New nature areas in the Lake IJssel area
A number of wetland areas and areas for aquatic ecosystems are being created in the Lake IJssel area (IJsselmeergebied); 11% of the target set for 2010 has now been achieved.
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Current situation
The intention is for an additional 3000 hectares of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems to be created in the Lake IJssel area. At the end of 2001, 330 hectares had already been completed and work was ongoing on 1150 hectares.
Hardly any land needs to be acquired for nature development projects in the Lake IJssel area because the necessary land is already owned by the state. Creating new wetlands and aquatic ecosystems mainly involves making the transition between land and water a gradual one, with marshes and natural banks.
Policy objectives and implementation
Policy is intended to increase the size and quality of the wetlands and aquatic ecosystems in and along the major inland water bodies. One of the aims is to create 3000 hectares of new wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, with good access, in the Lake Ijssel area by 2010. This project forms part of the plans for extra wetlands and aquatic ecosystems in the context of ICES agreements
These new areas will involve the creation of bank and marsh vegetation and feeding and nesting areas for birds. The areas will also be used for recreation, particularly in the case of the more recent projects. Zoning for the development of the areas will be such that recreation and nature do not seriously hamper one another.
Effects
An evaluation of ten projects that commenced in or after 1989 on and have since been completed shows that unusual species of birds have increased in number virtually everywhere. These include the common tern, the black tern, the smew, the red-breasted merganser, the goosander, the sedge warbler, the little gull and the great black-backed gull. Some of the target species have not yet established, however, for example the bittern, the water rail, the spotted crake and the garganey (Lauwaars & Platteeuw, 1999).
Vegetation is also developing more slowly than envisaged, particularly reeds that require variations in the water level; the stable water level means that the areas are drier and more wooded than was the intention.
Technical note
In the figure, the target of 3000 hectares has been set at 100%. The information is from the Lake Ijssel Area Directorate of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (Directie IJsselmeergebied, Rijkswaterstaat).
References
- CIW (2002). Water in beeld 2002. Voortgangsrapportage over het waterbeheer in Nederland. Commissie Integraal Waterbeheer. Den Haag.
- Kernteam Natte Natuur (2002). Voortgangsrapportage Samenwerking Veiligheid en Natte Natuur 2001. Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuurbeheer en Visserij. Den Haag.
- Lauwaars, S.G en M. Platteeuw (1999). Een Groene Riem onder het Natte hart. Evaluatie van natuurontwikkelingsprojecten in het IJsselmeergebied. Rapport 99.030 Rijksinstituut voor Integraal Zoetwaterbeheer en Afvalwaterbehandeling. Lelystad.
- LNV (2000). Natuur voor Mensen, Mensen voor Natuur. Nota Natuur, Bos en Landschap in de 21e eeuw. Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuurbeheer en Visserij. Den Haag.
Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium
- A map showing the site of current projects with their status can be found at (only in Dutch): http://www.waterland.net (select: /natuurontwikkeling/Natuurontwikkeling in IJsselmeergebied (RDIJ))
