intensive agriculture, through which we aimed to better serve both nature and
agriculture during long periods of drought. Vechtstromen water authority has
constructed a system of level-dependent drainage in combination with raising the
drainage basis of a small water-depleted nature conservation area to be able to test
the effect on nature.
Another research project has been studying surface runoff. Surface runoff in
Northeast Twente is commonly observed in hilly areas, where soil layers with low
permeability reach the surface (Fig. 9.3). Extreme precipitation events, together
with impermeable layers at shallow depths, can result in pool formation. If precipitation events follow shortly after land fertilization, pools with high phosphate
concentrations are formed. As a result, the surface water is enriched with phosphates, leading to eutrophication. Research has been carried out to estimate the
potential to improve drought resilience of a number of possible measures to reduce
runoff. Examples of such measures are contour ploughing and the construction of
earth banks along the low parts of fields to enhance water infiltration.
9.3.2.3 Water Management Plans
Water management plans have been made together with in total 15 farmers, tailored
to their specific situation. The plans include tips and tricks on how to influence the
water balance by storing water, resulting in a mutual gain for the farmer and the
adjacent nature areas. The aim of these plans is to work on drought adaptation on a
small scale, fitting in an overall vision for the area. The intensive communication
established with the farmers created awareness, and motivated other stakeholders to
Fig. 9.3 Research equipment to study surface runoff
9 The Fragmentation-Coherence Paradox in Twente
189
agriculture during long periods of drought. Vechtstromen water authority has
constructed a system of level-dependent drainage in combination with raising the
drainage basis of a small water-depleted nature conservation area to be able to test
the effect on nature.
Another research project has been studying surface runoff. Surface runoff in
Northeast Twente is commonly observed in hilly areas, where soil layers with low
permeability reach the surface (Fig. 9.3). Extreme precipitation events, together
with impermeable layers at shallow depths, can result in pool formation. If precipitation events follow shortly after land fertilization, pools with high phosphate
concentrations are formed. As a result, the surface water is enriched with phosphates, leading to eutrophication. Research has been carried out to estimate the
potential to improve drought resilience of a number of possible measures to reduce
runoff. Examples of such measures are contour ploughing and the construction of
earth banks along the low parts of fields to enhance water infiltration.
9.3.2.3 Water Management Plans
Water management plans have been made together with in total 15 farmers, tailored
to their specific situation. The plans include tips and tricks on how to influence the
water balance by storing water, resulting in a mutual gain for the farmer and the
adjacent nature areas. The aim of these plans is to work on drought adaptation on a
small scale, fitting in an overall vision for the area. The intensive communication
established with the farmers created awareness, and motivated other stakeholders to
Fig. 9.3 Research equipment to study surface runoff
9 The Fragmentation-Coherence Paradox in Twente
189