Hydro-ecological relations in the Delta Waters

Nature is pliable. Belattvely young and dyndc areas offer particuiar
scope for pasifive influence of natural. development. Such possibilities
must. however, be recognized. Reference was m&de earlier to the
creation 02 md flats and salt marshes through tbe control of
processes of sed3mentatiorn and erosion. An6ther poasibilitg might ile
in the hydrology of the areas within the dykes. The dyking in OX xh~d
flats and salt marshes 6as resulted in the loss of many saline areas.
At the same rime the consttuction of dykes strongly reduced the
potential for the ra-rgence of new saline aims. Uithont wishiw to
add new land to the list of "Eet Verdronken Land van ........." *l,
use could be made of the scmpe for prowting the estzblishnrent of new
saline areas within the &ykess, for example in poldera which are now
alraady margM for agriculture.
7 FODD ECOLOGY CONNECTIONS: BIDS
The Delta is an important "Filling statlon" for birds, and must reraain
so. In the context of nature coneervation and the wxse use of
wetlands, this is one of our mst important international
responsibilities hexe in the Delta.
Besides supervising khe changisg ecological parrnters, dealt with
atenaively earlier, mttnagement and policy should be geared to
regulate the changing use of such areas bg the general public as a
result of greater a~ce~sibility. Particular atteatien will have to be
gioen to resfric'tisg the disrurbanee caused by recreatirmal
actiulties. Other, relaced points will however eIso require conside-
raeiaq, such as llntiting food competition resulting from fiaing.
On the other haus, public support fm certain rwirsures will increiwe
if people can see for th-ekes haw valuable such areas are.
*) "tbe drowned Land of . . . . . . . . . . ."