LENSINK R, PLATTEEUW M, & POOT M (2004) Birds and river dynamics: perspectives of nature development along the major Dutch rivers. LIMOSA 77 (4): 131-148.

In order to cope with exceptional peak discharges in the river Rhine and avoid further dike-construction works, scenarios to enlarge the winterbed of the river are currently being investigated. These do not only address the purpose of safety, but also allow ecological rehabilitation of some of the original river dynamics. Ecological rehabilitation is included in the targets concerning management policies along the rivers Meuse and Rhine and their tributaries. One of the measures to achieve a larger winterbed includes artificial lowering of the forelands. In two already artificially lowered floodplain areas along the river Rhine (Waal), an extensive study was carried out to monitor the ecological effects of the measures in a series of drier and wetter years. This paper discusses some of the effects to be expected when floodplains in the winterbed are subject to more dynamic water tables. It is clearly demonstrated that waterbirds and waterside birds (e.g. waders, gulls) may profit from the generally wetter conditions in the lowest parts of the floodplain and/or in years with higher discharges (Tab. 1, Figs. 4-8). On the other hand, both feeding and nesting conditions (particularly for ground-nesting terrestrial birds) may become far less favourable and some characteristic and scarce birds of less dynamic riverine landscapes (e.g. Corncrake, Corn Bunting) may even go extinct as a result of the measures. If widening the winterbed by lowering the floodplain level will be the only way to assure safety in the Dutch river area, compensation for losses of important natural values should be offered outside the floodplain, behind the dikes. Here, ground-level is often lower than in the floodplain in the actual winterbed, and thus opportunities exist to establish compensation areas. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata = Spatula clypeata Garganey Anas querquedula Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Greylag Goose Anser anser Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis White Wagtail Motacilla alba Grey Partridge Perdix perdix Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Common Redshank Tringa totanus Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava Bluethroat Luscinia svecica = Cyalnosylvia svecica Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Stock Dove Columba oenas Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Common Blackbird Turdus merula Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Great Tit Parus major Carrion Crow Corvus corone Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Dunnock Prunella modularis Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

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