Background
The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) started back in 1987 and forms part of the global International Waterbird Census that marks its 50th count in 2016.
Information from the AWC contributes to the identification and monitoring of wetlands of international and national importance. It also assists decision-makers in designating wetlands to the Convention On Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran 1971), protecting threatened species, improving knowledge of little-known waterbird species and assessing values of wetlands. The date feeds into an international programme to maintain an overview of the population size, status and trends of waterbirds.
The AWC has also helped increase local awareness and participation in the conservation of waterbirds and their wetlands habitats. The recommended dates for the AWC 2016 are Saturday 9 to Sunday 24, January 2016. However, these dates are for guidance only and counts from any date in January are very welcome. If you would like to join the thousands of volunteers contributing to the AWC, please click the button below to contact the AWC National Coordinator.
Information from the AWC contributes to the identification and monitoring of wetlands of international and national importance. It also assists decision-makers in designating wetlands to the Convention On Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran 1971), protecting threatened species, improving knowledge of little-known waterbird species and assessing values of wetlands. The date feeds into an international programme to maintain an overview of the population size, status and trends of waterbirds.
The AWC has also helped increase local awareness and participation in the conservation of waterbirds and their wetlands habitats. The recommended dates for the AWC 2016 are Saturday 9 to Sunday 24, January 2016. However, these dates are for guidance only and counts from any date in January are very welcome. If you would like to join the thousands of volunteers contributing to the AWC, please click the button below to contact the AWC National Coordinator.
Organizations
At a national level, the census is coordinated by one National Coordinator, sometimes assisted by Regional Coordinators. The AWC National Coordinator network is facilitated by Wetlands International South Asia office. Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is the National Coordinator for the AWC in Malaysia. Since year 2000, MNS has been collaborated with PERHILITAN and Ministry of Natural Resource & Environment to carry out the annual census.
Methodology
The waterbird count data and site information are recorded on standardized census forms. A single count is made at each each site. The information is submitted to the National Coordinators and Regional Coordinators. After collation and validation, this data is forwarded to Wetlands International South Asia office to be collated for the the International Waterbird Census database. These counts then contribute to the international objectives outlined above. The AWC can also provide a framework for National Coordinators to prepare analyses and reports for their national purposes.
Click the buttons below to get more information on the guidance and protocol for waterbird counting, and the AWC species and sites form:
Click the buttons below to get more information on the guidance and protocol for waterbird counting, and the AWC species and sites form:
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Species and site coverage
Wetland sites covered by the AWC include all types of natural and man-made wetlands, including: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, freshwater swamps, mangroves, mudflats, coral reefs, rice fields and sewage farms that are covered by the Ramsar Convention.
The species counted include all types of waterbirds regularly encountered at wetlands, including: grebes, cormorants, pelicans, herons, egrets, storks, ibises, spoonbills, flamingos, ducks, geese, swans, cranes, rails, jacanas, shorebirds, gulls, terns and skimmers. In addition raptors, kingfishers and other birds largely dependent on food resources in these habitats are covered. |
Click the right button to download the important sites and registered volunteers for AWC 2016.
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results
Since its establishment in 1987, the AWC has been undertaken at more than 6,100 sites in 27 countries with the active participation of thousands of volunteers. The information collected by these volunteers is available to a wide range of government agencies and non-government organisations and contributes to conservation activities from the local to global level, including:
The use of AWC data for scientific research is also encouraged. Researchers can ask for AWC data by completing and returning this form. Please remember that Wetlands International does not own the data held in the International Waterbird Census (IWC) database, so we cannot provide sub-national level data for publication without the National Coordinator's permission.
The AWC (Malaysia) country report 2000-2009, 2015 are available for download.
- raising awareness of waterbirds and waterbird conservation issues;
- supporting local conservation activities at wetlands;
- the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, in identifying and monitoring wetlands of international importance;
- the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), by monitoring the status of migratory waterbirds and their habitats;
- the Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) goal in conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;
- implementation of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Initiative (EAAFP) and Central Asian Flyway Action Plan through monitoring important and Flyway Network sites;
- BirdLife International's Important Bird Area (IBA) Programme;
- IUCN/BirdLife International's Global Species Programme (Red List);
- Wetlands International's Waterbird Population Estimates programme.
- Status of waterbirds in Asia. Results of the Asian Waterbird Census 1987-2007;
- The Asian Waterfowl Census 1987-91: Distribution and Status of Asian Waterfowl;
- Numbers and distribution of waterbirds and wetlands in the Asia-Pacific region:Results of the Asian Waterbird Census: 2002–2004;
- Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian - Australasian Flyway; Population Estimates and Internationally Important Sites;
- Results from the International Waterbird Census in Central Asia and the Caucasus 2003-2005.
The use of AWC data for scientific research is also encouraged. Researchers can ask for AWC data by completing and returning this form. Please remember that Wetlands International does not own the data held in the International Waterbird Census (IWC) database, so we cannot provide sub-national level data for publication without the National Coordinator's permission.
The AWC (Malaysia) country report 2000-2009, 2015 are available for download.