An overview is presented of Dutch wetlands and the perspectives and th
reats to which they are exposed. The general environmental problems of
The Netherlands are reflected in the problems with the preservation o
f wetlands: deterioriation of water quality is one of the main problem
s, directly followed by the desiccation of former wet areas. Also spli
tting up of larger coherent areas into smaller fragments due to infras
tructural works does not favour long time existence of complete (eco)s
ystems. The policy of the Dutch government and its different ministrie
s towards the protection of wetlands will be described. The policy to
protect the Wadden Sea and which is based on concepts of wise use and
sustainability will be presented as an example of Dutch integral envir
onmental policy for wetlands particularly. Our conclusion is that wetl
ands policy is tardy but successful.