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Since 1999, the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation (TWSC) between Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands has periodically produced the Wadden Sea Quality Status Report (QSR) describing and evaluating the current ecological status of the Wadden Sea.
On behalf of the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS), team members of BioConsult SH together with co-authors revised the chapters “Energy” und “Alien Species”.
The thematic report “Energy” gives an overview of the current state of energy production in the North Sea (offshore wind energy, gas, oil as well as pipelines and cables) and presents current political plans in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands up to the year 2030. Construction-, structure- or operation-related impacts of energy production and transmission on the Wadden Sea were identified and conflicts with the key values derived from the Outstanding Universal Value of the Wadden Sea as a World Heritage were analysed. Furthermore, the report gives an overview of the most important policies and regulations for the promotion, regulation and spatial planning of offshore wind energy use and for the exploitation of oil and gas concerning the Wadden Sea.
https://qsr.waddensea-worldheritage.org/reports/energy
The thematic report “Alien Species” reviews vectors and rates of species introduction in the Wadden Sea. Between 1900 and 1989, 2–4 species were introduced into the Wadden Sea Area per decade. Since 1990, the rate increased to 10–15 species per decade and to even more than 20 species in the period between 2011 and 2020. Shipping and aquaculture are considered to be major introduction vectors. Subsequently, the report assesses the effects of introduced species on targets of the Wadden Sea Plan and the criteria of the Outstanding Universal Value.
https://qsr.waddensea-worldheritage.org/reports/alien-species#subsection_5
The Wadden Sea Quality Status Report (QSR) includes five thematic sections: geomorphology, habitats, species, human activities and pollution. They serve to identify and assess emerging challenges.
Overall nine chapters were revised and are available for download from the Wadden Sea World Heritage website from September 2022: https://qsr.waddensea-worldheritage.org/