Hotspot Shallow waters and peat meadow areas

The Netherlands has many shallow water systems such as lakes and pools as well as numerous ditches and canals, characteristic of peat meadow areas. These shallow water systems form an environment type characteristic of a low lying delta, i.e. the Netherlands. Included in this belt of shallow waters are the Frisian lakes, the lakes of North West Overijssel (Beulaker, Belter Wijde and Weerribben), the Randmeren lakes, the Loosdrechtse lakes, the Reeuwijkse and Kager lakes and the Braasemer lake. Their unique scenic qualities make the peat meadow areas highly valued, both nationally and internationally.

The dilemma regarding the peat meadow region is that continuing drainage will maintain the peat meadow landscape but result ultimately in deterioration of the peat layer, whilst stopping drainage will produce the opposite effect. The fundamental problem in the peat meadow region is continued uneven soil subsidence, which results in increased vulnerability and cost inefficiency of the water system and means that functions are less and less in keeping with the changing subsurface. The result is growing friction and marginalisation in terms of the use of space. Climate change also means that spatial frictions become increasingly evident. Rising sea levels increase salinisation, water stress increases as a result of a lack of clean freshwater and an increase in evaporation during the summer, and the safety risks increase due to the lower water level.

The shallowest water systems have a function in terms of water storage, nature conservation, recreation, living and drinking water. An increasing amount of construction is taking place on the water and at the water’s edge, for example at the IJmeer and Gooimeer lakes. Water areas are also increasingly being introduced in urban areas. It would appear that the expected climate change will have an adverse effect in a number of essential areas on the quality and ecological status of water in the Netherlands. Climate change will probably result in an increase in two groups of organisms that are unfavourable to water management: blue-green algae and floating water plants. Water turbidity is also expected to increase, along with all the biological consequences this involves. Furthermore, climate change will have negative effects on the drinking water supply.

Objective
Develop knowledge regarding the effects of climate change and how to anticipate them as far as the quality and ecological status of shallow waters in the Netherlands are concerned and develop knowledge concerning intense and continued uneven soil subsidence in the peat meadow region, resulting in increased salinisation, increased water stress, intensified peat decomposition and increased nutrient leaching during heavy rain storms.

Particular areas of interest are:

• research into the effects of physical-chemical and microbiological processes related to re-wetting, land reclamation, water stress and peat decomposition
• research into the influence of the expected rise in temperature on lake ecosystems
• assessment of user scenarios for their implications for a range of user objectives

Projects and Publications

Watch the overview with all the Shallow waters and Peat meadow areas projects and publications.