Cockle fishing in the Dutch Wadden Sea was practiced from 1960 to 2005. Cockles can be harvested manually, but the technique used nowadays for fishing is called suction dredging. This technique lifts cockles and sediments up, after which the cockles are separated from the sediment and the sediment is returned to the sea. This leads to a loss of silt from the sediment, leaving behind only the coarse sediment particles.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Method
a. The conceptual model of the study case
b. Analyses of ecosystems functions and services using Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and TEEB study
c. Analyses of the drivers of change on the Dutch Wadden Sea
d. Stakeholder analyses of the Dutch Wadden Sea
e. Analyses of the human well-being and livelihoods
Presentation of result
Discussion of result
The conceptual model and the problem tree analysis
Ecosystems functions and services using MA and TEEB study analysis
DPSIR of the case study analysis
Stakeholder analysis with importance and influence of the primary and secondary stakeholders
Components of human well-being in relation to the MA analysis
Research Objectives and Key Topics
The primary objective of this study is to analyze the causes of the declining cockle population in the Dutch Wadden Sea and to evaluate the resulting environmental and socio-economic effects on the ecosystem and human well-being.
- Analysis of ecosystem functions and services using MA and TEEB frameworks.
- Evaluation of direct and indirect drivers of ecological change via the DPSIR model.
- Assessment of stakeholder importance and influence within the Wadden Sea ecosystem.
- Examination of human well-being components linked to environmental resource status.
- Impact assessment of mechanical suction dredging on biodiversity and regional income.
Excerpt from the Book
Introduction
The Wadden Sea is a shallow inshore area of about 6000km2 extending from the Netherlands to Denmark (Jonge et al., 1993). This study focuses on the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea with an area of 3000km2 located between the North Sea and the Netherlands mainland. The Dutch Wadden Sea is a unique ecosystem that has provided provisional, regulating, and cultural and habitat/supporting ecosystem functions and services. Cockle (cerastoderma edule) shell fishing is one of the major provisional services that Dutch Wadden Sea provides. The filter feeders species help in the water purification of the system and this account to regulating service. Another important regulating service offered by this system is biological control by predation. Habitat for species is a supporting service also from the Dutch Wadden Sea (Beukema and Cadee 1996). Biodiversity is fundamental to many ecosystem services. It provides sustainability and resilience vital for livelihoods and coping strategies of many people, especially the rural poor. As a result of different biodiversities especially two distinct shore birds species (Oystercatchers and Eiders) present in the system, recreation and tourism has immensely contributed to income generation in the Dutch Wadden Sea, thereby serving as a cultural service. Additionally scientific and education information is as well a major cultural service provided by this system. Primary production mainly phytoplankton is moreover a supporting service from this system.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of the Wadden Sea ecosystem, identifies the decline in cockle population as the core problem, and outlines the research objectives.
Method: Details the analytical frameworks used, including problem tree construction, MA and TEEB integration, DPSIR analysis, and stakeholder assessment.
Presentation of result: Visualizes the conceptual model and relationships between predators, fishing activities, and habitat degradation.
Discussion of result: Synthesizes findings regarding ecological drivers, stakeholder roles, and the impact of resource depletion on human well-being.
Keywords
Dutch Wadden Sea, Cockle population, Ecosystem services, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, TEEB, DPSIR, Suction dredging, Biodiversity, Shorebirds, Stakeholder analysis, Human well-being, Environmental impacts, Sustainable management, Overfishing, Resource depletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this study?
The study investigates the ecological and socio-economic consequences of the declining cockle population in the Dutch Wadden Sea, triggered largely by mechanical suction dredging.
What are the central thematic fields?
The study covers ecosystem services, human well-being, stakeholder dynamics, and the drivers of ecological change within a marine protected area.
What is the main research question?
The research aims to analyze the problem of cockle population decrease and determine its specific environmental and socio-economic effects on the Wadden Sea ecosystem.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author employs a multi-faceted approach including problem tree analysis, the DPSIR (Drivers, Pressure, State, Impact, Response) framework, and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) combined with TEEB studies.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the conceptual modeling of the cockle crisis, the analysis of ecosystem services, stakeholder mapping, and the assessment of human well-being components.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Wadden Sea, cockle population, ecosystem services, suction dredging, DPSIR, and human well-being.
How does the study link cockle decline to human income?
The decline leads to a loss of income in the fishing sector and, due to the loss of shorebirds that rely on cockles, a significant reduction in tourism revenue.
What role does the Dutch Government play in this scenario?
According to the stakeholder analysis, the Dutch Government holds high influence, evidenced by their decision to ban mechanical suction dredging to protect the ecosystem.
- Quote paper
- Emelda Orakwue (Author), 2013, Analyses of decrease in cockle population in the Dutch Wadden Sea , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/215028
