Search
Close this search box.

Ecological monitoring & international waterbird counting

The PND implements several monitoring protocolsvi : the annual count of waterbirds, the sampling of wintering, migratory and nesting birds, the sampling of fish (fishing campaigns), warthogs, typha, mangroves, and more generally of the fauna and flora.

Ecological monitoring

Several types of monitoring exist at the PND: monitoring of birds, mammals, herpetofauna, ichthyofauna, flora, and more rarely insects. The main tasks of ecological monitoring are:

  • Observation of fauna and flora
  • Participation in data collection : hydrometric levels, identification and inventory of plant and animal species, etc.
  • Monitoring regulatory compliance in terms ofsustainable exploitation of natural resources
  • Support for the development of natural habitats
  • Support for missions external scientists and experts

Follow-ups can be from observations during various field trips, or specific protocols pre-established.

Observation of flora and fauna
Weekly bird monitoring

Weekly monitoring of avifauna

Birds are excellent indicators of the state of the environment. Their study allows us to know the general state of our ecosystems and the environment.

Declining numbers of any bird species can reveal wider concerns. It is therefore essential to monitor populations to quickly detect declines and establish conservation priorities. Monitoring and maintaining bird populations and their habitats are the guarantee of a healthy environment for all living beings.

International waterbird counts

The Diawling National Park is among the coastal wetlands of international importance (Ramsar site since 1994) to accommodate migrating or wintering waterbirds on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. It hosts several hundred thousand birds migratory water bodies, but also significant numbers on a global scale of several threatened or scarce species, such as the Lesser Flamingo, the Pied Avocet or the Black-tailed Godwit.

January 15 of each year is established as an evaluation day of the avian potential of the RBTDS, on both sides of the Senegal River with the participation of partners, in particular BACoMaB. This activity complements the weekly monitoring waterbirds carried out in particular since the impoundment of the ponds from July.

The data collected is used to populate the PND database. The latter allows, after processing, to provide the information sought on numbers, species, frequentation sites, quality of birds, periods, etc. this is how the richness or function of habitats is evaluated.

Map of international waterbird counting circuits in the PND

International enumeration methodology

The PND covers an area of ​​16 ha and divided into 000 basins or ecological units. The land count on January 3 concerns the following ecological regions: Diawling National Park, ChatTboul, Aftout and the Peripheral Zone of the Park. In 15, the circuits selected were as follows:

  • 1 circuit : Mare d’Aftout
  • 2 circuit : Lac de Mulet, Grand Lac, Depression de Chat Boul, Toumbos Nord, Toumbos Sud
  • 3 circuit : Berbar structure, Crossing north dike and right bank dike, Cheyal structure, Diawling ladder, Mares just north of the Diawling ladder, North dike, south coast north dike, Diawling basin on the north side opposite the old watchtower, colony nesting site
  • 4 circuit : From the Digue de Ziré, follow the international dike (Bell Est) to the Carrefour and Ouvrages de Bell 2
  • 5 circuit : Foot of the Ziré dune on the east side, Ouvrage de Berbar, Diawling Tichilitt former viewpoint), Lake N'Tock, Ouvrage de Lekser
  • 6 circuit : Lake N'Ter, Ouvrage de Lekser, N'Dernaya, Confluent Khouroumbam, Ghahra at the level of the mangrove plantation
  • 7 circuit : 10 km north of Chat Boul on the beach opposite Aftout to the port, Face Chat Tboul, Mouly, N'Diago, Mares de N'Diago – Ghahra
  • 8 circuit : Mare des echasses, Mare de Birette Diama, Confluent N'Thiallakh to count at the Rhizophora level, Opposite the wrecks, Bras de N'Thiallakh opposite Ebden, Confluent N'Thiallakh to count at the Rhizophora level, the surrounding areas and the Bras de N’Thiallakh
  • 9 circuit : Ouvrage d'Aftout, Mares around the irrigation canal, flamingo nesting site from the guard post, Mare de Keur Macéne opposite the rice fields, Mares which are located next to the Aftout structure

 

Coastal monitoring

The maritime area of ​​the PND concentrates a set of essential issues both for biodiversity (seasonal migration corridor for several species, notably for sea turtles, etc.) that on the economic and social levels (artisanal and industrial fishermen, etc.). Monitoring the dynamics within these spaces allows us to better understand the ecology of species as well as their relationships with coastal activities. The objective of this monitoring is therefore to improve the conservation, viability and visibility of the maritime and coastal façade of the PND.

The specific objective is to monitoring of strandings of marine turtles and cetaceans on the coast between PK28 and the border with Senegal (N'Diago) using the procedure MEDD (2019), as well as the bird population census (identification and counting). Fishing camps are also regularly visited to monitor activities, collect new data and raise awareness among fishermen.

Monitoring of strandings is done with standardized sheets also presented in the procedures manual for monitoring the quality of the Mauritanian marine and coastal environment of the MEDD. The data collected makes it possible to evaluate the diversity of species and the density of strandings from one mission to another. Each stranding is the subject of a data record compiled in a file (GPS point, species, measurements, etc.) then consolidated in a database dedicated to coastal monitoring. The photos of each observation are also archived in a dedicated database.

Coastal bird monitoring
Tracking strandings
Warthog tracking

Monitoring mammals and warthogs

After the creation of the park in 1991, the warthog population has experienced a spectacular and unexpected growthe. This growth has led to strong pressure on human activities : damage important on market gardening, pressure on the areas of grazing, attacks animals (goats, weakened cowss, newborns…).

In this context, theNational Office of CHasse and Wild Fauna (ONCFS) supported the PND in 2008 with a study: “Implementation of indicators to monitor the warthog population and the damage caused by this species".

It was then recommended to monitor warthog numbers twice a year following a protocol, once during the dry period, and once during the rainy season (October).

Cricket

Entomofauna monitoring

Le insect tracking is still quite rare and not very regular, due to lack of identification skills. This monitoring aims to be developed over time. However, different species have been spotted in the park:

  • Order Lepidoptera: moths, day butterflies

  • Order of Diptera: mosquitoes, flies

  • Order of Coleoptera: ladybugs, beetles

  • Order Hymenoptera: bees, wasps

  • Order Odonata: dragonflies, damselflies

  • Order Orthoptera: locusts, crickets

  • Order of Dictyoptera: praying mantises

  • Order of Neuroptera: four millions