PCDitch metamodel

PCDitch offers help

At Witteveen+Bos we work with partners to create sustainable water bodies and a safe environment in deltas, coastal and river areas. With rising sea levels, subsidence and changing climate, we face major challenges. This requires smart digital solutions, PCDitch offers help.

Cooperation

Both the PCLake model and the PCDitch model were developed by Jan Janse (Janse, 2005). Both models have been further developed by Witteveen+Bos, STOWA, NIOO-KNAW, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and the WUR. PCLake has already been used successfully in several projects.

Image: Van Gerven, Luuk PA, et al. "How regime shifts in connected aquatic ecosystems are affected by the typical downstream increase of water flow." Ecosystems 20 (2017): 733-744.

Een schematische afbeelding van het ecosysteemmodel van PCDitch met daarin de componenten en processen

PCDitch Metamodel

This is the PCDitch metamodel. Use the sliders and input fields on the right side. Based on the expected water quality, the image on the left changes. Using the input you enter in the configurator below, PCDitch's metamodel estimates the expected water quality in your canal or ditch.

Sediment type
Water depth (m)

0.5 4
The average water depth
Flow rate (mm per day)

4 200
The sum of all incoming water flows. Consider precipitation and inlet.

Outcome critical P load (mg/m²/day)

123

Current load (mg/m²/day)
The current phosphate load in mg/m²/day

view result, scroll down

Result modelrun

The phosphate load is higher than the critical limit, a situation with duckweed is expected. De fosfaatbelasting ligt tussen de kritische grenzen, de verwachte toestand kan zowel troebel en algenrijk als helder en plantenrijk zijn, afhankelijk van de toestand waarin je start. The phosphate load is lower than the critical limit, a clear plant-rich situation is expected.

Critical limit
	mg P/m²/d
0.33	g P/m²/year
Residence time
days

Explanation results

The results give a first impression of the water quality at the values entered by you. It gives an indication of the water quality in your river or ditch. The kP stands for critical phosphate load. Of course, this raises more questions. Please do not hesitate to contact us. See the contact details of aquatic ecologist Bob Brederveld below.