Waddenzee trilateraal Rottum (BO-11-018.02-059)

In conformance with trilateral Wadden Sea agreements, in 2005 The Netherlands has assigned a reference area within the Dutch Wadden Sea in order to monitor developments in benthic biodiversity in absence of anthropogenic influences. This area is located South of Rottum and has since then been subject to a yearly basic monitoring program. In 2016 the reference site has been installed for 10 years and additional monitoring activities are planned to map the development. Macro benthic communities  and the fish population will be sampled. The sediment structure within the gullies will be mapped with sonar. The reference gullies will be compared with the closed gullies and by comparison with historical data insight in potential differences in development will be made clear.