Come to the Wadden Sea and do biology- or geography excercise with your class. The nature guide of THE WADDEN SEA CENTRE will take you on a trip out to the Wadden Sea, where we will study the fauna, flora and the geomorphologic features of the landscape.
In combination with the field excercise you will receive a tour or introduction in our exhibition THE MIGRATORY BIRDS' WADDEN SEA
See prices here.
The Wadden Sea, invasive species and climate
Through this course the students will gain insight in how invasive species may affect a ecosystem. We will take a tour on one of the large oyster reefs of the Wadden Sea, where we will study the invasive pacific oyster. We will count and measure the oysters and assess which significance they may have for the natural species of the areas.
The exercise gives an understanding of the concepts of invasive species, ecosystems and food chains.
Primary production of the mudflats (incl. qualitative examination of the fauna of the Wadden Sea)
In this exercise we will study the primary food resource for all life in the Wadden Sea - the giant primary production of the diatoms! The students will gather samples of diatomes in the top centimeter of the mudflats. They will also study the fauna of the Wadden Sea with nets and forks. In the nature school the production oxygen by the diatoms will be measured and from the results the primary production will be calculated.
The exercise gives an understanding of primary production, secondary production, food chains, photosynthesis and respiration.
Quantitative and qualitative examination of the fauna of the Wadden Sea
The production of the animals living in the mudflats of the Wadden Sea is enormous, and has great significance for birds and fishes. In this exercise the students with gather soil samples from two different areas: a sandy mudflat and an estuarine mudflat. They will determine the species of the animals in the samples and count them. This way they will learn both the species and the number of individual in a given area. In the second part of the exercise a run with a net in the low water will give a sample of water living animals in the Wadden Sea.
The exercise give a general understanding of the ecosystem of the Wadden Sea and the concepts of biodiversity, food chains and species.
The birds of The Wadden Sea National Park
On THE WADDEN SEA CENTRE we will dissect eiders, study their adaptations to a life on the Wadden Sea, and their physical condition. Afterwards we will take a tour to the Wadden Sea with telescopes and binoculars, where the students will try to identify the different species of birds. We observe the behaviour and appearance of the birds and discuss their adaptations to the environment of the Wadden Sea.
The Harbour seal
In the nature school the students will learn about the biology of the harbour seal and we will discuss management and bioethical issues regarding seals in the Wadden Sea. Afterwards we will go to Mandø where we will talk 2 km on the mudflats out to the seal banks. With binoculars and telescopes we observe the seal and count them.
Landscape formation on Råhede Vade
During the last 50-60 years Råhede Vade has developed from mudflat to salt meadow. We will study the erosion crusts and tidal inlets on the 70 ha areas The students will do an exercise where they determine all plant species in an area following a direct line going about 20-30 m from the wet and salty area on the mudflat to the more and more dry and less salt affected meadow
With the unique nature of architect Dorte Mandrups building - where reeds are used on facade, roof and underlay, and lists of robinia-wood make the already existing building melt seamlessly together with the new building - the result is a structure, that almost seems to grow from the ground - gently and adapted to the flat marshland.
The exhibition "THE MIGRATORY BIRDS' WADDEN SEA" is likewise adapted to the singular center. In cooperation with THE WADDEN SEA CENTRE, architect Johan Carlsson has with his thorough design created a poetic, aesthetic and modern exhibition, which with great perception shows the Wadden Sea and the migratory birds. Here are experiences which catches and involves the guests of the center - young as well as elderly - in the wondrous world of the Wadden Sea.
Read MoreOkholmvej 5 • Vester Vedsted • 6760 Ribe • DK • Tel. 75 44 61 61 • CVR.: 24245861 • info@vadehavscentret.dk
Opening hours:
The center is closed from 1. december to 9. february (both days included).
November until April:
Monday to Sunday from 10 am until 4 pm.
May until October:
Monday to Sunday from 10 am until 5 pm
Entrance fee for 2023:
Adult: 140 DKK
Children (4-13 years old): 50 DKK
Age 0-3 is free.