The Oosterschelde estuary : an evaluation of changes at the ecosystem level induced by civil-engineering works : The Oosterschelde estuary : an evaluation of changes

The interest in storm-flood protection has recently gained momentum, owing to the wide international discussion on the impact of sea-level rise on society. The Oosterschelde project is technically and scientifically unique. The storm-surge barrier represents an important breakthrough in marine civil engineering. The project also offered ample opportunities to perform integrated physical, chemical, geological and biological research. Integration of the knowledge gained, raised the entire project to the level of a case study of a changing estuarine ecosystem, and demonstrated the effects of human interference in a non-polluted estuary