The wintering shorebirds (Aves, Charadrii) in Mauritania: principal species, and wetlands of major importance

The analysis of the distribution wintering waders in Mauritania demonstrated that most of these birds (77 %) are distributed on the Atlantic coast. In fact, this is mainly along this coast that the habitat preferences of this group (sand, mudflats, and near wet grassland) are relatively well represented. Also, the main shorebird populations in Mauritania can be classified into three categories based on their geographical distribution method: Species whose distribution is spread all along the Atlantic coast; these waders seem to favor any latitude. The Mauritanian coast for these species represents continuity between their wintering grounds in Western Europe and those of West Africa. Populations whose distribution is restricted to the northern region of Mauritania; the southern limit of their wintering areas is for these populations. Populations confined mainly in the southern coastal areas the southeastern coast of Mauritania represents, consequently, the northward extension of the main areas of these populations winter in West Africa. From this point of view, the Mauritanian territory constitutes, along through the migration east – Atlantic, a transition zone between Western Europe and West Africa; the northern part of the country plays a role analogous to that of Western Europe, while its southern part is similar to West Africa. The dividing line between the two sectors is represented by the line up of Nouakchott-Nema.