Despite less acidification and eutrophication, and some alleviation of the impacts of lowered groundwater levels, environmental conditions remain unfavourable for many plant and animal species. Wildlife tunnels can reduce the fragmentation of wildlife habitats. But climate change is putting nature under added pressure.

Conditions for nature improved, but not enough for widespread recovery

Nature is suffering from some persistent environmental problems, such as acidification, eutrophication, water table drawdown and habitat fragmentation. In view of this, the approach during the last 15 years has been to improve land use and environmental conditions. Since 1990 the pressure on the environment in wildlife habitats and protected areas has decreased. The levels of acid and nitrogen deposition have fallen by 40% and almost 35%; nitrogen and phosphate concentrations in surface waters have also declined. But depositions are still too high to support the desired ecosystems. Water table drawdown remains a particularly persistent problem.

Excess nitrogen deposition on wildlife habitats is falling, but remains far too high for heath and forest ecosystems.

Fragmentation

Dutch ecosystems are still highly fragmented into small habitat islands. Nevertheless, many ecological links have been created, from small wildlife tunnels under roads to large wildlife bridges. Surveys show that almost all wildlife passages are used by more than one species of animal. The effect of ecological links at the population level are as yet unclear.

Wildlife passages, such as this tunnel under a slip road to the A28 motorway, are used by several animal species (photo: Mark van Veen).

Climate change

Land use and environmental conditions will become increasingly important as Dutch ecosystems and wildlife are affected by climate change. The growing season and rhythms of life are changing and plant and animal habitats are shifting. For example, birds migrating to Africa, such as the Pied Flycatcher, have difficulty in adapting their breeding season to the changing climate. But new species are also arriving in the Netherlands, such as tropical lichens.

Back to Nature Balance 2006           Trends in plant and animal species