Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Quantification of water table dynamics as a reference for impact assessment of ecohydrological enhancement measures in a dune area in Belgium

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Quantification of water table dynamics is an essential part of eco-hydrological characterisation as they are a controlling factor for vegetation and groundwater-dependent ecosystems. This is often done using the concept of groundwater depth classes, which are defined based on mean high winter and mean low summer water levels. However, this concept does not consider inter-yearly variability of groundwater levels. Also, groundwater depth classes can depend strongly on local topography, which is specially the case in dune belts in coastal regions. In this paper, the relation between groundwater depth classes and the size of seasonal and inter-yearly variations is investigated in a dune region along the Belgian coast, which has the special hydrological and ecological feature of including a dune river. The spatial pattern of the seasonal fluctuations and inter-yearly variability here is much simpler than the heterogeneous distribution of groundwater depth classes. This may provide additional useful information in relation to the occurrence of vegetation and can be used in the context of nature development programmes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albers K, van der Hoek W, Hanhar K, Faasen T (2007) Handreiking monitoring natuurontwikkeling. Ideeënboek bij het opstellen van monitoringsplannen voor natuurontwikkeling. (Manual of monitoring in nature development. Book of ideas to draw up plans for monitoring of nature development) p 191

  • Alley WM (1984) On the treatment of evapotranspiration, soil moisture accounting, and aquifer recharge in monthly water balance models. Water Resour Res 20(8):1137–1149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baeteman C (1999) The holocene depositional history of the IJzer palaeovalley (western Belgian coastal plain) with reference to the factors controlling the formation of intercalated peat beds. Geol Belg 2:1–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Batelaan O, Witte JPM (2007) Ecohydrology, phreatophytes and groundwater dependent ecosystems. In: Ribeiro L, Chambel A, Melo MT (ed) Abstract in proceedings of XXXV IAH congress groundwater and ecosystems, Lisbon, Portugal, p 12

  • Bertrand G, Siergieiev D, Ala-Aho P, Rossi PM (2013) Environmental tracers and indicators bringing together groundwater, surface water and groundwater-dependent ecosystems: importance of scale in choosing relevant tools. Environ Earth Sci 72(3):813–827

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bierkens MFP, Hoogland R (2002) Actualisatie van de grondwaterdynamiek. Volledige herkartering of beperkte actualisatie? (Actualisaton of groundwater dynamics. Complete remapping or limited actualisation?) Alterra Wageningen, Alterra rapport 602

  • Champion PD, Reeves PN (2009) Factors causing dune ephemeral wetlands to be vulnerable to weed invasion. DOC Research & Development Series 310 Publishing Team

  • Eamus D, Froend R (2006) Groundwater-dependent ecosystems: the where, what and why of GDEs. Aust J Bot 54:91–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eamus D, Froend R, Loomes R, Hose G, Murray B (2006) A functional methodology for determining the groundwater regime needed to maintain the health of groundwater-dependent vegetation. Aust J Bot 54(2):97–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finke PA, Bierkens MFP, Brus DJ, van der Gaast JWJ, Hoogland T, Knotters M, de Vries N (2002) Klimaatrepresentatieve grondwaterdynamiek in Waterschap Land van Nassau (Climate respresentatieve groundwater dynamic in the district water board Land of Nassua). Alterra Wageningen, Alterra rapport 385

    Google Scholar 

  • Finke PA, Brus DJ, Bierkens MFP, Hoogland T, Knotters M, de Vries F (2004) Mapping groundwater dynamics using multiple sources of exhaustive high resolution data. Geoderma 123:23–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grootjans AP, Ernst WHO, Stuyfzand PJ (1998) European dune slacks: strong interactions of biology, pedogenesis and hydrology. Trends Ecol Evol 13–3:96–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamon WR (1961) Estimating potential evapotranspiration, proceedings of the American society of civil engineer. J Hydraul Div 87:107–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoogland T, Heuvellink GBM, Knotters M (2010) Mapping water-table depths over time to assess desiccation of groundwater-dependent ecosystems in the Netherlands. Wetlands 30:137–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jalink MH, Grijpstra J, Zuidhoff AC (2003) Hydro-ecologiche systeemtypen met natte schraallanden in Pleistoceen Nederland (Hydro-ecological system types with wet pebbly soils in the Pleistocene of the Netherlands). Expertisecentrum LNV, Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit. Ede. Rapport EC-LNV nr. 2003/225

  • Jansen PC, Knotters M, Brus DJ, van der Horst JBF (2003) Reconstructie van historische grondwaterstandskarakteristieken met grondwaterstanden gemeten in de periode 1952–1955 (Reconstruction of the historical groundwater karakteristics based on measured groundwater levels of the period 1952–1955). Alterra Wageningen, Alterra rapport 614

  • Jin XM, Guo RH, Zhang Q, Zhou YX, Zhang DR, Yang Z (2014) Response of vegetation pattern to different landform and water table depth in Hailiutu River basin, Northwestern China. Environ Earth Sci 71:4889–4898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim K-Y, Chon C-M, Park K-H (2007) A simple method for locating the fresh water–salt water interface using pressure data. Groundwater 45(6):723–728

  • Klijn F, Witte JPM (1999) Eco-hydrology: groundwater flow and site factors in plant ecology. Hydrogeol J 7:65–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knotters M, Bierkens MFP (1999) Hoe lang moet je de grondwaterstand meten om iets over de dynamiek te weten? (How long do we need to measure the groundwater level to know the dynamics?) Stromingen, 5–4: 5–12

  • Knotters M, Hoogland T, van de Gaast J (2003) Nieuwe informatie over de grondwaterdynamiek: wensen en mogelijkheden (New information of groundwater dynamics: desires and possibilities). Alterra Wageningen, Alterra-rapport 548

  • Knotters M, van der Horst JBF, Hoogland T (2005) De grondwaterdynamiek in het waterschap Velt en Vecht (Groundwater dynamics in the district water board Velt and Vecht). Alterra Wageningen, Alterra-rapport 1189

  • Lebbe L (1978) Hydrogeologie van het duingebied ten westen van De Panne (in Dutrch). PhD thesis. Ghent University

  • Mahauden M, Lebbe L, De Breuck W (1982) Hydrogeologische studie van en rondom het gebied van de geplande waterwinning “Ter Yde” te Koksijde (Oostduinkerke) [Hydrogeological study in and around the area of a planned water-collection area “Ter Yde” in Koksijde (Oostduinkerke)]. Ghent University, Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology

  • Martens K (2011) Hydrogeological monitoring of nature and soil remediation activities. PhD Thesis, Ghent Univ., Belgium (in Dutch)

  • Martens K, Van Camp M, Walraevens K (2011) Ranking of water-table depths for purposes of ecosystem management in the coastal dunes of Belgium. Geol Belg 14(1–2):75–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Martens K, Van Camp M, Van Damme D, Walraevens K (2013) Groundwater dynamics converted to a groundwater classification as a tool for nature development programmes in the dunes. J Hydrol 499:236–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mather JR (1978) The climatic water balance in environmental analysis: Lexington, Mass., D.C. Heath and Company, p 239

  • McCabe GJ, Markstrom SL (2007) A monthly water-balance model driven by a graphical user interface. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File report 2007–1088, p 6

  • Mekkink P (2003) De bodemgesteldheid van bosreservaten in Nederland. Deel 7 Bosreservaat Grootvenbos. (The soil conditions of wood reserve Grootvenbos). Alterra Wageningen, Alterra-rapport 60.7/JW/03-2003

  • Moon S-K, Woo NC, Lee KS (2004) Statistical analysis of hydrographs and water-table fluctuation to estimate groundwater recharge. J Hydrol 292:198–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radfar M, Van Camp M, Walraevens K (2013) Drought impacts on long-term hydrodynamic behavior of groundwater in the tertiary–quaternary aquifer system of Shahrekord Plain, Iran. Environ Earth Sci 70(2):927–942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Runhaar H, Hennekens S (2005) Hydrologische randvoorwaarden Natuur versie 2.1 Gebruikershandleiding. (Hydrological precondition Natur. Version 2.1, Users guide) Alterra Wageningen

  • Runhaar J, Witte JPM, Verburg PH (1997) Groundwater level, moisture supply and vegetation in the Netherlands. Wetlands 17:528–538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornthwaite CW (1948) An approach toward a rational classification of climate: geographical Review 38:55–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Tóth J (1963) A theoretical analysis of groundwater flow in small drainage basins. J Geophys Res 68(16):4795–4812

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Türker U, Alsalabi BS, Rizza T (2012) Water table fluctuation analyses and associated empirical approach to predict spatial distribution of water table at Yeşilköy/agiosAndronikos aquifer. Environ Earth Sci 69:63–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Camp M, Martens K, Walraevens K (2002) GWEN: integrated water-supply and nature development plan for the Belgian West-coast—hydrogeologic aspects focusing on the covered mudflats close to the French-Belgian border. 17th Salt Water Intrusion Meeting, Delft, Proceedings 461–468, 2002

  • Van Camp M, Coetsiers M, Martens K, Walraevens K (2010) Effects of multi-annual climate variability on the hydrodynamic evolution (1833 to present) in a shallow aquifer system in northern Belgium. Hydrol Sci J 55(5):763–779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Camp M, Martens K, Walraevens K (2012) Impact of recent climate variability on an aquifer. Geol Belg 15(1–2):73–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Sluijs P (1990) Grondwatertrappen (Groundwater classes). In: WP Locher, H de Bakker (ed), Bodemkunde van Nederland. Deel 1, Algemene bodemkunde. Malmberg, Den Bosch

  • Van der Sluijs P, de Gruijter JJ (1985) Water table classes: a method to describe seasonal fluctuation and duration of water tables on Dutch soil maps. Agric. Water Manag 10:109–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knotters M, van Delft SPJ, Keizer-Vlek HE, von Asmuth JR, Jansen PC, Sival FP, van’t Klooster, CE (2008) Evaluatie monitoring Deurnese Peel en Mariapeel. Kwantificering van effecten van maatregelen en advies over het monitoringsplan. (Evaluation monitoring of Deurnese Peel and Mariapeel. Quantifying the effects of the measures and advice about the monitoring plan) Alterra Wageningen, Alterra-rapport 1717

  • Vandenbohede A, Lebbe L, Gysens S, Delecluyse K, De Wolf P (2008) Salt water infiltration in two artificial sea inlets in the Belgian dune area. J Hydrol 360:77–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vandenbohede A, Van Houtte E, Lebbe L (2009) Sustainable groundwater extraction in coastal areas: a Belgian example. Environ Geol 57:735–747

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Asmuth JR, Knotters M (2004) Characterising groundwater dynamics based on a system identification approach. J Hydrol 296:118–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walraevens K, Lebbe L, Van Camp M, Angius G, Serra MA, Vacca A, Massidda R, De Breuck W (1993) Salt/fresh-water flow and distribution in a cross-section at Oostduinkerke (Belgian coastal plain). In: CUSTODIO E, GALOFRE A (ed) Study and modelling of saltwater intrusion into aquifers, Barcelona: Centro Internacional de Métodos Numéricos en Ingenieria, pp 407–420

  • Walraevens K, Martens K, Coetsiers M, Van Camp M (2002) GWEN: integrated water-supply and nature development plan for the Belgian West-coast—hydrogeologic aspects focusing on the Lenspolder. 17th Salt Water Intrusion Meeting, Delft, Proceedings 469–479, 2002

  • Wierda A, Fresco LFM, Grootjans AP, van Diggelen R (1997) Numerical assessment of plant species as indicators of the groundwater regime. J Veg Sci 8:707–716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Witte JP, Runhaar H (2000) Planten als indicator voor water (plants used as indicator for water). Stromingen 6–1: 5–21. 180: 301–318

  • Thornthwaite CW, Mather JR (1955) The water balance. Publications in Climatology, 8 (l). C.W. Thornthwaite & Associates, Centerton, New Jersey

  • Zhou Y (1996) Sampling frequency for monitoring the actual state of groundwater systems. J Hydrology 180 (1–4):301–318

  • Zwaenepoel A, Cosyns E (2009) Flora en vegetatie. In: Martens K, Walraevens K (ed) Wetenschappelijke monitoring van de natuurherstelmaatregelen uitgevoerd in het kader van het LIFE-nature project FEYDRA. (Scientific monitoring of the nature restoration actions performed for the LIFE-nature project FEYDRA) Ghent University, Belgium, Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank H. Van Nieuwenhuyse and J.L. Herrier of the Agency Nature and Forest of the Flemish Community who funded part of this research. We are grateful to E. Van Houtte of the public water supply company IWVA who contributed data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Kristine Martens, Marc Van Camp & Kristine Walraevens

Authors
  1. Kristine Martens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marc Van Camp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kristine Walraevens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kristine Martens.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Martens, K., Van Camp, M. & Walraevens, K. Quantification of water table dynamics as a reference for impact assessment of ecohydrological enhancement measures in a dune area in Belgium. Environ Earth Sci 73, 2223–2240 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3572-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3572-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation