Priorities for Future Research

Future research on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper should prioritize identifying unknown stopover and non-breeding sites through satellite tracking, habitat modeling, and stable isotope analysis. Expanding satellite tagging efforts with smaller, more aerodynamically optimized tags, particularly for juveniles and post-breeding birds, will yield critical data on migration routes and previously unknown essential habitats. Field surveys at newly identified sites must assess local populations and potential threats to these habitats. Additionally, research should focus on understanding the impact of climate change on both breeding and non-breeding habitats, including how rising sea levels and habitat degradation affect food availability and nesting success. Long-term monitoring of pollutant exposure in coastal wetlands, using non-invasive techniques, is essential to assess how contaminants like heavy metals and microplastics impact the species. Developing “climate-smart” conservation strategies to mitigate these threats, combined with genetic studies to monitor genetic diversity and potential bottlenecks in the population, will be vital for ensuring the species' survival in the face of ongoing environmental changes.