Wetland restoration ecology
Guided by ecological theory, we develop knowledge on novel restoration measure-effect relations. Examples include building new islands (Marker Wadden) in lake Marker and rehabilitating stream valley marshes. Furthermore, the effects of climate and global change are taken into account.
Examples of projects
- Flow through marshes: Geeserstroom, Oostrumsche beek, Broekbossen, Groote Molenbeek
- Building new islands: Building the Markerwadden, NMIJ Waterproeftuin I
- Space for the river: Analysis of river restoration projects
- Climate change: EU-EUROLIMPACS, EU-REFRESH, Natuurdoelen en klimaat, Klimaat en biodiversiteit, Klimaatveranderingen en KRW keuzen
- Hydrological restoration: Integraal Natuurherstel beekdalen
Highlights
Shading streams to mitigate the effects of climate change
Forested riparian zones appeared to be effective to mitigate the stream water temperature rise in small streams induced by climate change in North-western Europe. Furthermore, among other benefits, it helps to maintain or restore the habitat for coldstenothermic stream organisms. We study the effects of shaded-to-open and an open-to-shaded transitions on stream water temperature and on the biological communities inhabiting these streams.
Wetland construction
Fine sediments are abundant in urbanized deltas around the world and provide a potential source of building material for wetland construction. In the Netherlands, the MarkerWadden project has embarked aiming at creating a dynamic wetland system in lake Markermeer with gradients in topography, sediments, and rich benthic and wetland biodiversity. Fine sediments will be accumulated into atolls, which eventually develop into valuable ecosystems. We study the interplay of biological, chemical and physical interactions in lake Markermeer. The acquired scientific knowledge will be used to assess which ecosystem services will evolve and how such systems should be managed.
Recovery processes in rivers, lakes, estuarine and coastal waters
Knowledge of responses of aquatic assemblages to recovery processes that occur after measures have been taken to reduce major stressors is urgently required. In a systematic literature review we comparatively assessed recovery measures across the four major water categories. Despite the many studies only few provide evidence of how ecological knowledge might enhance restoration success. We plea to bridge the gap between ecological theory / knowledge and water management in practice.
Major publications
- Verdonschot P.F.M., Spears B.M., Feld C.K., Brucet S., Keizer-Vlek H., Borja A., Elliott M., Kernan M. & Johnson R.K. (2013) A comparative review of recovery processes in rivers, lakes, estuarine and coastal waters. Hydrobiologia 704: 453-474
- Verdonschot, R.C.M. & Verdonschot, P.F.M. 2014. Shading effects of free-floating plants on drainage-ditch invertebrates. Limnology, (2014) Aug, Vol.15(3), pp.225-235
- Feld C.K., Birk S., Bradley D.C., Hering D., Kail J., Marzin A., Melcher A., Nemitz D., Pedersen M.L., Pletterbauer F., Pont D., Verdonschot P.F.M. & Friberg N. (2011) From Natural to Degraded Rivers and Back Again: A Test of Restoration Ecology Theory and Practice. Advances in Ecological Research 44: 119-209
- Verdonschot P.F.M. (2009) Impact of Hydromorphology and Spatial Scale on Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Composition in Streams. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 5 (1): 97–109
- Battarbee, R.W., Kernan, M., Livingstone, D., Nickus, U., Verdonschot, P., Hering, D., Moss, B., Wright, R., Evans, C., Grimalt, J., Johnson, R., Maltby, E., Linstead, L., and Skeffington, R. (2008) Freshwater ecosystem responses to climate change: the Euro-limpacs project. In Quevauviller, P., Borchers, U., Thompson, C. and Simonart, T. (eds) The Water Framework Directive - Ecological and Chemical Status Monitoring. John Wiley & Sons pp 313-515 ISBN 978-0-470-51836-6
Publications, tools, presentations
- Verdonschot, P.F.M. (2014) Oratie Piet Verdonschot : Eenvoud in samenhang - Het verbinden van wetenschap en waterschap. Amsterdam : STOWA, Bijzonder hoogleraarschap UvA, 2014-02-28
- Verdonschot, R.C.M.; Puijenbroek, P.J.T.M. van; Verdonschot, P.F.M. (2013) Bomen en stroming verhogen ecologische kwaliteit. Herstel Hierdense beek . Landschap : tijdschrift voor Landschapsecologie en Milieukunde 30: 83-92
- Verdonschot, P. F. M., Besse, A. A., Brouwer, D. J., Eekhout, J. P. C., & Fraaije, R., (2012) Beekdalbreed Hermeanderen: bouwstenen voor de ‘leidraad voor innovatief beek-en beekdalherstel’. STOWA rapport 2012-36, Amersfoort
- Aggenbach C.J.S., Groenendijk D., Kemmers R.H., van Kleef H.H., Smolders A.J.P., Verberk W.C.E.P. & Verdonschot P.F.M. (2009) Preadvies Beekdallandschappen. Knelpunten, kennislacunes en kennisvragen voor natuurherstel in beekdalen. LNV Directie Kennis, Ede. Rapport DK nr. 2009/dk107-O. 241 pp.
- Verdonschot PFM (2012) River restoration and management. Guidance for practitioners. Brochure WISER. Water bodies in Europe: Integrative Systems to assess Ecological status and Recovery. FP7 Project WISER: 226273 (www.wiser.eu)