Verbrede blik op het voedselweb en ecologisch functioneren van de Nederlandse grote wateren: Verkenning van de rol die het achterland speelt bij het ecologisch functioneren van het IJsselmeergebied aan de hand van stofstromen. Deel III, Koppeling van meer en moeras: systeemanalyse van de stofstromen vanuit de binnendijkse moerassen in Flevoland naar het Markermeer

To be able to determine the effects of the development, utilization and management of the large lakes and rivers in the Netherlands on the ecosystems’ food web and ecological carrying capacity, it is important to consider the relevant environmental factors and processes on the correct spatial scale. The transport of organic matter and nutrients across riparian ecotones is a major driver of lake and river ecosystem functioning. To be able to make effective decisions on the design of new connection between land and water, it is crucial to map the organic matter and nutrient concentrations in the designated area. Only then, organic matter and nutrient rich hotspot can be identified and potential measures to improve connectivity can be implemented. The concentrations of total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC and DOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) were measured along the route from the wetlands Lepelaarplassen and Oostvaardersplassen to lake Markermeer. High concentrations of both organic carbon and nutrients were found in the wetlands, while these concentrations reduce along the route to lake Markermeer, especially once the water enters the canals Lage Vaart and Hoge Vaart. Within the wetlands, nutrient concentrations varied, where the Lepelaarplassen contains relatively more TP, while the Oostvaardersplassen has more TN.