The Erstein polder: objectives, management and feedback of five years of functioning and environmental monitoring (Rhine River, France)

Abstract

After a brief presentation of the Upper Rhine River and its engineering works, this paper presents the technical characteristics of the Erstein polder, a technical feedback and some results of the inter-disciplinary environmental monitoring after the five first years of functioning. The observed ecological benefits concern mainly hydrology, hydro-geology and chemistry of waters. On this basis, some preliminary recommendations are proposed for the future management of the polder.