Ac uatic ecological research
U to now studies have generally been limited
to aking inventories of the Oosterschelde.
Tf ase inventories indicated that the
0 sterschelde is an area of exceptional
b logical abundance. However, in order to be
a. .e to evaluate the situation after 1985,
p ogress-studies must be made whereby
si ecial attention is given to the influence of the
fl ctuations in salinity on diversity, the progress-
p ttern of the food-chains in terms of production,
c< nsumption and mineralisation and transport
o organic matter. To carry outthese studies,
th ore is much collaboration with the section
H drology; and, outside the Service with the
D Ita Institute for Hydrological Research.
T e management of the Oosterschelde barrier
T e ecological section has contributed highly to
tf a scheme for manoeuvring the Oosterschelde
b rrier after its completion. The background of
tf s input consists of studies based on to-day's
s: nation, the situation in 1985 and the
anticipated effects on the eco-system when the
b rrier is in operation.
T e studies of the section Ecology are
e pecially focused on the effects the closure of
th a barrier will have on the organisms living in
th a tidal zone, on the geomorphology of that
zc ne, in particular on the edges of the salt
rr 3rches. Stagnant periods of overtwelve hours
ir conjuction with a water-level below A.O.D.
2.50 m. are anticipated to be detrimental to
the natural surroundings.
Means to control the quality of the water
The care given to the quality of the water is, to a
great extent, due to the legal obligations
imposed by the Government. This article mainly
describes the technical means used for the
control of the quality and the research
programme used to gather the necessary
background information.
The Delta Plan - a school for the handling of
environmental and organisational problems
After a decade of collaboration between
hydrological engineers and ecologists, an
evaluation can be made. Collaboration, if there
is to be any, should start from the onset of the
work to achieve an integral approach of the
work. It has proved to be desirable that
hydraulic engineers and ecologists operate
together within one department. This improves
the chances of acceptance of their work in the
outside world. And of course, it is essential that
the actions of the ecologists must be based on
their objective knowledge and not on group
interests.
P nning and management of the
A/ irkiezaatsmeer
T e area behind the Oesterdam eastward of the
S heldt-Rhine connection, will be separately
e ibanked and consequently be turned into a
fr ish water lake. The building of a dam on the
w stward side will already highly reduce the
tii al action. At a later date the tidal action will
cc mpletely disappear. The city of Bergen op
Zoom wishes to urbanize this area. Recreational
and conservational functionsforthis area are
also taken into consideration. The section
Ecology and Environment Planning is
endeavouring to find the most desirable
sc ution. For adequate water-control it could be
preferable to separate part of the Randmeer.
This partitioning may also serve to divert the
re eational load from the actual
M kiezaatsmeer.
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