Ecosystem quality, 2012

Many qualifying species in sand dune ecosystems

Besides the national average trend in ecosystem quality (see link below this paragraph), information is given on ecosystem quality in different areas. This quality is based on the number of qualifying species (butterflies, plants and birds) present in the natural areas. The ecosystem quality in about 30% of the total natural area is higher than the median number of observed qualifying species. In these areas more than 50% of the maximum number of qualifying species are found in all the different management types. Open dune habitats contain the largest area with relatively high numbers of qualifying species and therefore have retained more of their biotic quality than other habitat types. Semi-natural grassland and marsh ecosystem types contain large areas with few qualifying species and therefore have a relatively low quality.

• Trend in quality of natural habitats

Greatest decline in heathland ecosystem quality

The changes in the area with high ecosystem quality were determined by comparing the period 2006-2012 with the previous period (2000-2005), which shows that the size of the area with a high number of qualifying species is still declining. Heathland ecosystems are particularly affected by a declining area with a high number of qualifying species and the area with a low number of these species is increasing.

Reasons for the limited area with high ecological quality

Land reclamation, agricultural intensification and a reduction in the influence of sea and river dynamics have led to a reduction in geophysical diversity in space and over time, and therefore also in the biodiversity of ecosystems. Places with an above average number of qualifying species are found mainly in the larger natural areas, such as the dunes, the Veluwe and a few larger marsh and heathland areas. The high ecological quality in these areas is due mainly to the variation in water, environmental and land use conditions, caused, for example, by the presence of relief and dynamic landscape-forming processes. A greater degree of spatial connectivity and better environmental conditions where disturbing land uses and activities are further away also helps to improve ecosystem quality. There are also regional differences in the pressures on the environment, while habitats on nutrient-poor sandy soils are much more sensitive to eutrophication and acidification than those on clay soils. All these factors have a major influence on the presence of qualifying species and therefore on the differences in ecological quality. It is expected that management measures will lead to an increase in the area with a high number of qualifying species, and therefore a higher than average ecological quality.

• Spacial connectivity of the National Ecological Network
• Environmental quality of surface water and natural areas

Ecological quality a measure of policy success

In the Nature Pact (Natuurpact) the national and provincial governments have agreed to raise ecological quality through more intensive restoration and management measures to improve water and environmental conditions. The Nature and Landscape Management Subsidy System (SNL) supports the maintenance and improvement of ecological and landscape quality in the Netherlands. The provinces are responsible for implementing nature policy and need to know whether or not the desired ecological quality (policy targets) can be achieved via the SNL. National government needs information about ecological quality within the National Ecological Network. The method for assessing ecological quality is set down in the 'monitoring and evaluation methodology' (WMBN). One of the indicators of ecological quality used in the WMBN is the presence of specific plant and animal species, or qualifying species. At the moment data is being assembled according to the WMBN methodology, but the data required to describe ecological quality according to this methodology are not yet available. The method currently being used is therefore an approximation of the WMBN methodology.

• Nature and landscape index