Trees, branches and roots provide structures underwater. These structures create crucial habitat for specific species, such as algae, diatoms, fish and macrofauna.

Waardenburg Ecology conducts research into dead wood in rivers. Together with Rijkswaterstaat, we undertook a trial to anchor dead trees underwater in tributaries of the Rhine. The positive results of this research have ensured that returning underwater trees to waterways is now being implemented as a Water Framework Directive (WFD) measure in many places. In addition to the research, we have also drawn up guidelines for the placement of dead wood in rivers.

There are all kinds of variations on dead wood reefs being developed, such as the installation of branches in places where space is limited, such as in harbours. Wood can also be used intelligently to adjust processes such as sedimentation or erosion. However, not every method works equally well or for the disired period. Waardenburg Ecology has the knowledge to identify and develop the most effective method for each specific situation.