PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Weerribben and De Wieden Natura 2000 sites are the largest and best preserved peatlands in the Netherlands. Covering more than 12 000 hectares, the 2 adjoining protected nature areas are the result of centuries of peat cutting and reed cutting. Their patchwork habitat of reed beds, sedge marshland, quaking bogs, marsh forests and open waters are home to a wide range of endangered wetland flora and fauna, including the fen orchid (Liparis loeselii), great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and large copper butterfly (Lycaena dispar).
However, their local survival is threatened by several invasive alien aquatic species (IAAS), in particular five listed under the EU Regulation on invasive alien species (IAS) which have spread alarmingly since 2020: fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana), broadleaf watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), curly waterweed (Lagarosiphon major), parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) and floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranuncoloides). Their rapid spread has led to loss of wildlife and vulnerable habitats that are protected by the EU Birds Directive and Habitats Directive, especially in clear waters with rich underwater vegetation, lakes with floating plants, transition mires and quaking bogs.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE-PeatProtectIAAS project aims to eradicate and manage all five IAAS, in order to safeguard protected and natural succession habitats in De Wieden and Weerribben peatlands, and to put in place strategies for the future management of the IAAS. It will do this by:
- mechanically and manually removing IAAS from infected areas and reducing IAAS cover to a maximum 2% of the site;
- testing best practices for controlling IAAS whilst protecting habitats;
- limiting the spread of IAAS by raising awareness among tourists, boat hire companies, and boat owners.
RESULTS
The project’s expected results are:
- removal of 550 tons of IAAS from De Wieden and Weerribben during the project duration and an additional 370 tons in the five years after the project end;
- IAAS contained to a maximum of 3.85 ha (baseline assessment 2022/23) or 2% of the total area;
- elimination of the need for mechanical removal, which can damage ecosystems;
- 856 ha of the total area covered by the target habitat types;
- 67% of site visitors aware of IAAS and their impacts;
- replication of activities in six other locations during the project, and in an additional five locations within five years of the project’s end.
