The Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) is one of the world’s most endangered marsh passerines, listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and protected by the European Union’s Birds Directive. Each year, this bird migrates over 12,000 kilometers, connecting its breeding grounds in Eastern Europe to its wintering grounds in West Africa, particularly in Senegal. However, the wetlands that constitute its vital stopover and wintering grounds are severely degraded:

Drainage of marshes, conversion to agricultural land and plantations,

Abandonment of traditional agricultural practices,

Invasions of exotic species such as the Typha,

Increasing effects of climate change (salinization, water scarcity).

In Senegal, particularly around the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, the Tiguetee and Debi sedge marshes have historically been major resting areas for the species. However, their ecological status has deteriorated due to canal siltation and the invasion of cattail weed, dramatically reducing the quality of habitats needed by migratory birds.

Faced with this critical situation, the LIFE AWOM project aims to restore, protect, and sustainably manage these key habitats, closely involving local communities in conservation.

The survival of the Aquatic Warbler depends directly on the quality of the resting and wintering sites located along its migratory route. The disappearance of these habitats in West Africa could precipitate the global extinction of the species.

The LIFE AWOM project addresses the urgent need to restore critical habitats for the Aquatic Warbler in Senegal by combining ecological restoration, community engagement, and sustainable conservation. It directly contributes to the global strategy for migratory bird conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Bringing together 14 organizations from Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal and Senegal, “Aquatic Warblers on the Move” (AWOM) is the first multinational LIFE project aimed at restoring the migratory and wintering grounds of the Aquatic Warbler.

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