Part of the Wapserveenselandenpad cycle path in the Holtingerveld will be closed from next Friday due to construction work. The cycle path will be closed until November 15, because road plates will be installed over which work traffic has to drive.
Nature restoration is underway around the Holtingerveld. According to Natuurmonumenten, the area has to deal with desiccation and ‘an abundance of nutrients’. “As a result, the soil becomes acidic, the heath becomes grassy and biodiversity decreases dramatically.” During the work, moist heath and raised bogs will be restored and expanded. “This makes the heath landscape more robust and resilient”, according to Natuurmonumenten.
Several ditches in the area no longer have good drainage. However, it still happens that precipitation sinks into the ground too quickly and the Holtingerveld dries out. Part of the heath is also soded and limed. “This way, an excess of nutrients is removed and old oilseeds in the soil have a chance to germinate again.”
The work is part of a multi-year plan of Natuurmonumenten to restore nature. With this, Natuurmonumenten also hopes for the return of rare plants and animals. “Wouldn’t it be great if species such as the bone-breasted brindle, the blue-belled gentian and the smooth snake – as indicators of a well-functioning ecological system – can be admired by all of us again in this beautiful and unique Natura 2000 site?”