Within the vast embrace of Germany’s Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park, known as Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft, lies a symphony of intertwined biogeographical features that beautifully depict the richness of biodiversity and ever-evolving landscapes.
In a conversation with Herr Gernot Haffner, the Authority Head of the National Park Authority, we delved deeper into this ecological marvel to uncover its secrets.
Thanks for joining us Gernot. What can you tell us about the makeup of this marine protected area?
The national park lies close to Rostock and Stralsund, with about half of its territory extending towards the open Baltic Sea. Additionally, over a quarter of its area consists of wind flats and briny lagoons, known as Bodden.
The marriage between the Baltic Sea and Bodden orchestrates a delicate balance of ecosystems. Characterized by their shallow coastal waters that are segregated from the sea by islands and land tongues, Bodden offer a sanctuary of lower salinity, tranquil waters devoid of swell, and enriched nutrient deposits.
The coastal contours in this region are in constant flux, shaped by the relentless forces of wind and waves. Sand, transported by the wind, sculpts the landscape, forming wind flats, sand hooks, and a mosaic of dunes, saltwater ponds, and swamps. This ongoing transformation is a testament to the dynamic nature of the area.
Amid this shifting mosaic, wide reed belts blur the transition between land and water, nurturing a haven for a diverse array of life forms.
What kind of ecological treasures lies beneath the surface of the Bodden?
Beneath the tranquil surface, a hidden world of underwater vegetation thrives. Vast expanses of stoneworts (Charophycae) and beaked tasselweed (Ruppia maritima) carpet the submerged realm, while nutrient-rich zones boast a verdant sprawl of fennel pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus). Yet, in depths beyond 70 cm, sunlight's touch falters, leaving these depths unadorned by vegetation.
Within the shallow lagoon waters, herring (Clupea harengus), garfish (Belone belone), and northern pike (Esox lucius) find sanctuary, utilizing the lagoons as nurturing grounds for their young.
A bustling community of invertebrates including rotifers (Rotifera), microscopic copepods (Copepoda), soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria), lagoon cockles (Cerastoderma glaucum), polychaete worms (Polychaeta), and freshwater amphipods (Gammarus fossarum), sustains the intricate web of life, providing sustenance for fish and birds alike.
Vegetation such as beaked tasselweed (Ruppia maritima) carpets the shallower areas of the Bodden.
Northern pike (Esox lucius)
Lagoon cockles (Cerastoderma glaucum)
Garfish (Belone belone)
And what about above the surface – what can you tell about the bird life in the region?
Above the tranquil waters, a sanctuary unfolds, where waterfowl and waders can find refuge and respite. Autumn breathes life into this landscape, as it adorns itself with the spectacular arrival of common cranes (Grus grus), their annual pilgrimage captivating nature enthusiasts. Around 80,000 of these majestic birds gracefully roosting in the region, turning it into a haven for avian admirers.
As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, the Bodden becomes a refuge for other migratory birds. Large groups of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) and bean geese (Anser fabalis) join the common cranes, finding sanctuary by the calm waters. The landscape echoes with the calls of golden plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) and the elegant presence of pied avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta), as they too rest in significant numbers during the autumnal months.
Common cranes (Grus grus)
Greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons)
Golder plovers (Pluvialis apricaria)
Winter unveils a new chapter in the Bodden's story, as it welcomes a procession of Arctic guests. Little red knots (Calidris canutus) and sanderlings (Calidris alba) scurry along the beach, their movements a dance against the backdrop of the cold sea. Joining them are up to 20,000 greylag geese (Anser anser), seeking shelter during their moult.
But the Bodden is not just a seasonal refuge; it is a thriving breeding ground for shorebirds, a place where life begins anew. Species such as the northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), common redshank (Tringa totanus), black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), common ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula), and sandwich tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) flock to the area, driven by the instinct to nurture the next generation. Their presence adds to the rich tapestry of biodiversity that defines this remarkable region.
Common redshank (Tringa totanus)
Photo: Friedemann Bartz
Black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa)
Common ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
Photo: Friedemann Bartz
How are environmental threats impacting the delicate balance of life in the Bodden?
As this symphony of life plays out in the national park, the melody is underscored by looming threats.
Human activities, ranging from navigation to water sports, have the potential to disrupt the delicate balance of these ecosystems. To mitigate these disturbances, navigation is strictly regulated in certain water areas, with prohibitions or restrictions enforced to protect sensitive habitats, such as the coastal bird breeding areas found on the islands. Angling is prohibited in some parts of these vulnerable zones, and water sports are confined to designated areas to minimize the disruption to wildlife.
Beyond human interference, overfishing, climate change and overfertilization pose significant risks to the marine life that calls Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft home. The loss of food sources due to overfishing not only impacts fish populations but also has cascading effects on birds, marine mammals, and other species.
Global warming further exacerbates these challenges, as the shallow waters of the Bodden experience rapid warming. This warming trend accelerates the formation of algae blooms, which consume large amounts of oxygen, creating oxygen-deprived zones. The rising temperatures also pose challenges for many organisms unable to adapt quickly enough, leading to restrictions on reproduction and prompting migration to cooler areas in search of suitable habitats.
In the face of these complex threats, conservation and protection efforts are paramount to safeguarding the Bodden's precious biodiversity. Through careful management strategies and collective action, there is hope that these ecosystems can endure and thrive for generations to come.
Human activities can disrupt the balance of the national park's ecosystems.
Photo: Lutz Storm
Red List species
Among the species listed in this article, the following are identified in HELCOM’s Red List as they face the threat of extinction due to human activities or natural environmental variability. These species are in urgent need of special attention and protection efforts:
Birds:
Bean geese (Anser fabalis) - endangered
Black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) - near threatened
Common redshank (Tringa totanus) - near threatened
Common ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula) - near threatened
Northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) - near threatened
Fish and lampreys:
Herring (Clupea harengus) – least concern
The area of the national park Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft
While the Bodden's underwater vegetation is prevalent, at this depth vegetation is lacking because of a lack of light
The percentage of the national park comprising the Baltic Sea, tidal flats and briny lagoons
The percentage of the national park comprising the Baltic Sea, tidal flats and briny lagoons
While the Bodden's underwater vegetation is prevalent, at this depth vegetation is lacking because of a lack of light
The percentage of the national park comprising the Baltic Sea, tidal flats and briny lagoons
While the Bodden's underwater vegetation is prevalent, at this depth vegetation is lacking because of a lack of light
While the Bodden's underwater vegetation is prevalent, at this depth vegetation is lacking because of a lack of light
While the Bodden's underwater vegetation is prevalent, at this depth vegetation is lacking because of a lack of light
Around this many common cranes roost in the lagoon landscape each year
While the Bodden's underwater vegetation is prevalent, at this depth vegetation is lacking because of a lack of light
While the Bodden's underwater vegetation is prevalent, at this depth vegetation is lacking because of a lack of light
