Abstract
Like most delta-estuarine environments, in its natural state the Dutch Delta region, in which the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt have their estuaries, contains various complicated ecosystems. These reflect the complex hydrodynamic regime, with fast-flowing water masses in tidal channels, changing estuarine configurations, inhomogeneous tidal and subtidal sediments and salt marshes that flood periodically (Fig. 12.1). The history of the south-west Netherlands is one of ongoing struggle between people and the sea. People have been reclaiming the saltmarshes in this area and converting them into farmland since 1000 A.D. However, at various times the sea walls have been breached by storm floods and areas have reverted to the sea. On 1 February 1953, a northwesterly storm induced tides 3 m higher than normal; approximately 180 km of coastal defence dikes were breached and 160 000 ha of polder land was inundated. 1835 people lost their lives, more than 46 000 farms and buildings were destroyed or damaged and approximately 200 000 farm animals were lost (Fig. 12.2).
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
de Hoog JEW, Steenkamp BPC (1989) Eutrophication of the fresh waters of the Delta. In: Hooghart JC, Posthumus CWS (eds) Hydro-ecological relations in the Delta waters of the south-west Netherlands: technical meeting 46, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. TNO committee on hydrological research, The Hague, pp 27–48
de Vries I, Phillipart CJM, de Groodt EG, van der Tol MWM (1995) Coastal eutrophication and marine benthic vegetation. In: Schramm W, Nienhuis PH (eds) Marine benthic vegetation. Recent changes and the effects of eutrophication. Springer Verlag Ecol studies 123: 79–14
de Vries I, Smaal AC, Nienhuis PH, Joordens JCA (1996) Estuarine management strategies and the predictability of ecosystem changes. J Coastal Conservation 2: 139–148
Huis in’t Veld JC, Stuip J, Walter AW, van Westen JM (1984). The closure of tidal basins. Delft University Press, p 450
Knoester M (1984) Introduction to the Delta case studies. Wat Sci Tech 16: 1–9
Knoester M, Visser J, Bannink BA, Colijn CJ, Broeders WPA (1984) The eastern Scheldt project. Wat Sci Tech 16: 51–77
Lambeck RHD (1982) Colonization and distribution of Nassarius reticulatus (Mollusca: Prosobranchia) in the newly created saline lake Grevelingen (SW Netherlands). Neth J Sea Res 16: 67–79
Lambeck RHD (1985) Leven zonder getij. In: Nienhuis PH (red) Het Grevelingenmeer, van estuarium naar zoutwatermeer. Natuur en Techniek pp 114–129 (in Dutch)
Meire PM, Seys J, Ysebaert T, Meininger PL, Baptist HIM (1989) A changing Delta: effects of large coastal engineering works on feeding ecological relationships as illustrated by waterbirds. In: Hooghart JC, Posthumus CWS (eds), Hydro-ecological relations in the Delta waters of the south-west Netherlands: technical meeting 46, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. TNO committee on hydrological research, The Hague, pp 109–145
Nienhuis PH, Smaal AC (1994a) The Oosterschelde estuary (The Netherlands): a case-study of a changing ecosystem. Kluwer Acad. Publ. p 597
Nienhuis PH, Smaal AC (1994b) The Oosterschelde (The Netherlands), an estuarine ecosystem under stress: discrimination between the effects of human-induced and natural stress. In: Dyer KR, Orth RJ (eds) Changes in fluxes in estuaries. Olsen and Olsen, Denmark, pp 109–120
Saeijs HLF (1982) Changing estuaries, a review and new strategy for management and design in coastal engineering. RWS communications 32: 414
Schekkerman H, Meininger PL, Meire PM (1994) Changes in the waterbird populations of the Oosterschelde (SW Netherlands) as a result of a coastal engineering project. Hydrobiologia 282/283: 509–524
Scholten H, Klepper O, Nienhuis PH, Knoester M (1990) Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands): a self sustaining ecosystem? Hydrobiologia 195: 201–215
Scholten H, Van der Tol MWM (1994) SMOES: a simulation model for the Oosterschelde ecosystem. Part II: calibration and validation. Hydrobiologia 282/283: 453–474
Smaal AC, Nienhuis PN (1992) The eastern Scheldt (The Netherlands), from an estuary to a tidal bay: a review of responses at the ecosystem level. Neth J Sea Res 30: 161–173
Smies M, Huiskes A (1981) Holland’s eastern Scheldt estuary barrier scheme: some ecological considerations. Ambio 10: 158–165
van Stralen MR, Dijkema RD (1994) Mussel culture in a changing environment: the effects of a coastal engineering project on mussel culture in the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands). Hydrobiologia 282/283: 359–380
van Westen CJ, Colijn CJ (1994) Policy planning in the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands). Hydrobiologia 283/283: 563–574
Watson I, Finkle CW (1990) State of the art in storm-surge protection: The Netherlands Delta project. J Coastal Res 6: 739–764
Wetsteyn LPJM, Kromkamp JC (1994) Turbidity, nutrients and phytoplankton primary production in the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands) before, during and after the construction of a storm-surge barrier. Hydrobiologia 282/283: 61–78
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1999 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Smaal, A.C., van der Hoek, A. (1999). Managing the Ecology and Economy of Modified Estuaries: The Delta Project in The Netherlands. In: Vollmer, M., Grann, H. (eds) Large-Scale Constructions in Coastal Environments. Environmental Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59928-6_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59928-6_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-64184-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-59928-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive