The Decline and Restoration of a Coastal Lagoon (Lake Veere) in the Dutch Delta

Abstract

The former tidal inlet Lake Veere was turned into a stagnant brackish lake in 1961. Ever since, the system has shown a continuous degradation. The current study shows the monitoring results for the macrozoobenthic communities and the abiotic conditions for the period 1990-2008. This includes the first step to remediation, the restoration of the exchange between the tidal marine Eastern Scheldt and Lake Veere in 2004. A continuous decline in water clearance co-occurring with decreasing macrofauna densities and richness was observed till 2004. Water quality (e.g., secchi depth, nutrient levels, and oxygen conditions) improved significantly after the measure at a higher salinity level with less variation. But the macrofauna densities, biomass, and diversity did not improve yet. First indications of changes in the benthic communities by arrival of new and returning species are however observed and show that restoration at macrofauna level follows the improved abiotic conditions with a delay of several years.

Natural Recovery and Planned Intervention in Coastal Wetlands: Venice Lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy) as a Case Study

“…The need to combine restoration with the removal of the causes of degradation in order to favour the self-maintenance of natural processes is a major challenge [9]. Similar but more encouraging results were observed in Veerse Meer coastal lagoon (Netherlands, North Sea), where the measures consisted of opening up a connection between the enclosed brackish lagoon and the adjacent marine bay [10]. Rapid and constant improvement of water quality was seen, with reductions in nutrient concentrations and frequency of algal blooms and an increase in water transparency.…”

Resuspension of Sediment as a Possible environmental Management Method for Coastal Lagoons and Aquaculture Ponds

“…The solutions usually used for remediation or to counteract the effects of eutrophication are often expensive and have a heavy impact on the lagoon and surrounding environments. They include earth-moving operations, excavation of channels and openings to the sea, deviation of rivers and drainage channels in farmland [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Not only do they denature lagoon characteristics and alter the coastal belt, but their cost/benefit ratio may be high and their effects short-lasting.…”

Artificial Top Layer Sediment Resuspension To Counteract Chaetomorpha Linum (Muller) Kutz Blooms In A Eutrophic Lagoon. Three Years Full-Scale Experience

“…However, this kind of approach is not always feasible or suitable like in the case of densely populated areas. A an alternative, more emphasis has been placed on heavy interventions that modify basin hydrology through sea-communicating canals, underwater canals, changes in internal shoreline morphology, water control in the hydrographic basin, massive removal of sediments as the most important source of nutrient release after decades of nutritional supplements, or as water replacement through the pumping of sea water [10,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”