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Biodiversity in the Lower Rhine and Meuse river-floodplains: Its significance for ecological river management

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Abstract

The diversity of aquatic biota in two large river systems of The Netherlands,viz. the Lower Rhine and Meuse, is discussed in order to: (1) reveal historical changes in biodiversity; (2) examine the role of river-floodplain connectivity; (3) set guide lines for ecological river management. The taxonomical diversity, or species richness, is used to describe the former and recent state of aquatic biota in these river systems. The ecological diversity, obtained by incorporating the concept of ecological groups into the concept of biodiversity, appears very useful in delineating guide-lines for ecological river management. The present species richness in the main channels still appears to be relatively low, despite major water quality improvements. Although present biodiversity is much improved compared with a few decades ago, it is evident that the present species are mainly eurytopic, including many exotics. The inhibition of a further biodiversity recovery results from river regulation and normalization, which have caused the deterioration and functional isolation of main channel and floodplain biotopes. The importance of connectivity for the diversity of aquatic biota is found to be different for various taxa. Moreover, a transversal zonation by the biota in the floodplain lakes is found, emphazising the importance of differences in the degree of connectivity for a diverse aquatic flora and fauna. It is concluded that floodplain lakes contribute significantly to the total biodiversity of the entire riverine ecosystem. The redevelopment of active secondary channels is required to restore the most typical riverine habitats and biota.

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Author notes

  1. F. W. B. Van Den Brink

    Present address: Department of Water Management, Province of Limburg, P.O. Box 5700, 6202, MA Maastricht, The Netherlands

  2. G. Van Der Velde

    Present address: Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500, GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands

  3. A. D. Buijse

    Present address: RIZA, P.O. Box 17, 8200, AA Lelystad, The Netherlands

  4. A. G. Klink

    Present address: Klink Hydrobiological Consultants, Boterstraat 28, 6701, CW Wageningen, The Netherlands

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    1. F. W. B. Van Den Brink
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    2. G. Van Der Velde
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    3. A. D. Buijse
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    4. A. G. Klink
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    Van Den Brink, F.W.B., Van Der Velde, G., Buijse, A.D. et al. Biodiversity in the Lower Rhine and Meuse river-floodplains: Its significance for ecological river management. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 30, 129–149 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02272234

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