Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea lies between the coastal region of the northwest of Europe and the lower part of the Frisian Islands.

The Wadden Sea has many different organisms each living differently. The Wadden Sea extends from Den Helder in the northwest of Netherlands to the great river estuaries in Germany and heading all the way to the northern boundary in Salinger, Denmark.

The coastline of the Wadden Sea has been greatly advanced by man.

Wadden Sea Facts for Kids

  • The Wadden Sea has a total area that is estimated to be 3,861 square miles and covers a total distance of 248 miles which is equivalent to 400 km.
  • The Wadden Sea has been observed as an ideal migration site for more than 30 species of birds. The sea has the capability to host a maximum of 12 million birds. The birds are attracted to this sea by a good environment suitable for breeding and nesting.
  • The Wadden Sea is one of the best places for leisure activities such as swimming, boat riding, watching of birds, cycling activities, watching of the seal, and a good site for mudflat hiking.
  • The Wadden Sea is a habitat of more than 5000 different types of plants and animals with some being seals, porpoises, and historical whales.
  • The Wadden Sea has the largest national parks in Denmark, with the total area covered by the national parks estimated to be about 1,466 square kilometers. Tourists who visit the national parks in the Wadden Sea enjoy extraordinary wildlife species found on their land.
  • The Wadden Sea has many islands on it which are collectively named as’ Frisian Islands”
  • The Wadden Sea is under the control of three countries in which it is located namely Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
  • The Wadden Sea is unique in that it is the largest unbroken area that is above water at low tide and underwater at high tide on earth.
  • In 2009 the Wadden Sea parts in Germany and Dutch were added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Afterward, in 2014 the Danish was also added to the list.
  • The Wadden Sea is one the largest remaining zone where organisms continue to live between low and high tideline and natural processes continue to move on large scale without any interruptions.
  • In 1986 the area around the Wadden Sea was declared as a reverse biosphere by UNESCO.
  • The Wadden Sea is a sea that changes a number of times per day in terms of water masses.
  • The Wadden Sea is the only sea area in the world with a moderate and pleasant climate.
  • The Wadden Sea is one of the biggest wetlands on the earth.

With all these facts about the Wadden Sea, it would be nice to look at some of the questions that might be common among people.

Question: Are there any threats to the native creatures and plants living in the Wadden Sea?

Answer: Yes, this is because there has been the introduction of aggressive species by human beings which are negatively impacting on the native species.

Question: Are there any measures put in place in order to protect the Wadden Sea?

Answer: Yes. All three governments of countries in which the Wadden Sea is located have been working hand in hand since 1978 in order to enhance the protection and conservation of the Wadden Sea. Further, in 1982, they had an agreement which was about joint protection of the sea. Later in 1997, they adopted a Trilateral Wadden Sea Plan.