Disclaimer:
The authors are solely responsible for the content of this report. Material included herein does not represent the opinion of the European Community, and the European Community is not responsible for any use that might be made of it.
Management issues
Here a choice of possible questions or challenges of estuarine management is listed. Each of these is linked to one or more tools and to a section in one or more reports giving advice or explanation related to a specific management issue. Use the filter function to target your field of interest.
Filter management issues:
Estuary functioning (ecology, habitats, ecosystem services)
- How can we avoid oxygen deficiency situations?
Oxygen deficiency (<5mg/l) undermines ecological functioning and needs to be avoided at all times. Estuarine management depends on the origin of this management issue.
Related links:
An interestuarine comparison for ecology in TIDE (Report) Modelling the oxygen budget of the Elbe-Estuary. (Report) PDF - How do TIDE estuaries function as a filter for nutrients?
The sink and source functions for nutrients define together with oxygen dynamics the self-regulating capacity for water quality in estuaries.
Related links:
An interestuarine comparison for ecology in TIDE (Report) - How does habitat management affect the supply of ecosystem services?
All habitats supply services in different ways and interacting.
Related links:
Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Interestuarine comparison: Managed Realignment Measures (Report) PDF - How does the societal demand for ecosystem services vary along the estuary gradient?
The demand was surveyed along the salinity gradient.
Related links:
Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices (Report) - What are the important factors controlling ecosystem functioning?
Important variables define estuary specific functioning, and hence ecosystem services that can be provided.
Related links:
An interestuarine comparison for ecology in TIDE (Report) - What environmental variables are most important in determining minimizing or basic compensatory requirements for waterbirds?
- What is important in establishing a zonation for estuaries?
For the comparison of different estuaries a zonation approach based on the Venice System is introduced which is used in different studies.
Related links:
Zonation of the TIDE estuaries (Report) An interestuarine comparison for ecology in TIDE (Report) Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Determinants of bird habitat use in TIDE estuaries (Report) - What natural and human processes resulted in changes to the development and distribution of habitats within TIDE estuaries?
- Which significant human impacts (e.g. realignment, deepening) occurred in TIDE estuaries during the last 100 years?
- Which variables limit estuarine primary production?
Primary production can be considered as the basis of provisioning ecosystem services.
Related links:
An interestuarine comparison for ecology in TIDE (Report)
Sediment management and hydrogeomorphology
- How and by which management measures can tidal amplification be reduced?
Possible answers and approaches as well as related (research) topics can be found in several reports.
Related links:
Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Sand balance approach (Report) PDF Comparison of Hydrodynamics and Salinity of TIDE Estuaries (Report) PDF - How can residence times (water/particle) be calculated?
A method is described in the report below.
Related links:
Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) - How can sediment transport be managed?
This topic is approached in several different reports, examples are presented and back ground information is delivered.
Related links:
Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) Pilot project „Evaluation of the sediment trap near Wedel“ (Report) PDF Sediment relocation to shallow water near Walsoorden sandbar (Report) PDF Morphological management of estuaries (Report) PDF - What are the limiting factors of sediment management in the TIDE estuaries regarding hydrogeomorphology?
The importance of /the relationship between different parameters which influence sediment management is addressed in the following reports.
Related links:
Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) - What factors determine the distribution of suspended sediments in an estuary?
Answers and scientific background information can be found in several reports.
Related links:
Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Sand balance approach (Report) PDF Comparison of Hydrodynamics and Salinity of TIDE Estuaries (Report) PDF - What is the impact of deep subtidal habitat dimension on tidal amplification?
This topic is approached in various reports.
Related links:
Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) Sand balance approach (Report) PDF Comparison of Hydrodynamics and Salinity of TIDE Estuaries (Report) PDF - What is the importance of sediment management for integrated estuarine management?
This topic is approached in three different reports:
Related links:
Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) Morphological management of estuaries (Report) PDF Sediment relocation to shallow water near Walsoorden sandbar (Report) PDF - What is ´morphological´ management and why do we need it?
This topic is approached in two different reports:
Related links:
Sediment relocation to shallow water near Walsoorden sandbar (Report) PDF Morphological management of estuaries (Report) PDF - Which sediment management strategies are implemented in the TIDE estuaries?
As different strategies are applied in the four TIDE estuaries, this topic is considered in different reports, in which examples are described, and related parameters are analysed.
Related links:
Pilot project „Evaluation of the sediment trap near Wedel“ (Report) PDF Sediment relocation to shallow water near Walsoorden sandbar (Report) PDF Morphological management of estuaries (Report) PDF The Potential Use of Dredged Material in the Humber Estuary (Report) PDF Comparison of Hydrodynamics and Salinity of TIDE Estuaries (Report) PDF Sand balance approach (Report) PDF - “Working with nature”: What are the opportunities for sediment management in estuaries?
This topic is addressed in different reports: underlying scientific information is provided, and experiences are described.
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Sediment relocation to shallow water near Walsoorden sandbar (Report) PDF Morphological management of estuaries (Report) PDF Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report)
Restoration and compensation (measures)
- How can management actions be prioritised based on conflict assessment outcomes?
An approach can be found in the report below.
- How can we prevent excessive degradation or loss of tidal marshes?
Related scientific information which can be used to tackle the problem can be found in the report below.
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) - What are the restoration opportunities for side branch systems and river banks (e.g. left side branch Weser)?
The topic is addressed in the report below.
Related links:
Anabranch revitalization lower Weser estuary (Report) PDF Secondary channels in European estuaries (Report) PDF Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) - What measures are successful for the dissipation of tidal energy?
Related scientific information and examples can be found in the reports below and in certain report of the management database (category hydrology/morphology).
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) Sand balance approach (Report) PDF Comparison of Hydrodynamics and Salinity of TIDE Estuaries (Report) PDF - What parameters should be used to define and evaluate measure targets?
Ecosystem services are essential as they allow to take into account external effects.
Related links:
An interestuarine comparison for ecology in TIDE (Report) Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Ecosystem services impact assessment of management measures (TIDEtool) - Which aspects do I have to take into account in order to make a measure a success?
Ecosystem services are essential as they allow to take into account external effects.
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Restoration of a tidal foreland in the Werderland region (Report) PDF - Which measures are suitable to achieve specific ecological targets?
This topic is approached in several different reports:
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Restoration of a tidal foreland in the Werderland region (Report) PDF Sediment relocation to shallow water near Walsoorden sandbar (Report) PDF Morphological management of estuaries (Report) PDF - Which measures are suitable to achieve specific morphological and hydrological targets?
This topic is approached in several different reports, scientific information is provided and examples are described.
Related links:
Interestuarine comparison: Hydro-geomorphology (Report) Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Sediment relocation to shallow water near Walsoorden sandbar (Report) PDF Anabranch revitalization lower Weser estuary (Report) PDF Secondary channels in European estuaries (Report) PDF - Which measures are suitable to identify, protect or develop valuable submerged habitats e.g. mussel beds and Sabellaria reefs?
Examples are provided in different reports.
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Hard Substrate Habitats Outer Weser Estuary (Report) PDF Sediment relocation to shallow water near Walsoorden sandbar (Report) PDF - Which measures are suitable to improve the physical characteristics and chemical water quality?
Examples are provided in different reports.
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) An interestuarine comparison for ecology in TIDE (Report) - Which measures are suitable to provide ecosystem services and benefits?
In section 8 the management measures report, services which lead to synergies are shown.
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) - Which synergistic effects and conflicts can be expected by planning and implementing a certain measure?
Optimizing for a certain ecosystem service impacts the supply of other services positively or negatively (section 7).
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Restoration of a tidal foreland in the Werderland region (Report) PDF Interestuarine comparison: Managed Realignment Measures (Report) PDF
Strategic planning (communication, management support, dealing with legislation)
- How can communication between public-administration-science be increased?
Whether authorities´ language is understood by the public is shown in The tidal Elbe - a people´s perspective. How the Ecosystem services approach can be of use is described in the second report.
Related links:
The tidal Elbe - a people's perspective (Report) - How can public acceptance for management actions be increased?
Reasons for lacking engagement are named in ´The tidal Elbe - a people´s perspective´. How the Ecosystem services approach can be of use is described in the second report.
Related links:
Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) The tidal Elbe - a people's perspective (Report) Development / implementation of a new communication concept (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) - How can public awareness regarding estuaries be evaluated (Elbe case)?
Local perception of the region is described in the study ´The tidal Elbe - a people´s perspective´.
Related links:
The tidal Elbe - a people's perspective (Report) - How can uncertainties be addressed when assessing projects in accordance with EU legislation?
The topic is addressed in the following reports:
Related links:
Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment - Evaluation of assessment tools and methods, Lot 1: Legal and procedural aspects of the EU Directives (Report) PDF - How can we assure accessibility to an inland estuarine port without affecting the habitats and safety against flooding?
- How can we assure accessibility to an inland estuarine port without affecting the habitats and safety against flooding?
Experiences are described in two Scheldt cases.
- How do I get most possible public acceptance for implementation of management targets?
The report Development/ implementation of a new communication concept provides an example of good practice.
- What environmental factors should be considered in the design of a compensation scheme for waterbirds and their habitats?
Have a look at the report below and the related tool.
Related links:
Determinants of bird habitat use in TIDE estuaries (Report) - What monitoring is required to support and assess management decisions?
This question is approached in the report “Moneos: Integrated Monitoring of the Scheldt Estuary”.
Related links:
Moneos: Integrated Monitoring of the Scheldt Estuary (Report) PDF Scheldt Estuary Evaluation Methodology (Report) PDF Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) - What tools and guidance are available to minimise and mitigate disturbance to waterbirds?
Have a look at the report below and the related tool.
Related links:
Determinants of bird habitat use in TIDE estuaries (Report) Waterbird Disturbance & Mitigation Toolkit (TIDEtool) - What tools are useful for involving local communities and stakeholders?
An answer will be given in the conclusions of the report Development of a new communication concept.
Related links:
Manual for valuation of ecosystem services in estuaries (Report) PDF Development / implementation of a new communication concept (Report) Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices (Report)
Integrated management (win-win, management plans, conflicts, users)
- How can management actions be prioritised based on conflict assessment outcomes?
- How can ecosystem services of estuaries be valued?
The value is defined in different ways.
Related links:
Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Manual for valuation of ecosystem services in estuaries (Report) PDF Interestuarine comparison: Managed Realignment Measures (Report) PDF - How can management actions be prioritised based on conflict assessment outcomes?
Have a look at the report below and the related tool.
- How can management targets and monitoring strategies be set for waterbirds in compensatory areas?
Have a look at the report below and the related tool.
Related links:
Determinants of bird habitat use in TIDE estuaries (Report) Scheldt Estuary Evaluation Methodology (Report) PDF - How can multiple estuarine resource use be managed in an integrated way within the existing planning system?
This topic is addressed in the report below.
Related links:
Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices (Report) - How can the Ecosystem Services Approach be used to support management decisions?
Ecosystem services are essential as they allow to take into account external effects.
Related links:
Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Manual for valuation of ecosystem services in estuaries (Report) PDF Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) - How do TIDE estuaries deal with management problems?
Examples are described in the following reports.
Related links:
Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) - What are the key areas of conflicts or synergies in TIDE estuaries?
The reports below describe the areas of conflicts and how optimizing for a certain ecosystem service impacts the supply of other services positively or negatively.
Related links:
Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices (Report) Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) - What are the relative strengths and weaknesses of different TIDE management plans and actions?
This topic is addressed in the report below.
Related links:
Legislative Drivers & Sectoral Plan Review of TIDE Estuaries (Report) - What is a good example for a win win situation between maintaining tidal habitats, port accessibility and coastal protection?
This topic is approached in three different reports:
Related links:
Restoration of a tidal foreland in the Werderland region (Report) PDF Sediment relocation to shallow water near Walsoorden sandbar (Report) PDF Morphological management of estuaries (Report) PDF Manual for valuation of ecosystem services in estuaries (Report) PDF - What tool is available to help manage multiple users of a resource in an integrated way (i.e. achieving more holistic management)?
This question is addressed in the report below. The outcomes of a SWOT analysis is provided.
Related links:
Legislative Drivers & Sectoral Plan Review of TIDE Estuaries (Report) Management measures analysis and comparison (Report) Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices (Report)