Changes in salt-marsh area in the Netherlands Wadden Sea after 1600

Abstract

The Danish, German and Dutch Wadden Sea harbours important areas of salt marsh (Dijkema et al 1984). These marshes form a modest remainder of an extensive natural landscape of salt marshes, brackish marshes, peatland and lakes which existed till about 1000 years ago at the transition of Pleistocene deposits and coastal sea (Behre 1979, Griede {\&} Roeleveld 1982, compare Beeftink 1975 for the southwest Netherlands estuaries). At that time, embankment of the already inhabited marshes was started. Later on, large recaptures by the sea were made in the embanked areas by flood disasters. In these flooded areas as well as in other areas outside the existing reclamations, sedimentation allowed growth of new foreland (e.g. Middelzee, Lauwerszee, Fivel, Dollard, Leybucht, Harlebucht, Jadebusen). During the last three to four centuries, the Wadden Sea became gradually smaller by successive reclamations of these newly accreted salt marshes for agricultural purposes.