Adaptation of low lying Coastal areas to changing climate conditions

The example of the Wesermarsch region (Germany)

Simon Berlo, Belgium Monique Bienenmann-Ploum, The Netherlands Alexandra Gerea, Romania

Heike Haegens, Belgium Andrei Mihai, Romania Elisavet Zagkle, Greece

Problem Definition
Climate Change Research Question

Impacts: Sea lever rise

What adaptation strategies to climate change can be

adopted by the local community of Wesermarsch, and how can they suit the local community, environment and

Coastal Areas

economy?

Wesermarsch County of Germany

Adaptation Adjustment in ecological, social or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects or impacts.
(Smith et al.,1999 )

It is often seen as complementary to mitigation (UNFCCC 1997; McCarthy et al., 2001)

Study Area: Wesermarsch County

Problems in the region:
Water management problems Water surplus in wintertime and water deficits in summer time Local communities do not want any changes
(Bormann et al., 2012)

Method
Literature review
Key words Scientific search machine and scientific sites
ex. scholargoogle.com, Sciencedirect, Webofknowledge, European Union, IPCC and TIDE website (http://tide-project.eu)

Time period: 3 months

Soil Function
Climate Soil (marine sediments)
75% marsh and 15% peat soils, 0.5% sandy

Rich in organic, porosity 90% agriculture

Map with the types of soil in the Wesermarsch area
Source: Bormann et al., 2012

What we recommend:
1. adequate drainage system, 2. fluvisol type of soil, the areas with histosols, the uncultivated lands

Water Management

Flood Control Area (FCA) lowered dike

Controlled Reduced Tide (CRT) sluices

Water Management & Agriculture

Salt Water Problem in Wesermarsch
Solution to the problem

Salt-water intrusion

Salt water inlet channels

Create storage areas for fresh water on small and large scale

Use fresh water storage areas

for inlet into the channels Groundwater level raise will Agricultural Land

reduce salt-water intrusions

Renewable Energy
Wind energy (both onshore and offshore) are good solutions for the area.

- Very suitable for wind energy - Factories already exist in the area

- Renewable energy supported by Germany - Energy for drainage systems, jobs, sustainability

Biodiversity
Wesermarsch species and ecosystems under threat Human Activities & Climate Change
shallow water zones of the Weser River disappeared sea grass, marine invertebrates

species that are of high ecological

importance in Wesermarsch

Twaide Shad

Avocet

Snakes Head Fritillary

Bulbous Foxtail

Seal

Mudflat

Policy
Natura 2000:
Combine environmental protection and sustainable use. Birds Directive Sites Habitats Directive Sites Legal assessment of proposed measures

Water framework directive

Good ecological and chemical status.
(EEA, 2013)

Local People
Proof to policy makers Educate people
-Similar case in Belgium

Table: Policy Tools

stimulating Juridical model agreement

repressive command, order

Economic model Communication model

allowance
informing

legal charges
propaganda

Adaptive Capacity Wheel

Adaptive Capacity Wheel

Intellectual capital

Variety Learning capacity

Resources Room for autonomous change Fair governance Leadership

Social capital

Different scientific adaptation strategies are available Discussions about implementation are on-going with a stakeholder group

Political capital

Take care of treats climate change pose on the long term.

Local community doesnt want to change Adaptation will have big influence on social lives Education of local people is needed

Discussion & Conclusion

Adaptive Capacity Wheel Educating both policymakers & inhabitants Implement water management strategies Renewable energy Protecting biodiversity Sustainable development