Description
The map shows the natural value of wet and humid ecosystems in the Netherlands. The map is based on observed plant species (per km2) from the Floron Foundation database (Florbase-2N), combined with a nature value calculation using the model DEMNAT (Deltares) based on the degree of development. Areas of high natural value depend on the availability of good quality water to enable the development of rare species. This map is therefore an indication of areas where good quality water is available for aquatic and terrestrial nature.
In the Netherlands, roughly five types of nature can be distinguished:
1. High sandy soils with forests and dry heath
2. Wet nature with high water levels such as the IJsselmeer, the weather ribs and surface water-fed peat lakes.
3. Swell-dependent nature that can often be found in stream valleys.
4. Flooding nature, such as the floodplains in the river area.
5. Dunes and beaches
Aquatic nature is found in types 2 and 3.
Swell-dependent nature is bound to high groundwater levels and groundwater with a specific chemical composition (bases rich and uncontaminated). The seepage-dependent nature reserves are mainly found in stream valleys, but also in other areas where there is a seepage situation, such as along the Hondsrug, the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and the Veluwe where nature is influenced by the groundwater.
Other systems that are highly dependent on the groundwater situation are raised bogs and fens. In the dune areas, too, nature is often dependent on specific influences from groundwater. In many seepage-dependent nature there is dehydration and acidification due to too low groundwater levels in the surrounding area (due to drainage) or due to groundwater abstractions (Aggenbach, 2005, Witte et al. 2007).
Also, in aquatic ecosystems there can be desiccation when too much water is discarded, to surrounding drained area with lower water levels. To compensate for this, foreign water is introduced, which often does not have the desired quality. Fertilisation by nutrient-rich groundwater or surface water is common in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. All these bottlenecks lead to a decline in biodiversity (Aggenbach, 2005, Witte et al. 2007).
Several ecosystem services use the same water supply. For aquatic nature (rivers, streams, ditches and creeks) it is important that sufficient water of good quality is present. Available groundwater resources play a crucial role in this, not only for the supply of sufficient water, but also of the right quality. The capacity of these stocks decreases due to use for other ecosystem services, such as abstractions for irrigation and drinking water (Figure 1). Other developments that affect groundwater levels and rising altitudes, such as (increased) drainage in agricultural areas, can also have a major limiting effect on seepage-dependent nature.
Resources
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https://data.rivm.nl/data/ank/DANK002_aquatische_natuur.zip |
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https://data.rivm.nl/geo/ank/wfs?request=GetCapabilities |
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https://data.rivm.nl/geo/ank/wms?request=GetCapabilities |
Tags
- grondwater
- landbouw
- watervoorziening
- beregening