The population of harbour seals in the Wadden Sea area remained largely stable in 2016. Experts assume that a slight decrease in numbers may be a signal that the overall population in the area has reached its carrying capacity.
During the 2017 aerial surveys for harbour seal counts, the number of newborn harbour seal pups in the Wadden Sea registered was the highest since the first surveys in 1975.
Geomorphology and climate, habitats and communities, species, human activities, and pollution of the Wadden Sea are the main areas of analysis in the Quality Status Report 2017 (QSR).
During the two-week Wadden Sea World Heritage Summer School 2018, taking place from 18 - 31 August 2018, master students and (early) PhD students explore the natural dynamics of the Wadden Sea.
Water and sediment are constantly moved around by the tide and wind. They form the Wadden Sea. Its ecological, cultural and economic development is determined by these daily changes. The trilateral Wadden Sea consists of a number of joined sediment-sharing inlet systems.
With a 13-percent increase of counted individuals since 2017 and a steady growth for more than ten years, the grey seal has re-established a stable stock in the Wadden Sea area.
