Managing the Ecology and Economy of Modified Estuaries: The Delta Project in The Netherlands

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).