Preserving the Mediterranean bird flyways: Assessment and prioritization of 38 main wetlands under human and climate threats in Sardinia and Sicily (Italy)

Wetlands provide a wide range of ecosystem services, including supplying the food and shelter for a rich assemblage ofwaterbirds and providing the stopover sites that allowbirds tomakemigratory journeys. Human impact and the ongoing climate change are however reducing the ability of wetlands to provide such important services. Through field surveys, GIS analyses and climate projections, we assessed the status of, and threats to, 38 largest wetlands belonging to the Mediterranean bird flyways in Sardinia and Sicily (Italy). We then combined ten decision criteria about avifaunal diversity and human/climate threats in order to prioritize the studied wetlands from most to least worthy of urgent interventions. Results showed that the main wetlands of these two regions have distinct demands with regard to the kind of actions required, going fromthe mitigation of tourismpressure to the prevention of climate-inducedwater shortage in summer. Furthermore, clear priorities for interventions emerged in both regions. Our study has direct implications for managers and researchers attempting to assess wetland conditions and set conservation priorities, thus offering a tool for deciding urgent interventions on themain stopover sites along the Mediterranean bird flyways. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Wetlands serve as crucial habitats for waterbirds and play a key role in ecological services, but are facing threats from human activities and climate change. Research in Sardinia and Sicily shows that different interventions are needed for wetlands in these regions, ranging from reducing tourism pressure to preventing water shortages in summer. Prioritization of interventions based on avifaunal diversity and threats can benefit conservation efforts along the Mediterranean bird flyways.