Efficiency of Long-Term Measurements in Wadden Sea Area is now Improving

07-12-2011   A common strategy for taking long-term measurements for ecological and economic purposes in the Wadden Sea area is the goal set by a number of institutes and organisations that aim for a better understanding and sustainable management of this world heritage site. One of the steps taken was the creation of a website showing the development of these plans, www.walterproject.nl, which was launched today.

Sustainable management of the Wadden Sea starts with good knowledge. In most cases, knowledge is available but results of measurements taken by different organizations are difficult to share because each organization has its own methods. The WaLTER project is meant to improve efficiency. WaLTER is short for Wadden Sea Long-Term Ecosystem Research. The aim of the project is setting up an integrated monitoring network for those issues that are most relevant to the Wadden Sea. WaLTER expressly wishes to better integrate ecological and social economic knowledge on, for example, fishing policies but also on industrial activities. In the coming years, a proposal for gearing existing research and measurement programmes to one other and for making data more easily accessible will be drawn up in consultation with Germany and Denmark.

Improved efficiency in long-term measurements will lead to an increase in information obtained from these measurements. The website, www.walterpoject.nl, will regularly present new examples of this, such as a reconstruction of the mudflats being covered and uncovered by the sea during the tidal cycle. The project will also incorporate a series of stories about people living in, working in, studying or managing the Wadden Sea area, the theme of these stories being the value of this unique area and the importance of collecting data.

In the coming years, the website will be expanded with a data portal, a single location where as much data as possible about the environment (sediment, nutrients, transparency etc.), biology (primary production, benthic life, birds etc.) and economy (fishery, employment) will be made available. These data can then be used more easily for making policy decisions and WaLTER encourages joint interpretation of data. Because of the large number of institutes carrying out measurements in the Wadden Sea area, it may be difficult to find specific data or data suitable for broader analyses. Therefore, anyone looking for specific data can post a message on the website forum to ask for the data they need.  

Organizations involved
The WaLTER project is managed by the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and it is carried out by NIOZ, the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, IMARES Wageningen UR, Radboud University Nijmegen, University of Groningen and SOVON Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology together with Natuurmonumenten (Society for Nature Conservation), Staatbosbeheer (Dutch Forestry Commission), the province of Friesland, NAM (Dutch Oil Company), the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. The project is funded by the Waddenfonds and the provinces of Noord-Holland and Friesland contribute to the project as well.

Photographs
Measuring the outline of mussel beds on mudflats using GPS equipment at low tide (photograph by Frouke Fey).
Installation of a measuring pole on the mudflats for monitoring algal growth and bloom 24/7 (photograph by Rob Buiter).
Surveying birds when the tide comes in (photograph by Allert Bijleveld).