282
J 2 Protection or JlI\)(e"C, III the Waddell Sea
The protection of processes has a scientific base in the patch-dynamics concept
of Pickett & White (19R5). This implies that change and disturbance are natural in
many systems and have important ecological functions. A further base for the
protection of processes is the mosaic-cycle concept (Remmert 1991) which assumes local successional cycles following disturbance events, leading to a climax
community. Unlike the mosaic-cycle theory, the patch-dynamic concept is independent from assumptions about equilibrium (Jax 1994; Bohmer 1997).
Often enough, National Parks are established in areas which cannot be cultivated because of harsh environmental conditions and are thus incidentally left in
an almost pristine state. A comparatively small part of about 2 % of the total area
of Germany are National Parks and only 0.4 % are zero-use areas suitable for the
protection of processes (Stock et a1. 1996). Thus only few areas remain where the
protection of processes can be realized without creating serious conflicts with
human activities, in particular with economic interests. According to the guidelines of the German National Parks, at least 75 % of the area within a National
Park should fall under this protection category. These areas should be designated
as strictly protected nature zones without management measures on a long-term
basis (Bibelriether 1997; Knapp 1998). However, such a high share of strictly
protected areas is not intended by the German Wadden Sea National Parks.
12.2
Protection of Processes in the Wadden Sea
12.2.1
Historical Background and Prerequisites for Nature Conservation in
the Wadden Sea
The esteem for the Wadden Sea as a valuable wetland grew in the 20
lh
century and
efforts to achieve a conservation have undergone an evolution of approaches from
functional to a natural development approach (Wolff 1997, Dankers & de Vias
1994). In the Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony the first conservation areas were established in the late 19th century to protect species or habitats. This included e.g.
breeding- or roost sites of birds or sensitive habitats such as salt marshes or dunes
which should be sheltered from damaging human activities (Dittmann et al. 1996).
In 1976, the Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony was certified as a wetland of international importance according to the RAMSAR-convention.
With the establishment of three Wadden Sea National Parks in SchleswigHolstein (l9R5), Lower Saxony (1986) and Hamburg (1990), the protection of
processes was officially proclaimed in the National Park regulations by stating that
the natural processes in these habitats with their species rich plant- and animal
stock should continue to exist.
In 1993, the Wadden Sea National Park of Lower Saxony also received the
status of a biosphere reserve according to the UNESCO-programme "Man and the
Biosphere" (MAB). The other two Wadden Sea National Parks are biosphere
reserves as well. where human activities and nature conservation have to be harmonized (Erdmann & Nauber 1995).
J 2 Protection or JlI\)(e"C, III the Waddell Sea
The protection of processes has a scientific base in the patch-dynamics concept
of Pickett & White (19R5). This implies that change and disturbance are natural in
many systems and have important ecological functions. A further base for the
protection of processes is the mosaic-cycle concept (Remmert 1991) which assumes local successional cycles following disturbance events, leading to a climax
community. Unlike the mosaic-cycle theory, the patch-dynamic concept is independent from assumptions about equilibrium (Jax 1994; Bohmer 1997).
Often enough, National Parks are established in areas which cannot be cultivated because of harsh environmental conditions and are thus incidentally left in
an almost pristine state. A comparatively small part of about 2 % of the total area
of Germany are National Parks and only 0.4 % are zero-use areas suitable for the
protection of processes (Stock et a1. 1996). Thus only few areas remain where the
protection of processes can be realized without creating serious conflicts with
human activities, in particular with economic interests. According to the guidelines of the German National Parks, at least 75 % of the area within a National
Park should fall under this protection category. These areas should be designated
as strictly protected nature zones without management measures on a long-term
basis (Bibelriether 1997; Knapp 1998). However, such a high share of strictly
protected areas is not intended by the German Wadden Sea National Parks.
12.2
Protection of Processes in the Wadden Sea
12.2.1
Historical Background and Prerequisites for Nature Conservation in
the Wadden Sea
The esteem for the Wadden Sea as a valuable wetland grew in the 20
lh
century and
efforts to achieve a conservation have undergone an evolution of approaches from
functional to a natural development approach (Wolff 1997, Dankers & de Vias
1994). In the Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony the first conservation areas were established in the late 19th century to protect species or habitats. This included e.g.
breeding- or roost sites of birds or sensitive habitats such as salt marshes or dunes
which should be sheltered from damaging human activities (Dittmann et al. 1996).
In 1976, the Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony was certified as a wetland of international importance according to the RAMSAR-convention.
With the establishment of three Wadden Sea National Parks in SchleswigHolstein (l9R5), Lower Saxony (1986) and Hamburg (1990), the protection of
processes was officially proclaimed in the National Park regulations by stating that
the natural processes in these habitats with their species rich plant- and animal
stock should continue to exist.
In 1993, the Wadden Sea National Park of Lower Saxony also received the
status of a biosphere reserve according to the UNESCO-programme "Man and the
Biosphere" (MAB). The other two Wadden Sea National Parks are biosphere
reserves as well. where human activities and nature conservation have to be harmonized (Erdmann & Nauber 1995).