Hydro-ecological relations in the Delta Waters

ECOLOGICAL DEVELOWdENT OF SALT MAKSHES PrND SO-
SOUTB-WEST NETBBUANDS
TIDa PLUS IN TBE
A.M.M.
van Eaperen
Both in the remaining and in the embanked estudries of tfie South-West
Netherlands there are good possibilities for conservation and
development of (semi-)terrestrial ecosystems. In the Oosterschelde and
she Westerschelde canservation of the estuarine salt marshes has
highmc priority. They are characterized by cyclic dynamic processes
that largely depend on the tidalwater system.
On fewer cldal flats and salt marshes that are no loager inuadated
em$zitasis Lies on the developmeat of new ecasyeteas. Already in the
first years after ernbhnt rare and threatened bird and plant species
colonized the new habitats. Environment was, hopever, dominated by
nan-cyclic adapcative processes (e.g. desalihation, pkiysical and
chemical ripening af the soil, etc.) causFng a xag14 change of flora
and fauna. Probably it will take mare than a Hmdred years before the
new ecosystems will be stabilized.
kkmgemcnt of water and land is of great importance for the type of
nature tbat will result ultimately. When making a olanagemant plan it is
important to get a go~d idea of the abiotic potentialities of the
diftexent habitats. Tagether with the valae of the diffexent types of
nature for namre conservation, it is the main eriterion to come to the
defisian what type of nature should be developed on the new land.