FORMER TIDAL WETLANDS REVITALIZED - NATURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE DORDTSE-BIESBOSCH-RESERVE, THE NETHERLANDS

Geomorphological and ecological features belonging to the freshwater t idal landscape in the Rhine/Meuse estuary have been degrading over the past decades. In particular, the intertidal zone was affected due to diminishing of tides and serious bank erosion. To enhance the remainin g tidal water movement locally, a plan was proposed to create side cha nnels in the Dordtse Biesbosch, an area adjoining the Nieuwe Merwede r iverbranch. In this plan, which was effectuated in the course of 1992, a connection was made between the creeks and the river at both ends, creating small side channels. A monitoring programme was designed to t est if predicted developments actually take place, at what timescale, and to observe the impact of extreme events. It involves measurement o f sediment topography, water movement, vegetation, benthic meiofauna, fish, and water birds.