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Griend: Restored, but how long will the island last?
The restoration of the uninhabited island of Griend in the Wadden Sea will secure habitats for birds and seals by 2025.
Griend: Restored, but how long will the island last?
A small glimmer of hope shines over Griend, an uninhabited island in the Wadden Sea between Vlieland and Friesland. Nature has recovered over an area of around 60 hectares through a comprehensive restoration project. How geography.nl Reportedly, Griend is not only a resting and breeding place for migratory birds such as the great star and the ruddy grutto, but also plays an essential role in the reproduction of seals.
For years the island was threatened by erosion caused by human activity in the Wadden Sea area. To counteract this, a large-scale project was launched in 2016 to protect Griend from further erosion and restore the island's natural dynamics. In collaboration with Natuurmonumenten and Rijkswaterstaat, various measures have been taken to future-proof the island.
Successful recovery measures
The project involved significant sand replenishment on the western side of Griend, while vegetation was removed elsewhere. “Flooding” is also part of the plan to deposit sediment and increase the island’s elevation. An important aspect is the role of vegetation in sediment binding, which is essential for the stability of the island. Current data analysis shows worrying trends: if erosion continues, Griend's area could return to 2016 levels by 2034.
Griend not only serves as a local example of sustainable coastal protection, but also offers valuable lessons for other vulnerable coastal locations, such as rijkswaterstaat.nl turns out.
Future of marine ecosystems
Another step in the right direction is the seagrass restoration project in the Wadden Sea, which is proving to be essential for healthy underwater life. The seagrass fields used to cover thousands of hectares, but they have largely disappeared due to human activity. The project aims to restore around 10,000 hectares of seagrass in the Wadden Sea by 2027. Seagrass is able to slow water currents, contributing to water clarity and preventing coastal erosion, in line with sustainable marine solutions.
Like the EU-funded research project FutureMARES As illustrated, the interactions between climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem services are complex. Integration policies to promote the sustainable use of marine resources represent a challenge, especially under the conditions arising from climate change.
The combination of restoration, research and conservation shows that it is possible to breathe new life into marine ecosystems while using natural resources responsibly. Close cooperation between science, politics and nature conservation organizations is essential. The path to a regenerated Wadden Sea and stable coastlines is not an easy one, but the effort is worth it.