The grass snake on the banks of the IJmeer
Concreted banks sometimes harbour unusual animal species, like the grass snake. But the grass snake population on the banks of the IJmeer is under threat from the expansion of Amsterdam.
Trends
The grass snake population on the banks of the IJmeer has been stable since 1994. Here, the landscape of old dikes combined with swamps and grassland is an ideal habitat for the grass snake. In winter, the snakes like to hibernate in crevices on the sheltered side of the dikes, nearest the water. The grass snake has profited from the impact of on-farm nature conservation, improved water quality and targeted measures such as the provision of incubation heaps where the females can lay their eggs.
The population is at risk from road construction and the expansion of Amsterdam. The development of the IJburg residential area has destroyed much of the snake's habitat and has fragmented its population. Compensatory measures have included the construction of suitable habitat alongside the IJsselmeer (near Durgerdam) and the creation of breeding places (incubation heaps).
The grass snake is on the Red List of reptiles and amphibians.
Technical note
The grass snake population on the banks of the IJmeer is concentrated in the Vechtplassen area, in the Gooi and around Amsterdam. The data are from the Ecological Monitoring Network's national network for monitoring reptiles.
References
- Zuiderwijk A., P. de Wijer en I. Jansen (1999). Ringslangen en IJburg: teloorgang van een metapopulatie. De Levende Natuur, 100(6): 214-219.
