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The Scheldt estuary: a description of a changing ecosystem

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Abstract

Estuaries are naturally highly dynamic and rapidly changing systems, forming a complex mixture of many different habitat types. They are very productive biomes and support many important ecosystem functions: biogeochemical cycling and movement of nutrients, mitigation of floods, maintenance of biodiversity and biological production. Human pressure on estuaries is very high. On the other hand, it is recognized that estuaries have a unique functional and structural biodiversity. Therefore, these ecosystems are particularly important for integrating sound ecological management with sustainable economics. These opportunities are explored for the Scheldt estuary, a well-documented system with an exceptional tidal freshwater area. In this article a description of the Scheldt estuary is presented, illustrating that human influence is intertwined with natural dynamics. Hydrology, geomorphology, trophic status and diversity are discussed, and possible future trends in both natural evolution and management are argued.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Ecosystem Management Research Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1C, B-2160, Wilrijk, Belgium

    Patrick Meire, Stefan Van Damme, Tom Maris & Eric Struyf

  2. Netherlands Institute of Ecology(NIOO-KNAW), Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology, P.O. Box 140, 4400, AC Yerseke, The Netherlands

    Tom Ysebaert

  3. Institute of Nature Conservation, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Kliniekstraat 25, B-1070, Brussels, Belgium

    Erika Van den Bergh

Authors
  1. Patrick Meire
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  2. Tom Ysebaert
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  3. Stefan Van Damme
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  4. Erika Van den Bergh
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  5. Tom Maris
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  6. Eric Struyf
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Correspondence to Stefan Van Damme.

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Meire, P., Ysebaert, T., Damme, S.V. et al. The Scheldt estuary: a description of a changing ecosystem. Hydrobiologia 540, 1–11 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-0896-8

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