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Best Practices
Landscape Inclusive Agriculture



The former municipality De Marne is located next to the Lauwersmeer and the Waddensea. Over years a fertile layer of clay was deposited throughout the area and forms the basis for successful agriculture today. This intense agriculture led to, among other things, a decline in soil quality and a decrease in biodiversity.
In addition, climate change is playing a growing role, particularly in the form of salinisation. The landscape-inclusive Agriculture pilot aims to integrate nature, landscape and agriculture more strongly. Together with local farmers and other stakeholders, the Board of Government Advisors has developed a vision for De Marne. The aim is to reduce the amount of fertilizers by 2050 by promoting sustainable soil management. Furthermore, dairy farmers and arable farmers will be linked to exchange raw materials and services. Dykes, field-edges and maars will be used for spatial and ecological interconnection, water storage and the production of cut-and-carry fertilizers. Finally, an adaptive approach to salinization takes place through the construction of water buffers and the switch to more salt-tolerant crops. The project shows that climate adaptation can not only be achieved by megalomaniac developments, but also through new ways of collaborating work.
Lauwersmeer area
Water always played a key role in the Lauwersmeer area. It shaped and formed the entire landscape. In the past, the (then called) Lauwerszee was connected to the Wadden Sea, threatening the area with regular floodings. Historical settlements were built on artificial wierden to keep inhabitants safe from floodings.
Entire villages developed a culture and identity around water. The rich sea clay produced one of the most fertile farmland in the world. Nowadays, as climate is rapidly changing, water is again determinative in the future of the area. Sea level rise is a real threat, leading to flood risk and salinization. Moreover, climate change has a severe impact on biodiversity. Thanks to numerous innovations we aim to keep the water at bay, increase flora and fauna and discover new ways of saline farming. Thus water is again embraced as identity of the Lauwersmeer region.
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Best practices in
Lauwersmeer area
New Waterworks Zoutkamp
Lauwersmeer area

The village of Zoutkamp was once located by the sea and a lively fishing port in its time. Due to the damming of the Lauwerszee, the connection with the sea disappeared.
Landscape Inclusive Agriculture
Lauwersmeer area

The former municipality De Marne is located next to the Lauwersmeer and the Waddensea. Over years a fertile layer of clay was deposited throughout the area and forms the basis for successful agriculture today. This intense agriculture led to, among other things, a decline in soil quality and a decrease in biodiversity.
Reed Trial
Lauwersmeer area

The Lauwersmeer used to be an estuary with an open connection to the Waddensea. In response to the large floods in Zeeland in 1953, it was decided to build a dyke around the estuary to protect the area against floods.
Salty Soil
Lauwersmeer area

Climate change also affects agriculture. Dry summers, submerged fields after heavy rainfalls and upcoming salinization all have disastrous effects on food production.
Reinforcement Lauwersmeerdijk
Lauwersmeer area

The Dutch have bad memories when it comes to floods. In the future we want to prevent them at all costs. That’s why the High Water Protection Program was started, a national program in which 1300 kilometres of dykes are reinforced.