The Netherlands and Germany are jointly investing fifteen million euros in research on the Wadden Sea. The funds will go towards five research projects, one of which is Sedway. Wietse van de Lageweg, a lector in Future Shores and a member of the Building with Nature research group at HZ University of Applied Sciences, is a co-applicant for this project.
The partners are developing a system that will allow decision-makers to more quickly identify threats and opportunities for nature restoration in the Wadden Sea. Sediment plays a crucial role in this, as it forms the foundation for the area's use (in terms of nature, recreation, shipping, or water safety). "Our research focuses on the spatial quality that previous interventions have provided for the Wadden Sea," says Wietse. "What is the utility value, experiential value, and future value of these interventions? Based on this socio-ecological approach, we obtain information to use the available sediment as intelligently and sustainably as possible in the future. This system and knowledge are extremely relevant for the Southwest Delta, as a smart use of sediment is also of great value for water safety and nature in this region, such as the Westerschelde and Oosterschelde."
World Heritage List
Like the other four projects, Sedway must contribute to a strategy for the effective protection and management of the Wadden Sea, which is on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It is a unique system of living organisms, tides, and sediments, but it is under significant pressure from human disturbances, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The Wadden Sea must therefore be protected to preserve its special values. The investments are part of a program by the Dutch and German governments and the NWO as part of the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA).