Biomass Production in PioneerSpartina anglicaPatches: Evidence for the Importance of Seston Particle Deposition

Salt marsh formation can be initiated by the colonization of bare tidal flats by pioneer halophytes such asSpartina anglica. In the present study, growth ofS. anglicain the edge and centre zones of pioneer patches colonizing a tidal flat in a marine bay in the south-west Netherlands was investigated. Average biomass and shoot length was significantly lower in centre zones than in edge zones of the patches. Multiple linear regression showed that 84% of the variance in aboveground biomass in the centre zones could be explained by sediment phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations. No such relationship existed in the edge zone. This suggests that biomass production in the centre zones of the patches is nutrient limited, but that factors other than sediment nitrogen and phosphorus content determine growth ofSpartinain the edge zones.The sediment nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the centre zones of the patches were significantly related with sediment carbon concentrations, indicating that the pool of particle-bound nutrients in the sediment to an important extent is associated with organic particles. Determination of stable carbon isotope signatures of the sedimentary organic matter showed that an increasing carbon content of the sediment in the centre zone of the patches (and a rise in plant biomass) coincides with a higher contribution of non-Spartinaderived carbon to the sedimentary organic matter pool. Sustained biomass production in the centre zones of the patches, thus, probably depends on deposition of allochthonous organic particles and the nutrient inputs inherent in this process. Due to the construction of large-scale hydro-engineering works, however, conditions for deposition of waterborne particles are currently unfavourable. The consequences of reduced carbon and nutrient inputs into the patches will be particularly in the (older) centre zones, where the nutrient pools in non-refractory organic matter have been drained in the years of previous growth. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that the canopy-enhanced sedimentation for whichSpartinais well- known, via positive feed-back effects on plant growth can be crucial for plant vitality, and, hence, for successful colonization of unvegetated areas.     

Secularization in the Netherlands in its historical and geographical dimensions

The Netherlands is one of the most secularized countries in the western world. The aim of this paper is to put the secularization process in both historical and geographical perspective. As a mass process secularization started in the last quarter of the nineteenth century and accelerated from the sixties of this century onwards. The first concentrations of non-denominationalism could be found in the (Protestant) countryside of Friesland and Groningen as a consequence of profound social cleavages. Then, the big cities in the west took part in the process and more recently even the Catholic areas were affected due to the cultural revolution of the sixties and early seventies. Two counterforces were analysed: a religious revival within the Protestant community and the increasing proportion of Muslims and Hindus as a consequence of immigration and high fertility levels. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Long-term changes in salt marsh extent affected by channel deepening in a modified estuary

The aim of this study is to quantify the long-term (54 years) rates of marsh extension and retreat at two sites in the Westerschelde Estuary, SW Netherlands. Nine sets of aerial photographs were obtained for each of the two salt marsh sites, Zuidgors and Waarde, taken at various times between 1944 and 1998. The seaward edges of the marshes were digitised from rectified images after the photographs had been scanned and georegistered to the Dutch National Grid. Comparison of the extents of the marshes at these nine time points revealed that the areas of both marshes had fluctuated during these 54 years with periods of both extension and retreat of the seaward marsh edges. These periods of extension and retreat appeared to be approximately synchronised until the 1990s, with mean changes in position of marsh front ranging from −7.92 to 6.04 m a⁻¹.The rate of landward retreat and seaward extension of the marsh front is shown to be related to an increase in the tidal prism brought about by dredging operations to maintain or increase the depth of the main navigable channel of the estuary. The consequent greater frequency with which the high tides reach the edge of the fringing marshes increases the risk of erosion. Strong westerly winds may also be a factor in increasing erosion. No relationship between the volume of shipping traffic using the estuary and marsh erosion was found.     

Geo-mechanical and rheological modelling of upper crustal faults and their near-surface expression in the Netherlands

The pattern of fault reactivation, basin deformation and concentration of seismicity along the main trans-Netherlands fault zone, located NW–SE across the centre of the Netherlands, indicates that this zone is a major zone of weakness. Gravity modelling reveals after back-stripping of the sedimentary succession a distinctive continuous positive anomaly that can be explained by lithospheric sources. This zone of weakness is therefore likely to have a major influence on the tectonic processes currently active in the Netherlands region. We give a review of the tectonic history of the Netherlands and then present the results of a quantitative study of the reactivation of basin boundary faults and the influence on the surrounding basin. Well-data, balanced and back-stripped cross-sections are used to constrain the lithosphere rheology. The lithosphere rheology modelling results show a weak coupling between upper crustal deformation and the subcrustal lithosphere. A finite element modelling approach focussing on the upper crust is carried out in which the basin boundary faults are assigned various dips. The modelling results indicate that, for continuous reactivation of basin boundary faults, the presence of both a pre-existing weakness and a reduced friction angle is required. The latter implies that large displacements accommodated by primary faults cannot be directly attributed to the relative weakness of these faults compared to the secondary faults, which is in close accordance with inferences from trenching. A reduced friction angle has a significant effect on lithospheric strength and appears to be the major controlling factor in the reactivation of basin boundary faults.     

Preservation of a heavily bored belemnite rostrum from the upper Maastrichtian of north-east Belgium

The robust calcite rostra (or guards) of belemnites were attractive substrates for some boring organisms in the Mesozoic. The rostra of belemnitellid coleoids are common at certain levels within the Gulpen and Maastricht formations of the extended type area of the Maastrichtian Stage (Upper Cretaceous) in the south-east Netherlands and north-east Belgium. A range of episkeletozoans have been reported from these substrates hitherto. A new specimen preserved as a natural mould in flint from the province of Liège, north-east Belgium, is distinctive, preserving a dense three-dimensional infestation of long, slender, unbranched and unsculptured borings of constant diameter, Trypanites? isp. These may be the spoor of polychaetes. Variations in diameter between borings suggests that the traces in this specimen may represent four separate infestations.     

Patterns in groundwater chemistry resulting from groundwater flow

 Groundwater flow influences hydrochemical patterns because flow reduces mixing by diffusion, carries the chemical imprints of biological and anthropogenic changes in the recharge area, and leaches the aquifer system. Global patterns are mainly dictated by differences in the flux of meteoric water passing through the subsoil. Within individual hydrosomes (water bodies with a specific origin), the following prograde evolution lines (facies sequence) normally develop in the direction of groundwater flow: from strong to no fluctuations in water quality, from polluted to unpolluted, from acidic to basic, from oxic to anoxic–methanogenic, from no to significant base exchange, and from fresh to brackish. This is demonstrated for fresh coastal-dune groundwater in the Netherlands. In this hydrosome, the leaching of calcium carbonate as much as 15 m and of adsorbed marine cations (Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺) as much as 2500 m in the flow direction is shown to correspond with about 5000 yr of flushing since the beach barrier with dunes developed. Recharge focus areas in the dunes are evidenced by groundwater displaying a lower prograde quality evolution than the surrounding dune groundwater. Artificially recharged Rhine River water in the dunes provides distinct hydrochemical patterns, which display groundwater flow, mixing, and groundwater ages. Received, May 1998 · Revised, August 1998 · Accepted, October 1998     

Eco-hydrology: Groundwater flow and site factors in plant ecology

 In plant ecology, site is a central concept. A site is the place where a plant species or plant community grows, and the site provides the set of conditions in which it lives. Within an initially homogeneous parent material, gravity-driven groundwater flow influences the site conditions through the spatial distribution of nutrients and other relevant chemical agents. Especially upward seepage may produce and maintain site conditions that are essential for various relatively rare plant species and communities. Increased attention to upward seepage among ecologists has resulted in cooperation with hydrologists and the emergence of a discipline of its own – eco-hydrology – on the boundary of two scientific fields, linked by the site concept. In the Netherlands, a simple classification of water types, based on the groundwater's subsurface history, was applied for compiling a nationwide geographical database on ecologically relevant upward seepage. Correspondence analyses of this database with data on plant-species occurrence demonstrate that in poor Pleistocene sandy soils upward seepage explains the occurrence of some species and communities quite well, whereas in fluvial plains and polder areas with richer clay soils the influence of seepage is blurred by the importance of soil characteristics. It is concluded, therefore, that plant species may be used as seepage indicators in rapid assessments and surveys, but that constant awareness of the limitations is required. Received, July 1998 · Revised, September 1998 · Accepted, October 1998     

荷兰海岸带综合治理

叙述了荷兰海岸带治理的历史和现状；重点介绍了荷兰传统的海岸带治理和“三角洲工程”、海岸带动态保护和海岸带综合治理的基本经验。     

Modelling floodplain sedimentation using particle tracking

Both climate change and river rehabilitation projects induce changes in floodplain sedimentation. Notably along the lower River Rhine, the sediment deposition patterns and rates are subject to change. To assess the magnitude of these changes, we developed the MoCSED model, a floodplain sedimentation model within a geographical information system for the lower Rhine River. We based MoCSED on the ‘method of characteristics’ (MoC), a particle tracking method that minimizes numerical dispersion. We implemented the MoCSED model in the PCRaster dynamic modelling language. The model input comprises initial suspended sediment concentrations, water levels, flow velocities, and longitudinal and transverse dispersivities. We used a combination of the Krone and Chen concepts to calculate the subsequent sedimentation (SED routine). We compared the model results with sediment trap data for the Bemmel floodplain along the Dutch Waal River during the 2003 inundation. This comparison showed that MoCSED was able to simulate the pattern of sediment deposition. In addition, the model proved to be an improvement in comparison with a conventional raster‐based floodplain sedimentation model for the lower River Rhine. In future, MoCSED may serve well to study the impact of a changing discharge regime due to climate change and floodplain rehabilitation plans on deposition of sediments. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Climate change impacts on pricing long-term flood insurance: A comprehensive study for the Netherlands

Recently long-term flood insurance contracts with a duration of 5, 10 or 15 years have been proposed as a solution for covering flood risk and mitigating increasing flood losses. Establishing a long-term relation between the policyholder and the insurer can provide better incentives to reduce risk through undertaking damage mitigation measures. However, the uncertainty about the development of future flood risk in the face of climate and socio-economic change may complicate insurers’ rate-setting of long-term contracts. This issue has been examined in this study by estimating the effects of these changes on flood risk and pricing flood insurance premiums of short- and long-term flood insurance contracts in all (53) dike-ring areas in the Netherlands. A broad range of simulations with hydrological and flood damage models are used to estimate the future development of flood risk and premiums. In addition, the long-term development of insurance funds is estimated with a spatial “Climate Risk Insurance Model (CRIM)” for a private insurance arrangement and for a ‘three-layered’ public-private insurance program. The estimation of flood insurance premiums of long-term insurance contracts reveals fundamental problems. One is that there is an incentive for either the consumer or the insurer to prefer short-term rather than long-term contracts in the face of climate-related uncertainty. Therefore, it seems advisable to examine the introduction of one-year flood insurance contracts in the Netherlands, at least until the large uncertainties with climate and socio-economic change on flood risk have been resolved. The estimations performed with the Climate Risk Insurance Model indicate that a private insurance fund could have difficulties with building up enough financial reserves to pay for flood damage, while the layered public-private insurance scheme is more robust.