Nature for people, people for nature
Ecological networks are a main part of Dutch nature policy. In 1990 the first nature policy plan was launched. In 2000 the second one was agreed by parliament with the title: Nature for people, people for nature.
In this chapter you can find information about ecological networks in policy and practice.
Introduction
Information about nature in The Netherlands, development of coherent ecological networks, Pan-European Ecological Networks (PEEN), Natura 2000, Habitat Directive, Birds Directive, grazing and grazing animals (large herbivores).
Why this website? Internet is a fast growing medium to spread and share information and experiences. Since a few years my website about Dutch nature policy, ecological networks and grazing animals brought me a lot of contacts over Europe and even over the other parts of the world. It proved to be an appropriate tool for building a nice network of interested people.
The Netherlands is a small country with 16,000,000 inhabitants on about 3,500,000 ha. This brings us directly to the question: is there still room left for nature? My answer is yes, there is. I hope this website will convince you that this answer is right. But nature in The Netherlands is not standing alone. It is a part of European nature, and European nature is part of a global nature. That’s the reason that I also have some pages about nature in other parts in Europe.
For more informatiion, see: http://www.minlnv.nl/portal/page?_pageid=116,1640321&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&p_file_id=21686
The Netherlands: many people and little space
Nature in the Netherlands is characterised by a large variety of natural and semi-natural ecosystems within a short distance from one another. This variation is typical of the Dutch countryside that has formed as a result of the interaction between man and nature. The Dutch countryside is an inextricable part of a larger whole. The Netherlands is, for example, a junction of many migratory bird routes, whereby our nature areas form an essential and indispensable link for the protection of birds.
In a densely populated country as the Netherlands space is a scarce commodity. We want to have many people living, working and recreating in a small area – largely below sea level. At the same time we want to protect and maintain the biodiversity, also for generations to come.
From 1990 to 2001 and upwards
Dutch nature policy is based on the National Nature policy Plan, which is agreed by parliament in 1990. One of the most important aspects of this policy document is the Ecological Network. After the first decade this policy was reviewed and actualised in the second policy plan: Nature for people, people for nature.
This policy plan for nature, landscape, flora and fauna in the 21st century was agreed by our parliament in January 2001. Now we are 5 years further in the progress and the next mile stone was the acceptation of the Dutch ecological network in the national Spatial Planning Strategy, in April 2004. The execution of our national ecological network is thus in progress.
Indicative map of the Pan-European Ecological Network in South-Eastern Europe
In recent years interest in the concept of ecological connectivity in general, and ecological networks in particular, has increased considerably, partly because of the growing concern about the impacts of climate change on Europe’s biodiversity. The Pan-European Ecological Network aims to link internationally and nationally protected areas and ecological networks with the goal to secure the favourable conservation status of Europe’s key ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes. This project contributes in particularly to the target set at the Fifth ‘Environment for Europe’ Ministerial Conference held in Kyiv, in May 2003:
“By 2006, the Pan-European Ecological Network (core areas, restoration areas, corridors and buffer zones, as appropriate) in all States of the pan European region will be identified and reflected on coherent indicative European maps, as a European contribution towards a global ecological network.”
The map and accompanying Technical background document can be downloaded here:
http://www.ecnc.org/IndicativeMapAndTech/Index_605.html