WadSED: Wadden Sea and Estuaries: system Dynamics and sediment management under climate change
Dredging costs for the nationally important Wadden Sea and Western Scheldt nautical channels are escalating. At the same time, biodiversity in such globally important wetlands is declining. Tidal flats and coastal marshes protect dikes against storms, but they must be able to grow fast enough. Sediment is the key: where and when will there be sufficient sediment, or a surplus or a deficit?
WadSED will take advantage of similarities between the Wadden Sea and Western Scheldt to develop new tools and come up with an innovative approach for future proofed sediment management and policy – protecting our coasts from rising sea levels, a decline in biodiversity and escalating dredging costs.
NWO Perspectief
Perspectief is a programme of the Dutch Research Council (NWO), financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK). This year’s budget amounts to 27 million euros, of which 23 million has been contributed by EZK and 4 million by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. A total of 115 companies, government bodies, and societal organisations are involved, contributing an additional 12 million euros. Over the upcoming years, the total budget supports the research of 106 scientists.
Programme leader
Prof. dr. Maarten G. Kleinhans (Utrecht University)
Participating knowledge institutes
Deltares, Eindhoven University of Technology, TU Delft, University of Groningen, Utrecht University, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, Wageningen University & Research
Companies
Arcadis, Boskalis, Frisia, Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM), Royal Haskoning-DHV (RHDHV), Waterproof, Witteveen+Bos
Other social partners
Coalitie Wadden Natuurlijk, Delta Programma Wadden, Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, Rijkswaterstaat, Staatsbosbeheer, Waterschap Hunze en Aa’s, Waterschap Noorderzijlvest, Wetterskip Fryslân
