1. Dynamic Dunes 2015 – 8 October 2015
Workshop Dune grasslands and fauna
Dick Groenendijk
dick.groenendijk@pwn.nl
• Overview on some PWN
projects
• Some results on fauna
• Fauna related questions
2. Biodiversity hot spot:
• Lime rich ( ) & lime poor ( ) dunes
• C. 60-70% dune grasslands
• Natura 2000
• >50% Dutch species
4. • Conservation measures to stop effects of problems like high
nitrogen deposition, artificially settled dunes and fast
succession.
How to save all this biodiversity?
How to keep the balance?
• Doing already a lot and future plans (N2000, PAS, Life+,
etcetera) are asking much more action.
• Taking these measures can give rise to a feeling as if we are
constantly on the verge of losing biodiversity due to our
measures. Or are we regenerating processes in which our
biodiversity can increase even more?
5. Conservation Measures
Natural dynamic frontdunes
Dynamics: creating small blowouts and large scale management
in white dunes.
Grazing: different densities, different scale.
8. Noordwest natuurkern
Large scale dynamics > regenerating dune processes
Time aspect: c. >50 year development soils in dune grasslands
Can fauna keep in pace?
Discussion topic: “Too much emphasis on large scale rejuvenation processes may
give magnificent landscape views, however, without the important biodiversity.”
2011
2013
9. Small scale: creating blowouts
Idea is not new……………….
Principle:
Especially in the countryside
10. Small scale dynamics
• Due to human activities, declining rabbit populations and
increasing N-deposition, small scale dynamics disappeared;
• Creating small scale blowouts are known measures in a
programme counteracting the negative effects of nitrogen in the
Netherlands (PAS);
• First results show positive results.
14. Counts on insects and arthropods:
small scale versus large scale reactivation
Small scale blowouts
at Westerberg 2013
Large scale dynamics
at Houtglop 2014
Countings after one year Countings after two years
15. Counts on insects and arthropods: small scale versus large scale
High impact of scale on
insect densities
On average factor 10
difference
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
total
Averagenumberofindividualsper100m2perday
large scale
small scale
16. Ook kleinschalig: aanleg stuifkuilenDynamics
• Small scale dynamics > important in dune grasslands
• Large scale dynamics > important in recovering large
scale processes
• Insect fauna react swift and in small scale blowouts
• Specialist species needs more time
• In large scale rejuvenation projects much slower recovery
of insect populations
20. • Heterogeneity is thus very important; every type of
vegetation is home for different insects and, therefore, for
different insectivorous predators.
Conservation measures and fauna in dune grasslands
• Gradient rich mosaic structure including dynamic parts, stable
parts with short and tall vegetation and scrub preferably over
large areas.
22. Discussion on objectives
Too much emphasis on large scale rejuvenation processes
may give magnificent landscape views, however, without the
important biodiversity.
External factors are more important: nitrogen
deposition, toxic substances (like dioxins), climate
change. We can not change these external factors.
Taking measures will not help to stop decreasing
fauna trends.
There are already many projects in our dunes and more is
expected. Our fauna needs recovery time and rest!