J. Nauta1,2*, M.E.B. Puijenbroek 3 , M.J.P.M. Riksen2 , J. Limpens2
1 Wageningen University, the Netherlands; 2 University of Applied Sciences van Hall Larenstein, the Netherlands; 3 Wageningen Marine Research
* Corresponding author: janne.nauta@wur.nl
Introduction
To maintain coastal safety in the Netherlands, Rijkswaterstaat reinforces the coastline through periodic sand nourishments (Brand et al. 2022, Rijkswaterstaat 2025). These nourishments potentially rearrange environmental conditions in new configurations that may help create or maintain physiotopes: spatially homogeneous abiotic habitats described by moisture, nutrients, sediment texture, and water quality, as shown for macrobenthic communities (Van Egmond et al. 2018). These physiotopes support the ecological gradients that underpin biodiversity, yet the critical thresholds at which they begin to lose ecological value remain unknown. Understanding how these communities based on functional traits (such as locomotion, reproduction, and rooting depth) react to abiotic variables such as grain size, moisture, bulk density, organic matter is key to understand the possibilities for the ecological benefits in future nourishment plans.
Objective and Methods
The aim of this study is to investigate how physiotopes structure dune habitat conditions and macrofauna community assembly, and how nourishment‑driven changes in topography and sediment distribution influence the configuration of these physiotopes. We will (1) describe and classify physiotopes across Dutch beach–foredune systems based on vegetation configuration, moisture, sediment texture, organic matter, and nutrient availability, and (2) analyse how functional trait‑based communities align with these abiotic boundaries. Our approach combines field measurements of sediment and moisture gradients, macrofauna sampling, trait‑based analyses, drone‑derived topography, and multivariate ordination to link physiotope boundaries to ecological patterns. This framework allows us to explore both natural physiotope variability and the potential for nourishments to maintain or create habitat types that support coastal biodiversity.
Results
For this poster, I welcome your input on identifying suitable study locations along the Dutch coast that represent a diversity of physiotopes—varying in moisture regimes, sediment texture, and dune dynamics from static foredune systems to highly mobile, proactive dune environments.
References
Brand, Evelien, Gemma Ramaekers, and Quirijn Lodder. 2022. “Dutch Experience with Sand Nourishments for Dynamic Coastline Conservation – An Operational Overview.” Ocean & Coastal Management 217 (February): 106008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.106008.
Rijkswaterstaat. 2025. “Kustlijnkaarten 2025.” Rijkswaterstaat Publicatie Platform, Rijkswaterstaat. https://open.rijkswaterstaat.nl/@281477/kustlijnkaarten-2025/.
Van Egmond, E.M., P.M. Van Bodegom, M.P. Berg, et al. 2018. “A Mega-Nourishment Creates Novel Habitat for Intertidal Macroinvertebrates by Enhancing Habitat Relief of the Sandy Beach.” Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 207 (July): 232–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2018.03.003
