Symposium Ems-Dollard 2050

Symposium 1o Years Eems Dollard 2050 (Dutch spoken)
Symposium ED2050

With contributions of: Frances Heijman, Marjolijn Dijkman, Arita Baaijens, Berend Henk Huizing and Karen de Jong, Katja Philippart, Bas van Maren, Floris van Bentum, Hans Danel, Rick Talsma, Jessica Mills.

As part of the ED2050 symposium Marjolijn Dijkman will introduce her research project Turbid Tides, presents an intuitive and speculative narrative about the increasing siltation of the Ems-Dollard estuary alongside the growing influence of computational thinking, with silt and data as the main protagonists. The research within the landscape examines the impact of different paradigm shifts on this particular landscape over time, from the pre-Christian Wierden dwellers living on mounds in a tidal landscape to the turbid estuary in the present day.

About Eems Dollard 2050
For many years the turbidity of the estuary and the related effects were a subject for research. The objective of the Program ED2050 is to improve the ecological situation of the Eems-Dollard estuary. The program is aiming for a healthy estuary that meets the European objectives of the Water Framework Directive and Natura 2000. Due to climate change, the sea level is rising and less fresh water is available for agriculture and industry. The quality of life is also under pressure, due to earthquakes, population shrinkage and subsidence.

In the Ems-Dollard 2050 Program (ED2050), governments, nature and environmental organizations and companies are working together to strengthen nature, the economy and quality of life. ED2050 wants to achieve three goals: reducing turbidity, strengthening natural habitats and mitigating climate change.

In recent centuries, large areas around the Ems-Dollard have been reclaimed. This left little space where silt could settle. In addition, the channels have been made deeper and wider over time. Due to the stronger tidal current, more silt enters the Ems-Dollard, while less silt can settle. The silt particles constantly swirl up due to the frequent dredging and dumping. Because of all these changes, the waters of the Ems-Dollard became increasingly turbid.

The ED2050 program aims to protect and restore the special nature in the Ems-Dollard. ED2050 do this by reducing turbidity and strengthening natural habitats. The measures we take must be climate-adaptive. Through these measures nature will become stronger and the estuary will be better protected against the consequences of climate change. At the same time, they create space for economic development and recreation.