5.4 Estuaries in the Southern North Sea Region
91
1
Shipping/
transport
Flood control
and flood
protecon
Nature
conservaon
Tourism/
recreaon
Agriculture
Industry/
trade
Living/
working
Fishery
Fig. 5.19 Different interests and needs in estuaries are linked to different requirements. c
Frank
Ahlhorn
In estuaries different interests and needs come together and sometimes lead to conflicts (Fig. 5.19). Some of these interests could mutually be developed, others show
contradicting requirements. For example, if the fairway of the estuary shall guarantee the accessibility of an inland harbor it has to be adapted to the current draft of
vessels. This affects the shallow water areas and the side arms because of hydrodynamic and morphological changes. Thus, the natural environment of the estuary will
be disturbed. Different users have different requirements. This will be exemplified by
using the transport sector as relevant driver for changing the shape and structure of
estuaries.
5.4.2 Historical Development
Estuaries are used as backbones for trade by ships and vessels. In ancient time sailing
boats approached the harbors along the small and narrow estuaries. With the growing
requirement for trade the sailing boats were increasing. The consequence was that the
journey to inland harbors was more dangerous because of shallow water areas and highly
91
1
Shipping/
transport
Flood control
and flood
protecon
Nature
conservaon
Tourism/
recreaon
Agriculture
Industry/
trade
Living/
working
Fishery
Fig. 5.19 Different interests and needs in estuaries are linked to different requirements. c
Frank
Ahlhorn
In estuaries different interests and needs come together and sometimes lead to conflicts (Fig. 5.19). Some of these interests could mutually be developed, others show
contradicting requirements. For example, if the fairway of the estuary shall guarantee the accessibility of an inland harbor it has to be adapted to the current draft of
vessels. This affects the shallow water areas and the side arms because of hydrodynamic and morphological changes. Thus, the natural environment of the estuary will
be disturbed. Different users have different requirements. This will be exemplified by
using the transport sector as relevant driver for changing the shape and structure of
estuaries.
5.4.2 Historical Development
Estuaries are used as backbones for trade by ships and vessels. In ancient time sailing
boats approached the harbors along the small and narrow estuaries. With the growing
requirement for trade the sailing boats were increasing. The consequence was that the
journey to inland harbors was more dangerous because of shallow water areas and highly