At the large

scale end of

the spectrum:

Meijendel-

Berkheide

Large scale vs. Mosaic management in dune grasslands

8-10-2015

Peter Spierenburg

Dunea

2

drinking water for 1.3 mln people

2400 ha of Natura 2000 dune areas

1 mln visitors per year

Dunea - drinking water and dune management

3

1200 ha of grey dunes in Meijendel-Berkheide

calcareous decalcified

4

Large scale dune rejuvenation projects

implemented since 2000

500m

“those men are

creating a pristine

landscape”

5

Large scale dune restoration projects

implemented since 2000

500m

2001 Berkheide & Meijendel (140 ha)

Objectives restoration measures

rehabilitation of former production areas

dune slacks in a dynamic landscape

white dunes

long-term development of grey dunes (>40 years)

Follow-up management

grazing

20052003

6

15 years later: fixation of white dunes and start

of grey dune development20082013

500m

7

2012 Meijendel (70 ha over 4 sites)

Objectives restoration measures

quality improvement existing grey dunes

long-term development of grey dunes (>40 years)

Follow-up management

mechanical removal of regrowth

grazing

Shift towards smaller scale

500m

First indications that grassland-sand mosaic will

develop from pioneer situation – if we are patient!

First indications of positive effect on existing grassland

Large scale is appropriate on disturbed sites

Towards smaller scale to improve quality of existing

grey dune grasslands

8

Lessons learned