Wadden Academy: Extreme weather has consequences for the Wadden area. AP
More downpours interspersed with longer periods of drought have consequences for agriculture, drinking water and also for the ecology in the Wadden Sea Region, according to a fact sheet from the Wadden Academy.
Prolonged drought has an effect on the drinking water supply – especially on the Wadden Islands – and increases the risk of salinization for the agricultural sector. For the Wadden Sea, the greater variation in the supply of freshwater leads to a greater variation in local salinity levels, in the distribution of silt and in water flow patterns.
Warmer water
In addition to more erratic precipitation, warmer water also causes a change in flora and fauna. Plant and animal species that previously occurred in more southern areas can also settle in the Wadden Sea. In addition, according to the Wadden Academy, it is possible that – on the basis of existing models and current insights – the sea level in the basin of the Vlie will rise faster than the tidal flats grow around 2030. This will have a major impact on the living environment of plants and the foraging behavior of animals, the organization writes.
These findings are stated in the fact sheet: Climate change in the Netherlands. Facts, trends and developments relevant to the Wadden area from the Wadden Academy † The document is based on two recent reports: Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC and KNMI Climate Signal ’21.