Due to the persistent drought and heat, more and more streams and rivers in the Netherlands are drying up. Various emergency measures will be taken in the near future to help animals in distress. In this way, Natuurmonumenten, water boards and volunteers, among others, try to prevent animal species from disappearing permanently.
Fish and amphibians are taken from dried up streams and released elsewhere. Groundwater is also pumped up to fill streams. “Of course we prefer not to do that, it really happens in extreme need”, emphasizes hydrologist Wiebe Borren of Natuurmonumenten. “But in some places it is necessary to prevent species from disappearing.”
Borren hears stories from all over the country from foresters who see certain animal species disappear as a result of the drought. Whether that is temporary is not yet known. “They don’t know where the crested newt is on the Sallandse Heuvelrug”, he mentions as an example.
“He may have found refuge elsewhere and will return when conditions improve. Or the animals may move on to live elsewhere for good.”
Animals also moved to another place in the country in 2018. Even then, there was a major precipitation deficit and little supply of river water from Belgium and Germany. “In certain places, dragonfly species disappeared at the time and they reappeared elsewhere in the Netherlands,” says Borren.
“There’s a chance they’ll return to their old ground someday.” However, some species are also extinct. It is unknown which ones and how many.
Trees are having a hard time due to drought and nitrogen
In addition to animals, trees are also having a hard time now that more and more streams and pools are drying up. Just like in the dry year 2018, certain trees lose their leaves earlier than usual and go into autumn early. “Then spruce and oak trees died and that will happen again,” Borren predicts.
The drought is not the only cause of the problems. According to Borren, nitrogen also plays a determining role. “The nitrogen precipitation has weakened the roots of trees, making them extra sensitive to drought. They reinforce each other.”
Natuurmonumenten is very concerned now that a heat wave is imminent and the drought continues to increase. The consequences of the long-term precipitation shortage can already be seen in nature, says Borren. “We are now taking emergency measures, but there will come a time when they are no longer sufficient.”