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Trilateral Wadden Sea Plan Eighth Trilateral Governmental Conference on the Protection of the Wadden Sea Stade, Germany, October 22, 1997 Contents: Preface I. Integrated Management II. The Targets: 1 Landscape and Culture 2 Water and Sediment 3 Salt Marshes 4 Tidal Area 5 Beaches and Dunes   6 Estuaries 7 Offshore Area 8 Rural Area 9 Birds 10 Marine Mammals Appendix I: Maps Appendix II: Index of Activites Appendix III: Glossary

Appendix III: Glossary Background concentration, Background value Concentration of a substance in an environment not influenced by human activities. Baseline Natural and artificial lines to calculate the seaward border of coastal waters and the extension of the territorial waters. It is the low water line along the coast or, where appropriate, an artificial line in the area of bays, estuaries or between islands. The baseline is defined according to the United Nations Law of the Sea of 1982 (Articles 3 - 16). Benthic stock The total amount of all aquatic organisms living in, or on, the sea floor. Best Available Technique The latest stage of processes, facilities or methods for limiting discharges and emissions of wastes, which is also practically feasible. Best Environmental Practice The application of the most appropriate combination of environmental control measures and strategies ( OSPAR Convention 1992, Appendix I). Bio-accumulation The accumulation in an organism, mainly in soft parts such as liver and muscles, but also in hard parts (bones etc.), of substances (e.g. heavy metals, pesticides) after passive or active uptake from the water. Biotope An area, characterized by certain environmental conditions, in which different species and communities live and are interconnected. Brackish water limit Border of seawater and freshwater in estuaries. The hydrographical brackish water limit is 0.5 PSU (practical salinity unit). Breeding success Number of fledged young birds per year and breeding pair. To be differentiated from "hatching success", which means number of hatched birds of all eggs and "fledging success", which means number of fledged young birds of all hatched birds. Brushwood groyne See Groyne. By-catch Those organisms caught during fishing which are too small or are not the target species. When thrown back into the sea they are called "discard". Carrying capacity The maximum population of a given organism that a particular environment can sustain. Catchment area The area from which a certain river or a sea derives its water, e.g. all precipitation on this area finally flows into one certain river /sea. Co-management Co-management implies the involvement of stakeholders in the making and implementation of decisions about the management of e.g. fishery resources. It has two main features: consultation and delegation. Consultation between the central administration and the user groups about the contents of the management strategies and the delegation of specific management functions to responsible user group organizations. (Report of the Seminar on Co-Management, 9-10 January 1997, Groningen, NL). Cuttings Material formed during the drilling process, i.e. rock particles, sand etc. mixed with drilling muds (see drilling muds). Deepwater route Special routes with an international status which have been instituted for deep-draught ships and ships with dangerous substances in bulk. Discards Fishery offal and by-catch disposed of into the sea. Drilling muds Fluids used in drilling operations for cooling the drilling chisel and transporting cuttings to the surface. Drilling muds can either be based on water or oil. They contain various other components, e.g. e.g. heavy metals, bentonite, inorganic salts, surfactants, organic polymers, detergents, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, lubricants in the form of oil-water emulsions. Ecosystem Natural functional unit of organism, as well as, natural and artificial abiotic compartments which are interconnected concerning the exchange of energy, substances and information. Environmental Impact Assessment Comprehensive investigation of possible effects of projects or measures, with regard to the ecological impacts. Flight corridors Defined air corridors (height and width) to which air traffic is restricted. Flyway cooperation International cooperation concerning the East-Atlantic-Flyway of migratory birds between the countries of the flyway. The Flyway connects the breeding areas in the Arctic and the overwintering areas in West-Europe and West Africa. Gill-nets Rectangular nets used for passive fishery placed vertically in the water column. Green beach plains Beach area shielded by primary dunes enabling sparse vegetation. Groyne Comstruction built parallel or perpendicular to the coastline with the aim of enhancing sedimentation of fine-grained material and/or reducing wave and current energy. They may consist of brushwood, stone or concrete. Habitat The structural environment where a species naturally or usually lives or is found. Hydrofoil craft Boat / Vessel equipped with structures (plates or fins) which, when the boat is in motion, raise the hull out of the water, thereby reducinq resistance and, consequently, allowinq for hiqher Indigenous Wadden Sea species Species which have occurred naturally in the Wadden Sea for a long period of time. Contrary to non-indigenous species which have been imported by Man or which have immigrated into the Wadden Sea in recent times Intertidal area See Tidal flats. Ishohaline A contour line on a map connecting points of equal salinity (at a particular time). Isobath A contour line on a map connecting points of equal depth. Mound A heap, or a pile of earth, either natural or artificial; in this case, built by man in coastal areas, tide streams and estuaries for protection against storm tides. Oil-based muds See drilling muds. Operational discharges Discharges of oil, garbage and ha~ardous substances from ships during normal operation practices lin contrast to dumping and discharge). Regulated by the MARPOL Convention. Outer delta Outer deltas are underwater sand banks at the outer (North Sea ) side of the tidal inlets between the islands. They are also called ebb deltas because they are formed during ebb-tide when water is transported from the Wadden Sea through the inlets to the North Sea. The sand, that is transported with the outflowing water, is deposited on the North Sea side of the inlet in an arch shaped form. Pioneer zone Transition area between salt marshe and tidal area, located between middle tide low water and middle tide high water, dominated by Salicornia and sometimes with scattered Spartina tussocks. Primary dunes Wind created sand accretion (up to 1 m), with or without sparse/scattered vegetation, dominated by sea wheat grass (Agropyron junceum). Transition phase in the development to secondary dunes (white dunes). Primary dune valleys Valleys parallel to the beach between two dune walls with wet conditions (at least in winter), increasing dominance of fresh water, sometimes also moor. Depending on local conditions, dune valleys have characteristical vegetations (wet heaths, rush and sedge swamps, as well as, aquatic and amphibic communities). Secondary dune valleys are created by blow-out and are located in wind direction. *Primary production The production of living matter by photosynthesizing organisms (e.g.. plants, plankton) or by chemosynthesizing organisms (e.g. bacteria). Usually expressed as grams of carbon per square meter per year, because carbon is a common element in all living matter. Resilience The ability to return to the original state (or original dynamic) after a temporary disturbance (e.g. natural events or human interference). Sabellaria reefs The tube building bristle-worm Sabellaria spinulosa forms sand reefs. This characteristic species of the subtidal channels disappeared almost completely. Only two recent observations of Sabellaria reefs are known (near the islands of Mellum and Amrum, Germany). Secondary dunes Up to 20 m high dunes. First stable stage of dune succession with vegetation; dominated by marram grass (Ammophila arenaria). Shore reception facilities Facilities in ports for the reception of oily and chemical residues and wastes from ships. Sluicing regimes Specific scheme according to which fresh water is sluiced into the sea at certain periods. Spring high tidewater line, spring low tide water line Highest, respectively, lowest water line during spring tide (which is caused by the summation of the gravitation of moon and sun during full-moon and new-moon). Stakeholders Any person, institution, organization, agency, department, authority, club, association etc. which has, in the broadest sense, an interest in, or association with, a particular issue. Subtidal Coastal area below the spring low tide water line, always covered by water (sublitoral). Sustainable use The use of components of biological diversity in a way, and at a rate, that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations (Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992). Synergism Interaction of several components, intensifying each other, e.g. influence of a combination of contaminants on organisms. Tidal basin System of tidal channels and tidal flats between two water sheds (see Water Shed) ranging from the dike to approximately the 20 m depth line. Tidal flat Area which is regularly flooded/covered by water during high tide (mud flat, eulitoral). Top predators Animals which feed on other animals and which are themselves not a prey for other species. The only exception is hunting by Man. Examples in the Wadden Sea are seals, foxes and several bird species. Water-based muds See Drilling muds. Watershed The area between two tidal basins. Water sheds have a higher elevation than other tidal flats and are flooded last. Xenobiotics Man made substances. Zostera fields Seagrass meadows or eelgrass fields (Zostera marina and Z. noltii) in the tidal area. Top of Page