Dune slack restoration in Dutch mainland coastal dunes

Abstract

The 45,000 ha Dutch dunes are relatively well protected but they suffer from severe desiccation. During the last decade a lot of knowledge has been obtained about the steering processes of eco-hydrology in dunes resulting in well-founded schemes to restore wet dune slack communities. In two case studies a large-scale restoration of the landscape was necessary. Since 1987 in the North-Holland Dune Reserve the groundwater catchment has been reduced (from 8 million m 3 to 2 million m 3 per year) and the resulting development monitored. In another case, large-scale intervention on 35 ha of the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes in 1995 resulted in the restoration of active sand drift with opportunities for the establishment of pioneer vegetation. In small parts of the area, the surface has stabilised as a result of vegetation growth, but elsewhere drifting sand has spread and covered previously stable surfaces. Many wet to moist dune slacks developed and results relating to geomorphology, hydrology and vegetation are presented. Finally, in 1996 yet another project of 50 ha was carried out in the Meijendel dunes, in which infiltration ponds were removed to allow vegetation succession to develop from scratch. Results of these three case studies will be presented. If only hydrological restoration is carried out, sod-cutting was found to be necessary to restore the whole series of vegetation types of dune slacks. In two cases an area was denuded. The seed bank and surrounding slacks seem to play an important role in the success of restoration, this is especially true for the pioneer vegetation types. Future monitoring will prove whether critical (Red List) plant species will return.