The province of North Holland is intervening to turn the tide. New measures should prevent the nature reserve from deteriorating even further in the coming years.
For example, the water level is being raised, the nature reserve is being made ‘wetter’, invasive exotic species are being combated and grids are being constructed to prevent feeding by geese. The province will also manage the goose population, which will reduce the number of geese in this nature reserve.
Exotics and eaten by geese
And that is necessary, because nature in the Naardermeer has been under heavy pressure in recent years. Clean water slowly seeps away through the dike, and climate change and nitrogen emissions cause the decline of aquatic plants and water reeds.
Large populations of geese also devour the young reed beds, preventing them from fully growing. In addition, invasive exotic species such as the American crayfish and featherweed ensure that aquatic plants disappear and water puddles turn into a mud puddle.
