brochure LIFE2012 engles.indd
Transcription
brochure LIFE2012 engles.indd
LIFE 06 NAT/NL/000074 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park A new life for the marshes www.wetlandchallenges.com CREDITS This is a publication of Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer. Information from this publication may be used provided the source is acknowledged. Pictures may only be used with the permission of the photographer. This report has been compiled with the utmost care. Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer are not liable however for any direct or indirect damage as a result of any information in this publication. This Layman’s report is an initiative of Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer and was completed as part of the European LIFE Project New Life for the Marshes ‘Wetlands: challenges and innovation in succession management’ the Weerribben-Wieden National Park (LIFE 06 NAT/ NL/000074). 2 Editing: Willem Miedema, Andries Stoker, Rosalie Martens, Lammert Kragt, Frankwin Scheve, Egbert Beens, Jeroen Bredenbeek, Jolanda de Kruyf en Roelof Tienkamp Translation: Ineke Touber Final editing: Marianne Velsink Layout: Martin van der Elst| Reclamestudio RISE ’N SHINE Photos: Philip Friskorn, Ronald Messemaker, Thijmen van Heerde, Willem Kolvoort, Jeroen Bredenbeek, Egbert Beens, the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer Project coordinator: Gabriella Esselbrugge|Buro DRIE Websites: www.natuurherstel.nl; www.natuurmonumenten.nl; www.staatsbosbeheer.nl Pulished by: Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer © Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer 12 / 2011 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park New Life for the Marshes ‘Wetlands: challenges and innovation in succession management’ The Weerribben-Wieden National Park In this tranquil world, formed by both nature and man, a vibrant dynamism bubbles below the surface Waving reeds surrounding a labyrinth of pools, lakes and water channels. Mysterious swamp woodlands and hay meadows. In summer, a colourful Dorado for man and animal, in winter, a tranquil splendour. Amidst this beautiful patchwork, picturesque villages lie hidden, Kalenberg, Ossenzijl, for example, and the A new life forGiethoorn, the marshes former Zuyder Zee town of Blokzijl. As the largest uninterrupted peat marsh of North-West Europe, the Weerribben-Wieden National Park is extremely precious; space, peace and tranquillity, its natural diversity, these are all attractive to its many visitors. It is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. But beneath that wonderful façade bubbles the www.wetlandchallenges.com vitality of nature: if left undisturbed, the Weerribben and the Wieden will be overgrown by aquatic vegetation, ultimately ending up in a monotonous marsh wood. And many plant and animal species will disappear. Continuing human intervention is essential to maintain the various types of landscape (all developmental stages from open water to woodland) and, consequently, the characteristic qualities of the National Park. This is Bittern done, among other things, through so-called cyclic management: hay meadows, reeds and floating fens are cut annually, as a result of which the development of woodland is halted. However, these measures are not sufficient to maintain the special natural values of the reserve. In the past five years, major conservation operations have been carried out with a 4.8 million euro subsidy from the LIFE Project and a contribution of (OBN) Survival Plan Forest and Nature; this gave the National Park an important boost for the future In effect by going back in time…. Kingfisher Large Copper 3 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park Formed by powerful interplay North-west Overijssel was once a vast and desolate marsh, formed by the powerful interplay of elements. After the last Ice Age (10,000 years ago), between the boulder clay slopes (the sandy levees near the towns of Steenwijk and Vollenhove) and the sand dunes in the lower areas, peat moors developed from plant debris and animal remains. The peat landscape changed when the sea level rose 3000 years ago and floods and gales gave the sea free rein. Large parts of peat were washed away or were flooded with clay or sand deposits. In the 13th century, simple dykes were built: the first intervention by man in natural landscape processes. Made by man The Weerribben and the Wieden form a cultural landscape. A special pattern of peat fields, peat holes and lakes developed centuries ago aslife a result A new for of human activity. The enormous peat land was a practically inexhaustible source of raw materials. When, in the 16th century, the demand for fuel rose, peatcutting became a serious occupation. The peat www.wetlandchallenges.com was extracted from the water where it was cut and dried for fuel. This resulted in a rectangular landscape of ditches (peat holes) and ridges (peat fields). The ridges were used for drying and transporting. You can see them everywhere in the National Park. The peat cutters were sometimes a little over-enthusiastic, particularly in the Wieden: which resulted in strips of land that had become too narrow. Severe gales made short shrift of them and this process led to the formation of large lakes. This even went as far as to cause a complete peat cutters’ village, Beulaeke, to disappear in 1775/1776, which is where Beulakerwijde is now. The Weerribben was more fortunate; it was here that the peat cutters started again later on. The peat cutters had learned from the mistakes they had made in the Wieden: the ridges were kept wider. At the beginning of the 19th century, peat cutting ground to a halt. The peat holes became overgrown and reed growing became the dominant activity, which would also determine the landscape. 4 the marshes Peat cutting The Weerribben-Wieden National Park protected by law - Priority area within the National Network of Important Ecosystems; - Formally designated in the planning as a protected nature reserve (land-use plans, regional plan, nature policy plan); - Weerribben (since 1980) and the Wieden (since 2005) designated as a wetland under the Ramsar Convention; - Birds and Habitat Directives areas, designated as a Natura 2000 area in 2005; - The Weerribben has been a National Park since 1992 (UCN category IV) and, together with the Wieden, formed a joint National Park in 2009; - The Weerribben-Wieden National Park was awarded the European Diploma for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas in 2009; - The Weerribben has been a European Diploma area since 1996, the Wieden since 2010; - The Wieden is largely in the ownership of the Dutch Nature Monuments Association (Natuurmonumenten); - The Weerribben is largely owned by Staatsbosbeheer (SBB). CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park Retrospective: First LIFE Project The LIFE Project, Restoration and demonstration project pSCI ‘The Wieden and the Weerribben’ was completed in 2004. Examples of measures implemented by Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer are the clearance of over-grown peat holes, the cutting of sods in dried reedland and the removal of woodland. The results for nature are clearly visible. Rare plants such as the Fen orchid (Liparis loeselii), Bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) and Marsh Violet (Viola palustris) and water plants such as the Water Lily (Nymphaea) and Water Soldier (Alloides stratoides) were seen again in the area. Marsh birds and the otter also benefitted from the extra open water. The experience and knowledge gained from the first LIFE Project were included in the follow-up project Wetland challenges and innovation in succession management. A new life for Largest in Western Europe With its 10,000 hectares, the Weerribben-Wieden National Park is the largest uninterrupted peat marsh of North-West Europe. The Nature 2000 area has a high natural value and is of great international importance. www.wetlandchallenges.com The National Park is an important priority area for flora and fauna with a specific connection to peat marshes. It has an abundance of water and marsh plants, for example, the Water Soldier (Alloides stratoides), the Flat-leaved Bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia), the Lesser Panicled Sedge (Carex diandra) and the Star Sedge (Carex echinata). The landscape is further defined by species such as the Marsh Orchid (Orchis praetermissa), the Greater Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus angustifolius), the Lesser Butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia), the Marsh Violet (Viola palustris), the Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), the Carnation Sedge (Carex panicea), the Common Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) and the Meadow Thistle (Cirsium dissectum). Some of the animal species found in the National Park constitute almost the entire Dutch population. Examples are the Large Copper (Lycaena dispar), the Norfolk Damselfly (Coenagrion armatum) and the Large White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis). But the marsh is also literary of vital importance as a habitat and breeding area for the European Weatherfish (Misgurnis fossilis), the European Bitterling (Rhodeus amarus), the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) and the Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris). Desiccation, acidification and eutrophication To ‘leave things as they are’ is not an option for the Weerribben-Wieden National Park as far as the conservation and development of biodiversity is concerned. It is absolutely essential that there is constant intervention in the natural processes because the National Park has to deal with three threats: desiccation, acidification and eutrophication. These three threats each have a negative influence on each another. The result is that normal succession – or changes in the ecosystem – is subject to heavy pressure. Poor water quality hampers the first step from water vegetation to terrestrialisation. Valuable early stages cannot move towards development and, as a result, threaten to vanish altogether. This, in turn, has consequences for the next step in the succession: the marshes calcareous marshes with Galingale (Cladjum marscus) and Water Reed (Phragmites australis). That is a biotope where reed and marsh birds such as the Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Savi’s Warbler (Locustella luscinioides) and the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) feel at home. In older and drying reed vegetation, the development towards rough growth and woodland progresses faster with plant species such as Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), Blackberry Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica), Larger Bindweed (Calystegia sepium) and young trees. The natural value of reedland and hay meadows is also diminished as a result of dessication (low water levels and the outflow of water to lower areas) and acidification (rainwater). A downward spiral: economically, the reedlands are becoming less interesting for the reed cutters. Not only is there less and lower reed, cutting is also becoming increasingly difficult. Continuing the current management programme will therefore become difficult. Aerial De Wieden 5 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Cultivated Landscape Weerribben-Wieden National Park We have come full circle In order to maintain the characteristic features of the area, urgent measures must be taken. By taking the area back in time, new life will arise in the marsh. Large-scale operations such as the cleaning out of over-grown bog holes, the removal of swamp wood and the repair of embankments are absolutely essential. As is cutting the sods of the reedlands and digging ditches to restore the wetland. And the perpetual and fascinating process of terrestrialisation can start yet again. Sunken plant material years years years Intervention Open water Floating water plants Cover of water plants Man intervenes in nature and makes it possible for new nature to develop in the new situation. Stage 1 In the terrestrialisation process, this is the stage of open water with natural embankments. Stage 2 This is the stage in which floating water plants are found in large parts of the water such as the Water Lily, Frogbit and Pondweed. Stage 3 The water is totally covered over by water plants. These water plants contain herbacious plants such as the Water Plantain, Slender Sedge and Menyanthes. man in Open water with natral embankments A new life for the marshes www.wetlandchallenges.com FROM MARSH 6 WE HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE TO WATER CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park the Weerribben. The top layer of the increasing vegetation mat has been removed. Additionally, 10 kilometres of new ditches and trenches were dug to improve the discharge and supply of water. Opportunities for existing vegetation have now been restored and constitute a fertile biotope for the Fen Orchid (Liparis loeselii), the Slender Sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), the Star Sedge (Carex echinata), the Marsh Lousewort (Pedicularis palustris) and the Scorpidium Moss (Scorpidium scorpioides). Nature Sunken plant material Natural landscape Sunken plant material years years Culture Floating fens Reed vegetation mats Deciduous swamp wood These plants have formed a thick root blanket in this stage. It is possible to walk on this type of vegetation. There is still water below the blanket of roots. When you walk across this blanket, it moves. The water below the floating fen is almost fully-terrestrialised, but the bed is still very wet. Nature provides a rich variety of species and a shelter for birds and game. It is essential to intervene in nature because the succession will continue and will finally become woodland. A choice must be made. Let nature develop into a swamp wood with high natural values without intervention or recreate open water after which succession can start again. n intervenes and takes the development back to where it started. - Construction of 20 hectares of new bog holes in the Weerribben. Enclosed wood landscape has been changed into open marsh area in such a way that there is now plenty of space for the Black Tern (Childonaris niger), the Curlew (Numenius arquata) and the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus).. - 5 hectares of woodland in the Weerribben has A new life for the marshes What have we actually achieved with LIFE? The ‘make-over’ of the marsh is a mammoth operation. Sod cutting, digging, felling, clearing. Major conservation operation for the future. The results in a nutshell: www.wetlandchallenges.com - Restoration of 19 hectares of floating vegetation mats in the Wieden, on the threshold between land and water. Floating vegetation mats are given space at the expense of unwanted growth such as birch, willow and alder. Newlydug channels improve the supply of water. - Restoration of 8 hectares of terrestrialisation stages in the Wieden. New bog holes and channels are currently forming the basis for the further development of floating fens, wet and bog-moss reedlands. Good news for underwater plants, but typical marsh birds also benefit: the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), the Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), the Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus), the Savi’s Warbler (Locustella luscinioides) and the Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus). In the shallower areas, a number of Dragonfly and Frog species are again settling in and reproducing. - Sod cutting of 40 hectares of floating fens and bog moss reedlands in the Wieden and been transformed into reedland. Another 9 hectares of woodland, thicket and vegetation has been removed. Steep embankments have been levelled out to create a gradual transition for plant species such as the Water Reed (Phragmites australis) and the Greater Water Dock (Rumex hydrolápathum). It is an optimal breeding biotope for dragonflies (the Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) and the Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva)) and an ideal breeding and foraging area for reed and marsh birds. The plant-rich embankments are also extremely suitable as a habitat for the Large Copper (Lycaena dispar). LIFE in brief The total marsh area combining the Weerribben and the Wieden covers 10,000 hectares. Around 123 hectares directly benefit from the LIFE interventions. The indirect, positive effects – less desiccation as a result of improved water supply – are infinitely greater: approximately 1200 hectares of nature have received considerable benefit 7 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park LIFE Restoration Cycle Opening up A new life for the marshes Open water Forbs reedland www.wetlandchallenges.com Woodland/thicket bog heath Bunt (Molinia caerulea) reedland Formation of vegetation mats peat moss reedland Water reed Nutrient-rich wet reedland Floating fen reedland Marsh marigold reedland Sod g LIFE Restoration management Regular management Mowing 8 in Wett ing ench g/ tr cuttin CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park A new life for the marshes www.wetlandchallenges.com Measures LIFE The Wieden Measures LIFE The Weerribben Initial situation Clearing the woodland Big intervention in Groot Erve after clearing the woodland 9 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park Water: elixir of life Customised work in the marsh Water: An elixir of life that our natural marshland cannot do without. The Weerribben and the Wieden have enough of it. Or perhaps not...? It is necessary to maintain a balance, because, in this country, the water level is regulated artificially: high in summer, low in winter. This is the exact opposite of the naturally-regulated water level. Moreover, water-level control is adjusted during short wet or dry periods, as a result of which characteristic marsh plants are in danger of disappearing. A diverse and vulnerable area such as the Weerribben and the Wieden requires tailor-made measures. But also an affinity and creativity among those actually doing the work. Managers must be able to combine their knowledge of the area with the technical know-how of the contractors, because their ability to work on the small, sometimes difficult-to-reach plots of hay meadow and reedland, woodland and water is limited. And yet, this is exactly where people have successfully pioneered and collaborated. The LIFE Project has been successful mostly as a result of innovative working methods and machinery such as the floating marsh cranes, the shredder pontoon and the hydraulic dredger with shredder installation. Creativity and innovation Nature projects in the Weerribben and the A new life for the marshes Weir Kiersche Wijde Experimental ground Playing with the water level increases our knowledge about any possible effects of www.wetlandchallenges.com interventions on nature, which is the reason why the Kiersche Wiede (the Wieden, part of the LIFE Project) and ’t Jurries (the Weerribben) have been used as experimental ground since 2007. In collaboration with the Water Board, a more natural water level is being simulated here, with more flexible levels. Wieden require a great deal of creativity and lead to innovation. For example, Knoop Dredging in Tynaarlo has had special machinery developed. Innovative tools such as the ‘Waterkring’ amphibious digger and the shredder pontoon. Tours de force that are also applied in other countries in the world. Waterkring amphibious digger Kiersche Wijde Waterkring and the shredder pontoon 10 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park Life in and with nature Together, the Weerribben and the Wieden constitute a natural treasure-house in which – and this is remarkable – people also live, work and recreate. Fishing, boating, skating: life in and with nature means that many residents from this area directly and indirectly depend on it, and also feel committed to its success. Before and during the implementation of the LIFE operations, intensive consultations were held with both the local population and local government. This meant that there was sufficient support for the temporary depots for the LIFE Project; these depots were necessary for the storage of dredged material (peat and plant debris). This material is reused to reinforce embankments and is employed in the development of new nature reserves. In many cases, natural results are immediately measurable. But LIFE is more than an investment in the A new life for restoration of nature alone. The project also generates a socio-economic stimulus for the region. It is good for extra employment in the reed-cutting and recreation sectors. Both the vitality of the area and the social support for nature in the surrounding area are increasing. www.wetlandchallenges.com The advantages listed: reed growing - Reedland that has been cleared provides a higher yield; - Conservation of valuable natural and culturalhistorical valuable craftmanship; - Leaseholders and reed cutters collaborate with managers, Municipality, Water Board and the tourist industry; - Innovation: state-of-the-art machinery, floating cranes, biomass projects (for the generation of energy) and new management methods; Canoeing the marshes Ice skating - Sustainability: reedlands are irrigated with a water pump powered by solar energy; - Synergy of knowledge: the nature management course makes the reed cutters more aware of the high natural values and their own role in the conservation of this marsh landscape Boost for recreation The recreation sector is one of the three largest economic pillars of the Municipality of Steenwijkerland. On average, 1.5 million people visit the Weerribben and the Wieden every year, either by boat, bike or on foot. Nature and ‘open-air museums’ such as Giethoorn, Dwarsgracht and Kalenberg provide recreational variety. Conservation and diversity of the landscape are therefore of the utmost importance for retaining the value of nature from the viewpoint of the holidaymaker. The higher the quality, the longer the visitor stays in the area, is the experience. Other people who are interested in the LIFE Project are the anglers and - to a lesser extent – the fishermen. The new bog holes are a breeding ground for fish, especially species such as Perch (Esox lucius), Tench (Tinca tinca) and Rudd (Rutilus erythro phtalamus). Reed mowing 11 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park Sharing knowledge: a matter of communication Much of the wide support base for LIFE is the result of the clear communication with all the parties involved, residents and visitors to the area. This is mostly done via publications in the regional and national newspapers, and by using the social media (Twitter, Facebook, blogs), via digital info channels (www.natuurherstel.nl, www.natuurmonumenten. nl) and through direct contact with farmers, reed cutters, and partners in the area. Visitors were informed about the LIFE nature restoration project through special exhibitions in the Visitors Centres of Staatsbosbeheer (140,000 visitors a year) and Natuurmonumenten (70,000). In addition, ‘work-in-progress’ trips to the various LIFE locations were organised for both residents and interested parties. During regularly-held boating trips, the A new lifethe for public were given detailed explanations about ‘how-and-why’ of LIFE. www.wetlandchallenges.com International symposium Over 75 guests from seven different countries attended the three-day International LIFE Symposium. The objective: to exchange knowledge and information and admire the successes of the project for themselves. A mix of theory and practice. Keynote speakers were Mr Hayo Apotheker (former Mayor of Steenwijkerland and former Dutch Minister for Agriculture, Nature Management and Food Quality), Mr Patrick Meire (Professor of Biology at Antwerp University), Mr Liro Ikonen (Project Coordinator and Reedland expert in Finland) and Mr Bart de Haan (Ecologist at Natuurmonumenten). On day two, the party went out into the field. The innovative machinery in particular attracted a great deal of attention the marshes LIFE symposium LIFE treasure digging Treasure digging Youngsters were also drawn into the project in a playful way. Children of De Rolpaal, a primary school in Blokzijl, could dig for treasure in the restored banks of the islands in Lake Giethoorn with the aid of GPS. Their future vision? Primary school children have written down what the WeerribbenWieden National Park will look like in fifteen years’ time. But will this image match reality? We will know on 7 April 2025 when the treasure chest of ideas will be opened. 12 LIFE field Excursion ‘Investing in nature pays’ Final conclusion of the networking day, the third and last element of this symposium. Interaction between field managers, contractors, consultancy agencies, local government and entrepreneurs. The info-market focused, among other things, on monitoring natural values and on new forms of contracts when tendering for nature conservation projects. Last but not least, old crafts such as thatching were demonstrated. CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park Knowing means annual monitoring Have all or part of the natural values been restored by the LIFE Project? Monitoring provides a valuable insight into the processes, which is why a survey is carried out and recorded every year. Flora LIFE stimulates the return or expansion of very rare plant species in the Netherlands and in Europe. For example, the Bog Orchid (Hammarbya paludosa) owes its comeback in the National Park to the cutting of sods in the reedlands. The wetter area (as a result of the newly-dug channels and trenches) gave an enormous boost to the Fen Orchid (Liparis loeselii). This tiny orchid is now seen in many new places. Other species that like wet feet are also on the increase: the Lesser Bladderwort (Utricularia minor) and the Flat-leaved Bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia), the Water Soldier (Alloides stratoides), A new life for the Pondweed species (Potamogeton spec.) and the Chaerophyte (Chara spec.). the marshes Fen Orchid Aquatic vegetation with flat-leaved Bladderwoort www.wetlandchallenges.com 13 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park Fauna Biotope and embankment improvement have turned out to be beneficial for the Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus), the Purple Heron (Aredea purpurea) and the Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris). Numbers are improving, species are increasing. In 2011, a brand-new dragonfly species was discovered in the National Park: the Dainty Whitefaced Darter (Leucorrhinia caudalis). Other species increased in number and benefitted from new open water; examples are: the Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva), the Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense), the Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) and the Large White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis). The immensely-improved water quality also offers viable opportunities for the otter, an animal that became extinct in the nineteen eighties. Since its reintroduction in 2002, 31 animals have been reintroduced and a healthy population of 80-100 otters is now the successful result. Great Reed Warbler A new life for the marshes www.wetlandchallenges.com Otter Large White-faced Darter Spectacular effects Spectacular effectsThe monitoring process is still fully under way. However, all the 2010 interventions in the Wieden have already been completed so that the data of the various locations is now known. Spectacular changes can be seen at a number of locations of the LIFE Project. A perfect example is the embankments of Lake Giethoorn; they have been made into a marsh and – after years of absence – are host to a Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) and a breeding Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus). We also see promising developments along the Kerkgracht (Church Canal): birds not present before the LIFE Project started such as the Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and the Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) are now very frequently spotted. The 2012 monitoring is expected to show the same positive developments in other, similar locations. The 2012 monitoring is expected to show the same positive developments in other, similar locations. 14 CHALLENGES And Innovation in Succession Management Weerribben-Wieden National Park The future: a challenge of this area is being cherished and further developed, so that generations to come will also be able to go boating, cycling and walking in quiet wonder. The abundance of plants and animals and the beautiful, varied landscape are considered to be well worth the LIFE investment. But The ‘New Life for the Marshes’ LIFE Project managing and maintaining top-level nature is cost 4.8 million euros and was made possible a form of top-level sport. It remains necessary thanks to subsidies from the European – also in the future – to create open water Community (40% LIFE Nature Fund), the Dutch for adequately ensuring the early stages of Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture terrestrialisation. and Innovation (55% Woodland and Nature Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer Survival Plan) and the Province of Overijssel accept that challenge together with partners (Area-oriented Policy Fund). Staatsbosbeheer such as the Weerribben-Wieden National and Natuurmonumenten financed 5%. Park and the Municipality of Steenwijkerland. Despite diminishing government subsidies, LIFE Nature is a subsidising body of the they will continue to look for new opportunities European Union that aims to support the and means to maintain the marshes. An implementation of Birds and Habitat Directives example is biomass: the energy produced in Europe. Together, the areas under the when cutting reedlands and hay meadows. directive form the Natura 2000 European A cutters new life for the marshes Working alongside the proud reed Ecological Network. and the local residents, the unique character Belterwiede De Wieden www.wetlandchallenges.com 15 Belterwiede De Wieden