“Healthy Heath” - Propagation and development of dry, moist and wet heath in the Dwingelderveld SPA and pSCI

Dwingelderveld is a nature reserve part of the Natura 2000 network in the north-eastern Dutch province of Drenthe the largest remaining continuous wet heathland in western Europe. The area contains expansive areas of moist heath, fen-bogs, acid fens, active raised bogs, dry heath etc. However, dehydratation, acidification and eutrophication have caused serious threats to the vulnerable habitat types within the park area. The project aims to restoring the natural water balance over 1100 ha of Dwingelderveld, and to transform the Noordenveld. The project undertakes actions including combating dehydration, eutrophication and acidification; enlarging the area of moist heath; improving the quality of acid fens, active and recovering raised bogs, depression vegetation, and species-rich grasslands; and reducing disruption to the animals and birds characteristic of the area. The ‘Noordenveld’ enclave is expected to be transformed into heathland, resulting in the extension of the area. Wetting of the area is expected to increase the area of moist heath outside the Noordenveld, the area of acid fens and the area of depression vegetation. This is expected to partially be at the expense of the dry heath. An acoustic fence is installed along the nearby A28 motorway, resulting in a suitable nesting and resting biotope of some 135 ha.