Introduction
The Netherlands is a small country. Most of its area lies below or just above see level. Water tables are generally very high. This high water table supports valuable plant communities scattered around the country in small areas. A high water table is not in everyone's interest. Farmers generally favour low water tables. This enables a high production and a good pass ability. Taking these opposite interests into account, managing the water table is a game of centimeters.
Changing the water table
Changing the water regime has to be done carefully. The bodies responsible will only undertake such an action in case they can predict the effects on human habitation, agriculture and nature areas. For this purpose the government institute RIZA in cooperation with RIVM and Wageningen Agricultural University, have decided to develop a simulation model called DEMNAT. This model predicts the effects of these changes on floral distribution and ecosystems. DEMNAT takes a large amount of parameters as input and produces output in the form of maps.
For more information contact Deltares
Drs. R. van Ek, Deputy head groundwater department
Tel. +31 (0)88 335 77 65 Email:
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Daltonlaan 400
3584 BK Utrecht
Postbus 85467
3508 AL Utrecht
Tel: +31 (0)88 335 7700
Fax: +31 (0)88 335 7720
