The Wadden Sea World Heritage Site

In June of 2009, The Wadden Sea was recently added in the roster of the Natural World Heritage List. Credit goes not only to the German flag, but also to the Netherlands' since the World Heritage Site includes the Wadden Sea National Parks of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, and the Wadden Sea Conservation Area in Netherlands.

This temperate coastal wetland serves as a transitional habitat for communities of flora and fauna in the area. Various animals like the gray seal and harbor porpoise thrive in these conditions. It is a very important site for the breeding of migratory birds during the wintertime as it is visited by nearly twelve million avian species yearly.

Its inclusion in the list means several criteria were met for it to have a distinctive universal significance. Its formation is a witness to the geological transformations taking place throughout the Earth's history. It also has proven to be an excellent example in the continual evolution of diverse ecosystems through its biological and ecological processes. It is a vital habitat for the conservation of various life forms, most especially for being a dwelling place for the endangered species such as the African-Eurasian migratory birds

Not only is the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site a source of pride for Germany and Netherlands, it is the pride and honor of the whole world, as well. It must be realized, however, that more than the honor it brings, we have the responsibility of taking care of it for aside from being a home of several animals and plants, its presence is a determining factor of our survival, too.