Ecosystem Explorer

Explore the biodiversity and ecological health of Dutch waterways. Click any grid cell to see species composition, diversity metrics and organism breakdowns.

Ecosystem Diversity
Grid Cell Detail
Click a grid cell on the map
Organisms
Select a cell to view organisms

Understanding Ecosystem Metrics

Shannon Diversity Index

The Shannon diversity index (H') measures species richness and evenness in a single number. It accounts for both the number of species present and how evenly individuals are distributed among them. A pond with 10 equally common species scores higher than one with 10 species where a single species dominates.

< 1.0 — Very low: degraded habitat, few species
1.0–2.0 — Low: limited diversity, stressed ecosystem
2.0–3.0 — Moderate: healthy ecosystem with balanced species
≥ 3.0 — High: excellent biodiversity, rich food web

Sampling Coverage

Not all areas in the Netherlands have been equally surveyed. Sampling coverage shows how much data we have for each 5 km grid cell. Well-sampled areas have reliable diversity scores, while poorly sampled areas may actually have more species than the data shows. Always consider sampling coverage when interpreting the diversity map.

Cyanobacteria Risk

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) thrive in warm, nutrient-rich, slow-moving water. During summer blooms they can produce toxins that reduce dissolved oxygen and drive fish away from the surface. High-risk areas (above 50%) may have lower catch rates, especially for surface-feeding species. Our risk score is based on historical water quality measurements from Rijkswaterstaat monitoring stations.

Why Ecosystem Health Matters for Fishing

Fish are part of a food web. Predatory fish like pike and perch depend on prey fish, which depend on insects and crustaceans, which depend on aquatic plants and algae. Our AI models show that areas with high Shannon diversity — a sign of a complete food web — consistently produce better catch rates. The organism breakdown for each grid cell reveals the specific prey species and ecological indicators that drive fish abundance in that area.