ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR RIVERBED SCENARIOS IN THE WAAL BENDS AND PANNERDENSCH CANAL
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2025-01-22
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en
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This thesis explores adaptive scenarios for managing riverbed elevation in the Waal Bends and Pannerdensch Canal, addressing challenges such as riverbed erosion, fluctuating water levels, drought, economic resilience and ecological degradation. The study evaluates the impacts of 8 riverbed elevation scenarios, ranging from a 35 cm decrease to a 35 cm increase, on groundwater levels, inundation frequencies, and land-use functions. Using Geographical Information System (GIS)-based analyses and cost-benefit evaluations, two adaptation strategies are developed: a nature-focused scenario that transitions unsuitable agricultural land to natural ecotopes and an agriculture-focused scenario emphasizing drought-resistant crops like Miscanthus.
The findings highlight the complex interplay between hydrological boundaries and land-use suitability. Higher riverbed elevations generally support agricultural and economic stability, while lower elevations risk significant agricultural losses. However, neither scenario fully resolves the area’s hydrological challenges, with wet ecotopes remaining suboptimal across all conditions. The results emphasize the need for more extreme measures, such as higher riverbed elevations, floodplain lowering and stakeholder engagement to align agricultural practices with ecological objectives.
This research contributes to sustainable floodplain management by providing actionable insights for policymakers under programs like Integral River Management (IRM) and Programmatic Approach for Large Water Bodies (PAWG). The findings underscore the importance of balancing ecological and economic goals in adaptive planning, offering a framework for addressing long-term climate and environmental challenges in river systems.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen