The Oosterschelde Estuary (The Netherlands): a Case-Study of a Changing Ecosystem

604 Pages·1994·26.82 MB·English

by  P. H. Nienhuis, A. C. Smaal (auth.), A. C. Smaal (eds.)

The Oosterschelde Estuary (The Netherlands):
a Case-Study of a Changing Ecosystem
Developments in Hydrobiology 97
Series editor
H. J. Dumont
The Oosterschelde Estuary (The Netherlands):
a Case-Study of a Changing Ecosystem
Edited by
P. H. Nienhuis & A. C. Smaal
Reprinted from Hydrobiologia, vols 2821283 (1994)
Springer-Science+Business Media, B.V.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
The Oosterschelde estuary a case study of a chang1ng ecosystem 1
ed1ted by P.H. N1enhu1s & A.C. Smaal.
p. cm. -- <Developments 1n hydrob10logy . 97)
"Repr1nted from Hydrob1olog1a, vols. 282/283.'
Includes b1bl 10graphlcal references and Index.
ISBN 978-94-010-4512-4 ISBN 978-94-011-1174-4 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-94-011-1174-4
1. Estuarine ecology--Netherlands--Oosterschelde. 2. Coastal
eng1neer1ng--Env1ronmental aspects--Netherlands--Oosterschelde.
3. Deltaplan (Netherlands) 1. N1enhu1s, P. H. II. Smaal, A. C.
III. Series.
QH159.058 1994
574.5·26365·0949242--dc20 94-14882
Front cover photographs: The storm-surge barrier, a compromise solution for the Oosterschelde
estuary: Safety against storm-floods as well as nature conservation.
Photographs RIKZ, Middelburg and NIOO-CEMO, Yerseke.
Printed on acid-free paper
All Rights Reserved
© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
Originally published by Kluwer Academic Publishers
No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright owner.
v
Contents
Preface ................................................................................... Vlll
The Oosterschelde estuary, a case-study of a changing ecosystem: an introduction
by P.H. Nienhuis & A.c. Smaal ........................................................ .
THEME I: HYDRODYNAMIC AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE TIDAL SYSTEM
Introduction
by W.B.M. ten Brinke ................................................................. 15
Hydrodynamic characteristics of the Oosterschelde in recent decades
by l Vroon .......................................................................... 17
Changes in basin geomorphology after implementation of the Oosterschelde estuary project
by lP.M. Mulder & T. Louters ......................................................... 29
Fine sediments in the Oosterschelde tidal basin before and after partial closure
by W.B.M. ten Brinke, J. Dronkers & J.P.M. Mulder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
THEME II: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONING OF THE PELAGIC SYSTEM
Introduction
by C. Bakker ......................................................................... 57
Turbidity, nutrients and phytoplankton primary production in the Oosterschelde (The Netherlands) before,
during and after a large-scale coastal engineering project (1980-1990)
by L.P.J.M. Wetsteyn & J. Kromkamp ................................................... 61
A new trend in the development of the phytoplankton in the Oosterschelde (SW Netherlands) during and
after the construction of a storm-surge barrier
by C. Bakker, P.M.J. Herman & M. Vink . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Nutrient concentrations and planktonic diatom-flagellate relations in the Oosterschelde (SW Netherlands)
during and after the construction of a storm-surge barrier
by C. Bakker & M. Vink .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Zooplankton species composition in the Oosterschelde (SW Netherlands) before, during and after the
construction of a storm-surge barrier
by C. Bakker ......................................................................... 117
Zooplankton biomass in the Oosterschelde (SW Netherlands) before, during and after the construction of
a storm-surge barrier
by C. Bakker & P. van Rijswijk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Plankton size distributions and trophic relations before and after the construction of the storm-surge barrier
in the Oosterschelde estuary
by M.L.M. Tackx, P.M.J. Herman, P. van Rijswijk, M. Vink & C. Bakker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
VI
THEME III: THE STRUCTURE OF THE BENTHIC SYSTEM
Introduction
by P.M. Meire ........................................................................ 153
Spatial and temporal patterns of intertidal macrobenthic populations in the Oosterschelde estuary: are they
influenced by the construction of the storm-surge barrier?
by P.M. Meire, J. Seys, T. Buijs & J. Coosen ............................................. 157
Microphytobenthos in the Oosterschelde (The Netherlands), 1981-1990; consequences of a changed tidal
regime
by D.J. de Jong, P.H. Nienhuis & B.J. Kater ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Composition, distribution and biomass of the meiobenthos in the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands)
by N. Smol, K.A Willems, J.CR Govaere & AJ.J. Sandee ................................. 197
The effects of prolonged emersion and submersion by tidal manipulation on marine macrobenthos
by H. Hummel, A.W. Fortuin, RH. Bogaards, A. Meijboom & L. de Wolf. . .. . . . ..... . .. . . . .. 219
Effect of sedimentological and hydrodynamical changes in the intertidal areas of the Oosterschelde estuary
(SW Netherlands) on distribution, density and biomass of five common macro benthic species: Spio
martinensis (Mesnil), Hydrobia ulvae (Pennant), Arenicola marina (L.), Scoloplos armiger (Muller) and Bathy-
poreia sp.
by J.C Coosen, J. Seys, P.M. Meire & J.AM. Craeymeersch ................................ 235
Long-term changes (1979-89) in the intertidal macrozoobenthos of the Oosterschelde estuary: are patterns
in total density, biomass and diversity induced by the construction of the storm-surge barrier?
by J.J. Seys, P.M. Meire, J.C Coosen & J.AM. Craeymeersch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Changes in the sublittoral hard substrate communities in the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands),
caused by changes in the environmental parameters
by M.J. de Kluijver & RJ. Leewis ....................................................... 265
Tidal reduction and its effects on intertidal hard-substrate communities in the Oosterschelde estuary
by AJ.M. Meijer & H.W. Waardenburg .................................................. 281
THEME IV: ECOLOGY OF THE SALT MARSHES
Introduction
by J. de Leeuw ....................................................................... 299
Changes in area, geomorphology and sediment nature of salt marshes in the Oosterschelde estuary (SW
Netherlands) due to tidal changes
by D.J. de Jong, Z. de Jong & J.P.M. Mulder ............................................. 303
Consequences of a tidal reduction for the salt-marsh vegetation in the Oosterschelde (The Netherlands)
by D.J. de Jong & A.M. van der Pluijm .................................................. 317
The response of salt marsh vegetation to tidal reduction caused by the Oosterschelde storm-surge barrier
by J. de Leeuw, L.P. Apon, P.M.J. Herman, W. de Munck & W.G. Beeftink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
THEME V:
THE RESPONSE OF BENTHIC SUSPENSION FEEDERS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
Introduction
by A.C. Smaal ........................................................................ 355
Mussel culture in a changing environment: the effects of a coastal engineering project on mussel culture
(Mytilus edulis (L.)) in the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands)
by M.R van Stralen & RD. Dijkema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Variability in stock assessment of cockles (Cerastoderma edule L.) in the Oosterschelde (in 1980-1990), in
relation to environmental factors
by J.C Coosen, F. Twisk, M.W.M. van der Tol, RH.D. Lambeck, M.R van Stralen & P.M. Meire 381
vii
Biomass and standing stock on sublittoral hard substrates in the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands)
by RJ. Leewis, H.W. Waardenburg & M.W.M. van der Tol ................................. 397
The role of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis in the cycling of nutrients in the Oosterschelde estuary (The
Netherlands)
by T.C. Prins & A.C. Smaal ............................................................ 413
THEME VI: THE ANALYSIS OF A DYNAMIC SIMULATION MODEL FOR
THE OOSTERSCHELDE ECOSYSTEM
Introduction
by P.M.J. Herman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431
SMOES: a Simulation Model for the Oosterschelde EcoSystem. Part I: Description and uncertainty analysis
by O. Klepper, M.W.M. van der Tol, H. Scholten & P.M.J. Herman ......................... 437
SMOES: a Simulation Model for the Oosterschelde EcoSystem. Part II: Calibration and validation
by H. Scholten & M.W.M. van der Tol .................................................. 453
THEME VII: THE HIGHER TROPHIC LEVELS
Introduction
by J. Mees ........................................................................... 475
The mobile epifauna of the soft bottoms in the subtidal Oosterschelde estuary: structure, function and impact
of the storm-surge barrier
by K. Hostens & o. Hamerlynck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479
Changes in the fish fauna of the Oosterschelde estuary - a ten-year time series of fyke catches
by O. Hamerlynck & K. Hostens .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497
Changes in the waterbird populations of the Oosterschelde (SW Netherlands) as a result oflarge scale coastal
engineering works
by H. Schekkerman, P.L.M. Meininger & P.M. Meire ...................................... 509
Consumption of benthic invertebrates by waterbirds in the Oosterschelde estuary, SW Netherlands
by P.M. Meire, H. Schekkerman & P.L.M. Meininger ...................................... 525
The harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, in the Oosterschelde: decline and possibilities for recovery
by J. Mees & P.J.H. Reijnders .......................................................... 547
Historical population size of the harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, in the Delta area, SW Netherlands
by P.J.H. Reijnders .................................................................... 557
THEME VIII: THE OOSTERSCHELDE ESTUARY: AN EVALUATION OF CHANGES 561
Policy planning in the Oosterschelde estuary
by CJ. van Westen & c.J. Colijn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 563
The Oosterschelde estuary: an evaluation of changes at the ecosystem level induced by civil-engineering
works
by P.H. Nienhuis, A.c. Smaal & M. Knoester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575
General index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593
Hydrobiologia 282/283, 1994.
VllI P.H. Nienhuis & A.C. Smaal (eds), The Oosterschelde Estuary (The Netherlands).
Preface
The Oosterschelde project is technically and scientifically unique. The building of the storm-surge barrier,
together with the two secondary dams, represents an important breakthrough in marine civil engineering.
The project offered ample opportunities for integrated physical, chemical, geological and biological
research. Integration of the knowledge gained raised the entire project to the level of a case-study of a
changing estuarine ecosystem, and demonstrated the effects of human interference in a non-polluted
estuary. The main argument to build the storm-surge barrier was storm-flood protection, combined with
conservation of the outstanding values of landscape and nature, fisheries included. The estuary is
recognized as an international wetland, including sand- and mud-flats, feeding large numbers of migratory
waterfowl, and further comprising deep tidal gullies, artificial rocky shores, salt marshes and inland
brackish localities with specific aquatic plants and animals. The interest in storm-flood protection has
recently gained momentum, owing to the wide international discussion on the impact of sea-level rise on
society. Estuarine areas, the Oosterschelde included, are vulnerable to effects of sea-level rise.
In 1980 research groups of the Environmental Section of the Delta Department (former Tidal Waters
Division, now National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ) of the Ministry of
Transport, Public Works and Water Management and the Delta Institute for Hydrobiological Research
(now Netherlands Institute of Ecology - Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Ecology) decided to start an
ecosystem study, aiming at an analysis of the structure and functioning of the changing Oosterschelde
estuary, iIi perspective of the future management of the water body (Project BALANS, from 1980 to 1988;
Project EOS, from 1988 to 1991). The present volume of Hydrobi%gia comprises 35 research papers,
written by 56 authors, devoted to Oosterschelde estuary. The papers are mainly based on investigations
carried out during the period 1980-1991, sustained by older investigations and long-term reviews. The
core of the volume is extracted from the project EOS (1988-1991). The project meant a close cooperation
between 40 to 50 scientists, technical assistants and water managers of several State Services, Universities
and Private Agencies: National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ (former Tidal
Waters Division) and Directorate Zeeland, Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Manage-
ment; Netherlands Institute of Ecology - Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Ecology (former Delta
Institute), Ministry of Education and Science; Netherlands Fisheries Research Institute and Institute of
Forestry and Nature Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Fisheries; State
University of Utrecht; State University of Ghent (Belgium); Free University of Brussels (Belgium);
Institute of Nature Conservation, Belgium; Environmental Consultancy Agencies.
The initiative to publish a scientific justification of the Oosterschelde project originated in 1988. Kluwer
Academic Publishers adopted the idea with enthusiasm, and the subsequent cooperation was very good.
All papers were judged by international referees. Many people behind the scenes added substantially
to the project. Only A. Bolsius (Yerseke) will be mentioned here. He carried out the classical art-work
which enhances the uniformity in presentation of the book. Considering the size of the project and the
employment of a considerable number of cooperating scientists, an impressive document came into
existence. The papers contain useful information for both scientists and managers involved in comparable
projects, dealing with major environmental changes in estuaries.
PIET H. NIENHUIS
AAD C. SMAAL
IX
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Fig 1 Oosterschelde estuary 1S a dynarlllc system Its configuratIOn changed over h1stonc Urnes and 1t was only III the second
half of the 19th and III the 20th century that the outlllle of the estuary was fixed by ng1d seawalls and d1kes Th1S map was drawn
III 1809
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Fig 2 'De Ramp', the storm-flood dIsaster of February 1, 1953 The storm surge barner m the Oosterschelde estuary was the
final part of the Delta Project, conceIved as an answer to the contmuous nsk of floodmg
FIg 3 A Landsat satellIte Image of Oosterschelde estuary, made dUrIng the pre-barner penod North of Oosterschelde estuary
IS sItuated Grevelmgen lagoon, a non-tidal, enclosed former estuary, contammg extremely clear water (dark colour)