Designation of the National Ecological Network (terrestrial)

The Dutch provinces have designated the National Ecological Network almost completely, although each of them has adopted its own approach.

Current situation

The provinces have now designated the National Ecological Network (Ecologische Hoofdstructuur, EHS) almost completely. The EHS consists of both existing and new nature areas (see first map) and management areas (see second map). The maps cover nature areas existing in 1990, new nature areas, the ecological corridors (insofar as designated) and 90 000 hectares of nature management areas.

When designating management areas, within which contracts can be concluded for agrarian nature management, some provinces have decided on a "roomy" approach.

In addition to the terrestrial EHS discussed here, major water bodies such as the Wadden Sea, Lake IJssel, the Zeeland delta and the North Sea have been designated part of the National Ecological Network.

Implementation

The process of designating the EHS was initially covered by land development projects and later by an area-specific policy. In selecting the designated areas, account was taken as far as possible of current and potential natural features ("nature values"). A number of provinces also took account of water management in the areas concerned.

The "roomy" approach adopted by some provinces has the advantage that the maximum possible number of management agreements can be concluded with farmers. The disadvantage is that the areas with management agreements do not then contribute by definition to reducing the fragmentation of nature areas or to decreasing the pressure on the natural environment. It is consequently unclear at the present time whether the contracts will in fact make it easier to achieve the EHS target for agrarian nature management.

The robust nature links referred to in the "Nature for People, People for Nature" memorandum (Natuur voor Mensen, Mensen voor Natuur) are also components of the EHS but have yet to be designated.