IMMERSE WP3.1. Summary of status of current pressures and trends, and analysis of current measures effectiveness
The (IMMERSE) Implementing Measures for Sustainable Estuaries project focuses on international cooperation to address the challenges and threats faced by the estuaries. More specifically, a three step approach is used, to address the challenges. First, the different pressures are investigated and potential solutions are explored. Subsequently, the solutions are assessed, tested, and recommandations are provided. Finally, the preparations for the implementation of the measures are undertaken , if possible.
However, not all individual measures will go through all three development steps. First of all, because measure development and implementation is a long-term process, so the project focuses more on improving the measures in the specific phase they are in and advancing them to the next phase. Therefore, measures with existing technical designs will be supported by pilot testing, while an already fully-assessed measure will be supported in its implementation. Secondly, some partners are not in the legal position to implement certain (larger management) measures. The IMMERSE project consist out of 7 work packages:
• WP1. Project management
• WP2. Communication activities
• WP3. Measures: Defining pressures and solutions
• WP4. Measures: Assessments, tests and pilots
• WP5. Measures: Preparing for implementation
• WP6. Horizontal: Stakeholder integration
• WP7. Horizontal: Transnationality
This report is part of the different actions foreseen in Work Package 3. ‘Measures: Defining pressures and solutions and presents the results of activity 3.1 - Summary of status of current pressures and trends, and analysis of current measure effectiveness’. The aim of the work package is to analyse the estuary pressures to improve collective understanding of anticipated pressures and trends, as well as evaluate existing measure effectiveness. Specifically, measures will be evaluated for their delivery of expected benefits, cost-efficiency and transferability - including similarities among measures to address common problems. Based on the results from this activity, partners will work on designing solutions for their estuaries. Partners already have an indication of themes that require solutions e.g. using dredged material for flood risk management. The goal of this activity is to form the foundation for others to tackle the issues in other projects or in their strategies or processes. However, it should be kept in mind that not all common trends and pressures identified can be addressed during the project. For activity 3.1, national and regional organizations relevant for estuary management are the key target group. Sometimes these are the partners themselves, sometimes project supporters. Surveys and interviews will primarily involve the target groups in these activities. This report presents the results of this task. It consists of 2 major topics:
• Overview of existing and anticipated/future pressures and trends, based on EU projects and current research.
• Analysis of existing measures’ ability to deliver identified benefits In order to limit the scope of the present work package, it was chosen to only consider a select number of pressures, related to the works of the TIDE project[2–7]:
• To achieve and conserve good water and sediment quality
• To develop strategies for the management of morphology, sediments and dredging works in relation to the good functioning of the ecosystem
• To create sufficient intertidal habitat and fresh water marshes
• To control risks of flooding and climate change
The summary report was based on the information made available by the project partners, and divided into three categories, each of them comprising several subcategories.
• Biology/ecology
– Development and/or protection of specific habitats
– Development and/or protection of specific species
– Development of natural gradients and processes, transition and connection
– Prevention of introduction of or to fight invasive species
• Hydrology/morphology
– Reduction of tidal energy, tidal range, tidal asymmetry and tidal pumping effects
Document links
Uitgever
Departement Mobiliteit en Openbare Werken. Waterbouwkundig Laboratorium
Publicatiedatum
september 2022
Reeks
FHR reports 19_005_1
Publicatietype
rapport
Taal
en