Fragile ecosystems | Geopark Schelde Delta

A fragile ecosystem what is it? An ecosystem is a natural collection of microorganisms, animals and plants in a given area. An ecosystem is constantly changing and plays an important role in its environment. When such an ecosystem is vulnerable, it has unique characteristics that must be preserved. Often, a fragile ecosystem contains endangered biodiversity.

Smalle hoge duinen en strand aan Kust Zuidwest Walcheren (gemaakt door Marcelle Davidse)

Coast and sea

The Scheldt runs as a blue thread through Geopark Schelde Delta. As a result, our geopark consists largely of river and seawater but also coastal areas. Together these form coastal and marine ecosystems, because a coastal and marine ecosystem is where land meets sea. These systems come in many different forms, think of a mangrove forests, coral reefs or estuaries. They provide directly and indirectly a wide range of services for humans, such as recreation but also carbon sequestration and reducing coastal erosion.

Estuaries

Geopark Schelde Delta is an estuary. An estuary? That's an area where a difference between salt and fresh water is noticeable. So, often this is about a place where the river(s) meets the sea or ocean. In which you can find birds, for example, because the coast is a good breeding ground for all kinds of birds. The coastal water is a good nursery for various fish species, the dunes a habitat for salt-loving plants and the sand a home for dozens of species of bottom-dwelling animals. What is unique about these areas is the brackish water where various forms of flora and fauna can be found.