Abstract
Concern about the effects of climate change have set in motion a search for flood protection measures to adapt coastlines to the foreseen accelerated sea level rise. In this context, the potential role of salt marshes to adapt the Wadden Sea’s flood defences was explored in the Netherlands Wadden Region Delta Programme. This paper provides an overview of the steps taken by the programme in developing a climate change adaptation strategy so that others might learn from its experiences. The second aim is to summarize the knowledge generated by the programme on the potential role of salt marshes as part of a climate change adaption strategy. Explorative modelling results indicate that Wadden Sea salt marshes affect wave heights, even under extreme conditions. Therefore, a salt-marsh zone in front of the Wadden Sea dikes that could keep pace with sea level rise may result in a reduced dike reinforcement task. A salt marsh potential map gives a rough impression of locations that are potentially interesting for salt marsh conservation and development, based on the current situation, on available information about abiotic conditions for salt marsh formation and the habitats present in the coastal zone. Besides elongated stretches were seminatural salt marshes are already present or developing, several stretches along the Dutch Wadden Sea coast have favourable abiotic conditions for salt marsh development. However, the prospects for integrating salt marshes into flood defences depend also on other aspects. Various nature conservation agreements are in effect with their associated obligations. Furthermore, the foreseen value of salt marsh development compared to traditional reinforcements, in terms of both costs and benefits, must be considered.
Highlights
1.1 BackgroundConcern about the effects of climate change (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007) has set in motion a search for flood protection measures to adapt coastlines to the foreseen accelerated sea level rise
The first is to provide an overview of the steps taken by the programme in developing a climate change adaptation strategy so that others might learn from its experiences
The second objective is to summarize for an international audience the knowledge generated by the programme on the potential role of salt marshes as part of a climate change adaptation strategy, since most of the studies remain in Dutch only
Summary
Concern about the effects of climate change (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007) has set in motion a search for flood protection measures to adapt coastlines to the foreseen accelerated sea level rise This certainly applies to the Netherlands, where the state’s Second Delta Committee has recommended increasing flood protection levels and development along with climate change and ecological processes (Deltacommissie 2008). In response to this advice, an integral policy programme, called the Delta Programme, was launched in 2010 with the objective of protecting the Netherlands from flooding and ensuring adequate supplies of freshwater for future generations (Delta Commissioner 2010). The second objective is to summarize for an international audience the knowledge generated by the programme on the potential role of salt marshes as part of a climate change adaptation strategy, since most of the studies remain in Dutch only
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have