Nature compensation for ECA
200 hectares of new habitat in the port of Antwerp area
Nature compensation for ECA
The expansion of the Extra Container Capacity Antwerp (ECA) boosts the port’s capacity. But it needs space. Valuable habitat disappears or degrades. For that reason, compensatory nature areas will be created close by.
Two key sites are Doelpolder Zuid and Prosperpolder Zuid. Together they provide roughly 200 hectares of new habitat in the Port of Antwerp area. The Witteveen+Bos team drew up a high-quality, carefully considered and comprehensive design plan for both.
Doelpolder Zuid
Today Doelpolder Zuid is still farmland, lying between Prosperpolder, De Putten and the coastal replacement zones MIDA, C59 and the filled-in Doeldok. Under the Sigmaplan, studies examined how this area can evolve into estuarine habitat, directly linked to the Scheldt’s tidal rhythm via a new creek.
Commissioned by Port of Antwerp/Bruges, Witteveen+Bos will create 38.3 hectares of new habitat for meadow birds, reedbeds for reed-dwelling species and feeding grounds for the marsh harrier.
Prosperpolder Zuid
In Prosperpolder Zuid a surrogate coastline was developed: a mosaic of mudflats, pools, breeding islands and open sandy zones where target species such as avocet, common tern, Kentish plover and Mediterranean gull find habitat. Shelduck and avocet also get wintering opportunities here, as do secondary target species like the marsh harrier and the bluethroat.
Prosperpolder Zuid covers about 160 hectares of habitat, arranged roughly as 70% water and 30% land. Eight breeding islands of two hectares each form the core. They are surrounded by mudflats and very shallow water (2–15 cm) where waders can forage. Terns have a connection to the deeper waters of the Scheldt. Predators are kept out using water buffers and fencing, and vegetation remains pioneer in character thanks to water-level management and measures such as mowing or turf-stripping.
Our role
Our team of ecologists and hydrologists drew the design plans for both Doelpolder Zuid and Prosperpolder Zuid. A selection of our tasks:
- Analysis of current nature values relative to the conservation targets.
- Hydrological and ecological studies to define the best layout.
- Assessment of effects on groundwater and surface water.
- Design of a site plan including earthworks and water-level management.
- Development of a management and monitoring plan.
- Preparation of permit applications.
Through both projects we ensure the Port of Antwerp’s expansion proceeds hand in hand with the creation of new, resilient nature areas.
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