An airport island in the Dutch sector of the North Sea : effects on seabirds

Describes the current situation of the birds in the southern part of the North Sea and presents the expected developments of sea birds, taking autonomous development into account. The report goes on to analyse the consequences for birds of the predicted developments in the physical and biotic environment caused by the construction and the presence of an airport island. Based on predefined selection criteria, 33 bird species were chosen as indicator species. For these species the current situation, autonomous developments and the possible effects of an island in the North Sea are described. The assesment of small-scale and/ or direct effects on birds of the autonomous development, construction and presence of an airport island leads to specific predictions. As detailed knowledge about present and expected changes in food availability is lacking, there is much uncertainty about possible large-scale effects of the food chain.