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The authors are solely responsible for the content of this report. Material included herein does not represent the opinion of the European Community, and the European Community is not responsible for any use that might be made of it.
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The analysis of use levels and interactions with salinity zonation from the TIDE estuaries did not identify any strong correlations, suggesting that whilst salinity can be an important factor in determining ecological functions within an estuary, other factors will also influence a range of uses and thus conflict scenarios.
For instance, the Humber in particular showed considerable dissimilarity in terms of use levels and conflict interactions compared to the other TIDE estuaries, with reduced conflict levels arising from navigation related issues on Natura 2000 protection requirements and vice versa.
This atypical outcome in relation to ports services and conservation protection needs is considered primarily due to the positioning of the main ports industry on the Humber, compared to the other estuaries, with the Humber’s main port industry proportionally closer to the mouth of the estuary than the other TIDE estuaries. This is reduction in conflict level is assisted by natural processes maintaining navigation depth in most reaches of the estuary and tributaries but within an adaptive channel buoyage process whereby changes in channel position are monitored and the fairway alignment altered accordingly.
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How can multiple estuarine resource use be managed in an integrated way within the existing planning system?
How can the Ecosystem Services Approach be used to support management decisions?
How do TIDE estuaries deal with management problems?
How does the societal demand for ecosystem services vary along the estuary gradient?
What are the key areas of conflicts or synergies in TIDE estuaries?
What tool is available to help manage multiple users of a resource in an integrated way (i.e. achieving more holistic management)?
What tools are useful for involving local communities and stakeholders?
Which aspects do I have to take into account in order to make a measure a success?
Which synergistic effects and conflicts can be expected by planning and implementing a certain measure?
Analysis of the TIDE Estuarine Conflict Matrices
Table of content
- 1. SUMMARY
- 2. INTRODUCTION
- 2a. General
- 2b. Research Aims
- 2c. Conflict Matrices
- 2d. Conflict Matrix Tool
- 3. CONFLICT MATRIX METHODOLOGY
- 3a. Approach
- 3b. Analysis
- 4. CONFLICT MATRIX SET-UP PROCESS FINDINGS
- 4a. Salinity/Management Zone Extent Comparison
- 4b. Regional Working Group (RWG) Composition and Interests Comparison
- 4c. Conflict Matrix Estuary Zone Level of Use Comparison
- 4d. Generic Estuary Conflict Scores
- 5. CONFLICT MATRIX OUTCOMES ANALYSIS PER ESTUARY & ZONE
- 5a. Elbe Estuary Conflicts Analysis
- 5b. Weser Estuary Conflicts Analysis
- 5c. Scheldt Estuary Conflicts Analysis
- 5d. Humber Estuary Conflicts Analysis
- 5e. Estuary Conflict Matrix Analysis Summary
- 6. TYPOLOGY OF ASSOCIATIONS ACROSS ALL TIDE ESTUARIES
- 6a. Management Awareness and Focus
- 6b. Salinity Zone Associations
- 6c. Conflict Interaction Typology
- 7. DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
- 7a. Spatial Conflict Variation
- 7b. Sectoral Conflict Variation
- 7c. Conflict Management
- 7d. Measures Interactions and Disbenefits
- 7e. Links to Other Approaches
- 8. REFERENCES
- 9. APPENDICES
7a. Spatial Conflict Variation
Although the process has allowed inter estuarine comparisons to be made and typologies to be established, the conflict matrix analysis has also identified that in most instances the spatial distribution of these interactions was variable both at an inter and intra estuarine scale.The analysis of use levels and interactions with salinity zonation from the TIDE estuaries did not identify any strong correlations, suggesting that whilst salinity can be an important factor in determining ecological functions within an estuary, other factors will also influence a range of uses and thus conflict scenarios.
For instance, the Humber in particular showed considerable dissimilarity in terms of use levels and conflict interactions compared to the other TIDE estuaries, with reduced conflict levels arising from navigation related issues on Natura 2000 protection requirements and vice versa.
This atypical outcome in relation to ports services and conservation protection needs is considered primarily due to the positioning of the main ports industry on the Humber, compared to the other estuaries, with the Humber’s main port industry proportionally closer to the mouth of the estuary than the other TIDE estuaries. This is reduction in conflict level is assisted by natural processes maintaining navigation depth in most reaches of the estuary and tributaries but within an adaptive channel buoyage process whereby changes in channel position are monitored and the fairway alignment altered accordingly.
Important to know
Reports / Measures / Tools
| Report: | Zonation of the TIDE estuaries (Functioning) |
|---|---|
| Report: | Ecosystem Service Assessment of TIDE Estuaries (Functioning) |
| Report: | Legislative Drivers & Sectoral Plan Review of TIDE Estuaries (Governance) |
Management issues
How can management actions be prioritised based on conflict assessment outcomes?How can multiple estuarine resource use be managed in an integrated way within the existing planning system?
How can the Ecosystem Services Approach be used to support management decisions?
How do TIDE estuaries deal with management problems?
How does the societal demand for ecosystem services vary along the estuary gradient?
What are the key areas of conflicts or synergies in TIDE estuaries?
What tool is available to help manage multiple users of a resource in an integrated way (i.e. achieving more holistic management)?
What tools are useful for involving local communities and stakeholders?
Which aspects do I have to take into account in order to make a measure a success?
Which synergistic effects and conflicts can be expected by planning and implementing a certain measure?