Vegetation, river management and land use in the dutch rhine floodplains

Abstract

AbstractThe floodplains of the lower Rhine are situated in a densely populated area of the Netherlands. Although they are used intensively the floodplains still fulfill important ecological functions. The lower Rhine is the downstream sedimentation zone of the River Rhine and its floodplains are characterized by river‐transported vascular flora originating from southern and eastern Europe. Using multivariate methods data from previously published work and field data on grasslands and former river beds have been analysed to determine trends in ecological changes. The consequence of continued sedimentation and decreased erosion is an increased drying out of the floodplains. Excavation and recultivation of formerly excavated land does not reverse the losses in flora and vegetation. Statistically there is a negative relationship between the characteristic flora and recultivated land. The natural transversal river gradient also disappears, together with its characteristic ecological diversity. Aquatic environments in the floodplains have been changed completely since regulation work started in the 19th century. Most former river beds have disappeared due to silting up. Data on short‐term vegetation succession confirm the long term analysis of map data.