Embracing Fluidity

Abstract

Delta landscapes are formed of dynamic natural, rich systems built up over thousands of years. Over time, the Deltas have been converted to the will of. Their strategic position for trade and the fertility of the lands are, among others, two clear conditions for human benefit. But what man did not consider was that with this exploitation the balance of natural systems in the Delta would be disturbed, leading to a decrease of the Deltaic value. With the pressing issue of urbanisation, sea level rise, and increase of temperatures Deltaic areas have to rely on balancing the natural system with Anthropogenic interest. This problem applies also to the Mississippi Delta in a relatively short period it has lost a great amount of sediments to the Gulf
of Mexico causing a decline in size, which eventually resulted in a loss of local safety, economies, identity, and ecological value. This is a direct effect of the Anthropogenic system that has ignored the natural system. The rich history, the ecology, and the local economy need protection from future climate changes. A new attitude is needed to avoid more losses, not only of sediments but mostly of rich landscapes, ecologies and identity. An attitude where the natural system will be better understood and prioritized, where man-made interventions will be more in favour of increasing and maintaining this quite fragile and rich Deltaic system. Therefore a set of three main principles, supplying sediments, trapping sediments, and 0keeping sediments was established to direct an exploration of new ways of coping with the current problems and create new opportunities for the Deltaic system of the Mississippi.