Uncertainty analysis of habitat evaluation methods

In the Netherlands, ecological rehabilitation of rivers and lakes has a high priority in planning and policy for water and nature management. To assess the ecological impacts of rehabilitation measures, habitat evaluation methods based on the concept of Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) have become a standard approach. This approach consists of four steps of ecological modelling: ecotope modelling: spatial distribution of ecotopes, ecological units of which development are determined by hydrodynamics, morphodynamics and ecological succession; habitat modelling: size and spatial distribution of habitats for specific flora and fauna species; habitat suitability modelling: suitability of habitats based on the habitat requirements and preferences of the species reviewed; habitat connectivity modelling: sustainability of habitat networks by analysing the size and spatial distribution of habitats.