Habitat available for shorebirds along the Atlantic coast is dwindling, squeezed between coastal development, recreational pressure and sea level rise. In many areas of the coast, the habitat that remains and is most suitable for shorebirds suffers from chronic recreation pressure. As a result, human disturbance has become one of the most significant threats facing shorebirds, and it is a threat that is likely to increase over time as more people inhabit the coastal zone and habitat declines as a result of development, other human encroachment and sea level rise.
While the threat of human disturbance is widely recognized, guidelines for managing disturbance are lacking. This project (to be completed in 2 phases) will produce scientifically-sound guidelines for managing human disturbances, key indicators and metrics for measuring outcomes, and a framework for incorporating social and biological data to improve the effectiveness of disturbance strategies for the Atlantic Flyway.