento de la gestión y la conservación del Archipiélago de Bijagós, incluyendo a través de su nominación y designación como Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO.

• Acción 2: Asegurar la identificación y documentación de sitios de importancia para las aves limícolas dentro de los formatos disponibles como herramienta para la gestión sostenible de esos lugares

Objetivo 2: Aumentar la calidad y cantidad de información de estado de las poblaciones de aves acuáticas nidificantes en el Ártico a lo largo de la ruta migratoria afro-eurasiática. 

• Acción 1: Apoyar la implementación del Programa de Monitoreo de la Biodiversidad Circumpolar (CBMP) y las Guías para el Monitoreo de Aves Acuáticas de AEWA en relación con las aves migratorias nidificantes en el Ártico para las cuales se carece de datos adecuados, a través de la cooperación con la Asociación para el Monitoreo de las Aves Acuáticas Afro-europeas y la Iniciativa de la Ruta Migratoria del Mar de Wadden (WSFI) mediante la provisión de apoyo técnico y/o financiero.
• Acción 2: Apoyar un mejor delineamiento poblacional de limícolas nidificantes en el Ártico introduciendo datos de migración de limícolas (anillamiento, marcación por color, recuperación, geolocalización, etc.) en la herramienta CSN para mejorar los datos de delineamiento de poblaciones.

Objetivo 3: Desarrollo y diseminación de materiales de información y sensibilización que traten temas prioritarios.

• Acción 1: Apoyar el desarrollo de productos de comunicación (en colaboración con socios de la ruta migratoria) que muestren la conectividad migratoria, vacíos de conocimiento y amenazas en la ruta migratoria afro-eurasiática.

Objetivo 4: Reducir la captura accidentas de patos marinos en el Mar Báltico.

• Acción 1: Apoyar la implementación de los Planes de Acción Mono-especie Internacionales para el pato havelda y el negrón especulado con respecto a las actividades identificadas sobre captura accidental bajo los auspicios del Grupo de Trabajo Internacional sobre Patos Marinos de AEWA.

Objetivo 5: Apoyar las medidas bajo el Grupo de Trabajo Internacional de AEWA para el ánsar careto chico para prevenir su caza ilegal.

• Acción 1: Asistir al Grupo de Trabajo Internacional en la traducción y diseminación de materiales de sensibilización y educación en áreas clave para la especie en el Ártico ruso entre comunidades locales e indígenas.
• Acción 2: Apoyar al secretariado de UNEP/AEWA en la involucración de países de distribución claves a nivel diplomático a través de las embajadas de los países miembros y observadores del Consejo Ártico.