Estimating the conservation cost of the projected new international Lisbon airport for migratory shorebirds of the Tagus estuary, Portugal

Summary The increasing pressure of anthropogenic development in areas with high natural value poses a huge challenge for wildlife conservation worldwide. Tagus estuary southern Portugal is among the most important wetlands migratory shorebirds East Atlantic Flyway (EAF). However, 2020 Portuguese government approved construction new Lisbon international airport at heart estuary. Intense aircraft traffic, flying low altitudes during both approach and take-off, expected to cross estuary, overlapping great extent intertidal foraging areas. Here, we aim quantify potential loss resulting from disturbance (noise) caused by overflying aircraft. Using comprehensive dataset wintering shorebird abundance distribution whole estuarine area first identified priority using spatial prioritization approach. We then performed replacement cost analysis excluding likely become unsuitable or severely underused birds due intense air traffic noise. Our results suggest that implementation may lead up 30% terms feeding alone. global impact will be greater when effects on supratidal roosts, as well passage birds, are also considered. which internationally six 10 species included our analysis, just one network already depleted sites along EAF. Thus, negative impacts bird populations have repercussions undermine efforts elsewhere. plight thus matter concern.