ABSTRACT

The Blue Heart delta, a severely altered estuarine landscape located in the Netherlands, is an example of the intricate interdependencies between human intervention and ecological transformation. Once characterized by its dynamic habitats, this deltaic system has undergone significant anthropogenic alterations, primarily due to extensive flood control measures and intensive land use. While these interventions have ensured protection for the thriving Dutch urban centers and intensive agricultural lands, they have also resulted in the fragmentation of the natural landscape and the degradation of critical habitats. This article explores the ecological consequences of these interventions, demonstrating the relationship between hydrogeomorphology, land use, and the delta’s evolving ecosystems. It also advocates for a paradigm shift in water management strategies toward ecosystem-based adaptation frameworks that can allow human-nature habitat permeability in the context of increasing climate uncertainty.