Pioneer plants in the river region

Proactive habitat creation has resulted in more muddy banks along the large rivers. Pioneer plants like mudwort and small fleabane profit from this, especially in years with hot summers and low water levels.

Trends

Small fleabane and mudwort are pioneer species on the muddy banks of large rivers. Both species have expanded their distribution since the 1980s, especially the small fleabane. They profit from the increase in the area of muddy banks along the large rivers that has resulted from proactive habitat creation. The area increases in certain years, when the summers are hot and the water levels are low.

The numbers of small fleabane fluctuate greatly from year to year, in response to the summer temperature. However, the increase shown in the figure is partly attributable to the recent discovery of over 30 new locations of this plant, most of which are along the Waal. This suggests that the increase in suitable habitat is more structural. Thanks to its recent increase, the small fleabane has been taken off the Red List of vascular plants.