Goal of the monitoring program

The goal of the research is to determine whether the development of the tidal area at Perkpolder is contributing to the Natura 2000 conservation goals for the Western Scheldt and Saeftinghe (Ontwerpbeheerplan, 2015). Added to that the newly created natural area serves as a compensation measure for the second extension of the waterway to the Port of Antwerp (NCW-eindrapportage, 2008). Rijkswaterstaat is asked to demonstrate that the area is contributing to the development of a low-dynamic tidal environment. A third objective is the training and education of young delta-professionals. The complete list of goals of this project are:

Determine which biotopes will develop in the Perkpolder tidal basin, and to which extent these biotopes will contribute to the agreed environment-related goals for the Scheldt estuary, as well as the conservation goals for Natura 2000;
Knowledge development in relation to water safety management (“waterveiligheidsbeheer”), such as the development of the inlet and stability of the foreshore;
Knowledge development concerning the effectivity of the seepage discharge installation in order to protect the fresh-water resources for agricultural usage;
The development of knowledge about the biotic and abiotic factors and their relations in the first years of transition from a fresh-water agricultural area to a salt-water tidal area. This knowledge will help to shape the design of future tidal restoration projects;
Training of young professionals by improving the knowledge of lecture-researchers to be supported by state-of-the-art case studies;

Referenties

Natuurcompensatieprogramma Westerschelde, eindrapportage 1998-2008, Anon., 2008.

Goal of the monitoring program

Zie ook