Rijkswaterstaat

About: Rijkswaterstaat is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Sediment & Sediment transport. The organization has 707 authors who have published 773 publications receiving 19806 citations.

Soil-related sustainable development goals: Four concepts to make land degradation neutrality and restoration work

Abstract: In the effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to food, health, water, and climate, an increase in pressure on land is highly likely. To avoid further land degradation and promote land restoration, multifunctional use of land is needed within the boundaries of the soil-water system. In addition, awareness-raising, a change in stakeholders’ attitudes, and a change in economics are essential. The attainment of a balance between the economy, society, and the biosphere calls for a holistic approach. In this paper, we introduce four concepts that we consider to be conducive to realizing LDN in a more integrated way: systems thinking, connectivity, nature-based solutions, and regenerative economics. We illustrate the application of these concepts through three examples in agricultural settings. Systems thinking lies at the base of the three others, stressing feedback loops but also delayed responses. Their simultaneous use will result in more robust solutions, which are sustainable from an environmental, societal, and economic point of view. Solutions also need to take into account the level of scale (global, national, regional, local), stakeholders’ interests and culture, and the availability and boundaries of financial and natural capital. Furthermore, sustainable solutions need to embed short-term management in long-term landscape planning. In conclusion, paradigm shifts are needed. First, it is necessary to move from excessive exploitation in combination with environmental protection, to sustainable use and management of the soil-water system. To accomplish this, new business models in robust economic systems are needed based on environmental systems thinking; an approach that integrates environmental, social, and economic interests. Second, it is necessary to shift from a “system follows function” approach towards a “function follows system” one. Only by making the transition towards integrated solutions based on a socio-economical-ecological systems analysis, using concepts such as nature-based solutions, do we stand a chance to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030. To make these paradigm shifts, awareness-raising in relation to a different type of governance, economy and landscape and land-use planning and management is needed.

Using adaptation tipping points to prepare for climate change and sea level rise: a case study in the Netherlands

Abstract: Studies on the impact of climate change and sea level rise usually take climate scenarios as their starting point. To support long-term water management planning in the Netherlands, we carried out a study that started at the opposite end of the effect chain. In the study we refer to three aspects of water management, flood defense, drinking water supply, and protection of the Rotterdam Harbour. We examined whether, and for how long, current water management strategies will continue to be effective under different climate change scenarios. We did this by applying the concept of ‘adaptation tipping points’, and reached it if the magnitude of change is such that the current management strategy can no longer meet its objectives. Beyond the tipping points, an alternative adaptive strategy is needed. By applying this approach, the following basic questions of decision makers are answered: what are the first issues that we will face as a result of climate change and when can we expect this. The results show, for instance, that climate change and the rise in sea level are more likely to cause a threat to the fresh water supply in the west of the Netherlands than flooding. Expressing uncertainty in terms of the period that the existing strategy is effective (when will a critical point be reached) was found to be useful for the policy makers. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website

Wind- and tide-induced resuspension of sediment and microphytobenthos from tidal flats in the Ems estuary

Abstract: The resuspension of microphytobenthos (mainly benthic diatoms) and mud (<55-pm fraction) from tidal flats was studied in the Ems estuary (Netherlands/Germany), of which -50% is covered by intertidal areas. Mud and microphytobenthos are resuspended simultaneously from the tidal flats in the estuary. The concentrations of these parameters in the main channels of the estuary are strongly affected by erosion due to wind-induced waves and by settlement during calm weather conditions. The resuspension of mud can be described as a linear function of the “effective windspeed,” which is defined as the windspeed averaged over three high-water (6 h bracketing high water) periods preceding sampling. The resuspended fraction of microphytobenthos from the top 0.5-cm layer of sediment can also be described as a linear function of the effective windspeed. Our data indicate that for this estuary, the proper quantification of resuspension of mud and microphytobenthos requires consideration of relatively large areas.