As part of 'Wetlands: challenges and innovation in succession management', as the project is officially known, Staatsbosbeheer and Natuurmonumenten officials in De Weerribben and De Wieden will dig approximately 28 new peat holes and make more than 40 hectares of reeds and banks more attractive for marsh birds. New ditches will be dug to improve the water supply.
The use of more natural water management is also being investigated.

Quaking peat bog

The digging of new peat holes will initiate new land accretion processes that attract a huge variety of flora and fauna as they go through their different stages. Several peat holes will evolve into quaking peat bog. This stage of the land accretion process only occurs when conditions are highly favourable and is very valuable from a botanical point of view.

Sphagnum reeds

The acidic top layer that is left once reeds have been cleared is removed and new ditches are dug to improve the water supply. The reeds grow back in the water and the rare Sphagnum reeds are given another chance. Rare plants such as the yellow widelip orchid and slender green feather moss reappear amid the reed stems. The quality of the reeds improves and so does their economic value. A number of reed growers are involved in the project.

Old reed beds

Banks are being improved in many places and shrubs are being replaced by water reeds to improve the conditions for the marsh birds. The reeds are left to grow from one year to the next to create an attractive habitat for birds such as the Great Reed Warbler and the bittern, which build their nests in older reeds.

Natural water management

In the Netherlands water management seeks to meet the needs of residents, farmers, drinking water extraction and water sports. Significant differences in the water level are prevented by allowing water in during periods of drought and pumping water out during periods of heavy rain. In De Weerribben and De Wieden there is no shortage of water, but the fluctuations in the water level need to be more dynamic. Furthermore, the inlet water is foreign to the area and of lower quality, and causes characteristic species of marsh plants to die out.

Natuurmonumenten and the Reest and Wieden Water Board are currently conducting a trial around the Kiersche Wijde duck decoy with wider margins for the water level, which is being allowed to vary more considerably in this area. The effects on the wealth of flora are being closely monitored and documented in detail.