Grebes: Status Survey And Conservation Action Plan

Grebes are specialized waterbirds which inhabit marshlands and reed-fringed lakes. Their dependence on wetlands is total and they are particularly vulnerable to changes in ecosystems and their deterioration. Grebes are so adapted to the wetlands they inhabit that they are an ideal indicator of the health of wetlands and the changes taking place, changes often imperceptible to humans. Since c. 1970, two of the 22 recognized species of grebes have become extinct and two others are in a critical situation. One of the greatest threats to survival is loss of habitat. This Action Plan reviews the threats to grebes world-wide and their current status and proposes a series of 8 priority actions to ensure their survival.