Vlietmonding - Connecting 3 Sites of Community Interest around the Hoeksche Waard for Root Vole

The project aim is to create an important stepping stone of 13,5 hectares on the south bank of the river Oude Maas. It directly increases the area by ca. 8% of optimal and suitable habitat for the root vole. More importantly, the stepping stone enables relatively isolated subpopulation of the root vole living along the banks of the river Oude Maas to enter the Hoeksche Waard island & to connect the other isolated subpopulations in Haringvliet, Hollandsch Diep and Groote Gat, thus strongly reducing fragmentation & isolation. Following land purchase, 2 patches of agricultural land along the Vliet creek mouth are converted into a nature reserve. A regime of water management is implemented in accordance with the specific requirements of the root vole, allowing higher dynamics in water levels, wetter circumstances in general and in winter in particular. Dikes,culverts, dams and ditches are constructed to retain the water. The management of the vegetation is very extensive, just enough to create optimal habitat for the root vole. Information is given to stakeholders and the general public to win support.