6th European Conference on

ECOLOGICALRESTORATION10 September 2008 | Ghent (Belgium)

Excursion MapEstuary of the IJzer

Excursion

Flemish Nature Reserve The IJzermonding

(Nieuwpoort, West-Vlaanderen)

10th September 2008

Boundaries of the Flemish Nature Reserve The IJzermonding (128 ha)

FLEMISH NATURE RESERVE The IJZERMONDING (NIEUWPOORT, W. Vl.)

1. Short description of the area 1.1. name, municipality

Nieuwpoort (province of West Flanders)

1.2. biogeographical region

Maritime phytogeographic district, Coastal Region

1.3. management authority

Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB)

1.4. protection status

Flemish Nature Reserve with an approved Nature Management Plant Entirely designated as nature reserve on the “Gewestplan” Entirely designated as protected landscape Immediately bordering a marine Ramsar area Southern part protected under the Bird Directive Entirely falling under the legislation of the Flemish Dune Decree (forbidding

any building activities) Entirely protected under the Habitat Directive with the following Natura2000

habitats present: - 1130 Estuaries - 1140 Mudflats and sandflats not covered by sea water at low tide - 1310 Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand - 1320 Spartina swards (Spartinion maritimae) - 1330 Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) - 2110 Embryonic shifting dunes (very sparse) - 2120 Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria

(‘white dunes’) - 2130 Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (‘grey dunes’) - 2160 Dunes with Hippophae rhamnoides

and at least the potential for habitat directive species - 1160 Triturus cristatus - 1014 Vertigo angustior - 1614 Apium repens

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1.5. ecological characteristics

soil type

calcium-rich beach sands, blond and grey dune sands, intertidal silty and sandy soils, all with low organic matter content ecological key processes

aeolian dynamics in the beach and fore dune area; intertidal dynamics at the beach and the estuarine part of the area, ecotones

characterized by salt-fresh water, silty-sandy, moist-dry and tidal gradients. historical information

The reserve is situated on the right bank of the narrow mouth of the IJzer river. Since 1600 (Battle of Nieuwpoort), but more pronounced so since the end of the nineteenth century, the area underwent a turbulent history as far as human inference with soil and topographic conditions is concerned.

Painting of the Battle of Nieuwpoort in 1600, (viewed from the north) showing the city of Nieuwpoort in the background, and a large sand flat (possibly a so-called green beach) and fore dunes along the right bank of the IJzer in the front. The battle grounds seems to be largely situated in the latter area, the present-day location of the nature reserve and the neighbouring military domain.

“La batalla des las dunos de Nioporte”,1600Escorial, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid

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1883

right bank of the estuary and dunes still largely intact

1933 several roads realized, intertidal area largely intact

1948 situation after WWII, with many bomb craters

1989 before nature restoration works, with tidal harbour, roads,

several buildings and a slipway

July 2002

situation during nature restoration works July 2006

three years after the last large nature restoration works

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The intertidal area along the left bank of the estuary vanished under hard substrates already some two centuries ago. Along the right bank the intertidal salt marshes were used for cattle grazing until at least the beginning of the twentieth century.

Grazing of the ecotone between salt marsh and coastal dune area on the right bank of the IJzermonding,

in 1904 (picture by Jean Massart). Since then, several building initiatives were taken, among which the development of a military tidal harbour, with large buildings and concrete roads after the second world war. Large parts of the intertidal and dune area were buried under meters of sandy and clayey slurry material. Large parts of the dune area were flattened. During at least the last century, the beach and fore dunes underwent a relatively constant period of sand erosion, motivating the building of a concrete and brick stone dike at the base of the fore dunes.

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important nature values (after nature restoration works were realized in 2003)

Primarily, the restored intertidal areas were colonized by large numbers of fast growing annuals e.g. Salicornia procumbens and S. europaea, Suaeda maritima, Spergularia maritima and S. marina. After two to three years, perennial species like Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima and Elymus athericus start to colonize newly created salt marsh. Expected species as Aster tripolium, Triglochin maritimum and Artemisia maritima are still scarcely found.

In total 239 higher plant, 20 moss, 3 lichen and 26 macro algae taxa are found in the reserve. The most prominent communities and plant taxa in the dune area are: Ammophilion arenarii (Ammophila arenaria) and Tortulo-Koelerion (Phleum arenarium, Tortula ruralis ssp. ruraliformis). In the salt marsh the following communities can be distinguished: Thero-Salicornion (Salicornia spp., Suaeda maritima), Spartinion (Spartinetum townsendii), Puccinellion maritimae (Puccinellia maritima, Halimione portulacoides) and Armerion maritimae (Juncus gerardii, Elymus athericus, Glaux maritima, Artemisia maritima). In the transition area of salt and fresh water Saginion maritimae (Sagina maritima, Plantago coronopus) and Atriplicion littoralis (Salsola kali ssp. kali, Cakile maritima) communities are found.

Following bird species mentioned in the European Birds Directive Annex I are frequently observed in the nature reserve: Sandwich tern (Sterna advicensis), pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) and common tern (Sterna hirundo).

15 macrozoobenthos taxa, 26 hyperbenthos taxa and 11 epibenthos taxa were found in the beach zone in rather low densities and showing a moderate biodiversity. In the intertidal, estuarine area 43 taxa (not all identified up to the species level) were found so far.

Invertebrates found in the salt marsh and dune area: 125 taxa of spiders (Araneae), 93 carabid taxa and 105 dipterid taxa.

In 2005 Triturus vulgaris larva have been found in the northern drinking pool.

important ecological constraints

Potential over- or “undergrazing” (due to limited grazing area and limited control of flock size): implementation of a periodical grazing management with accurate grazer densities. Grazing in winter and late summer is possibly the best choice to protect sensitive plant species and breeding birds. It remains to be studied whether other grazers then sheep (cattle) would be better suited for control of Elymus athericus and other rough graminoid encroachment.

The increase of ruderal, grassy, bramble and scrub vegetation (possibly related to increased atmospheric N-deposition) threatens biodiversity; regular control of both is important.

Coastal erosion of dunes, beach and artificial structures and the reducing extent of the elevated parts of the beach.

Intertidal erosion caused by dredging works and shipping traffic. Local sand accumulation (instead of silt accretion) at high-water level. Recreational pressure (mainly on the beach but also along public bike and foot

paths). Flood mark pollution by anthropogenic waste and large amounts of organic

material.

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1.6. ecological objectives for the area The most important general goal for the area is to restore or create and afterwards maintain as wide as possible ecotones of salt-fresh water, sandy-silty, dry-wet, tidal and non-tidal gradients in order to give chances to the normally accompanying biocoenoses. A second general aim is to avoid unnatural disturbance as much as possible; the area should at least maintain its primary importance as a bird resting and breeding area. The following habitats are among the target habitats: low beach: vegetation free, permanently wet beach, giving opportunities for rich macrobenthic communities and avifauna; high beach, among which embryonic, walking dunes; hard substrates, allowing a specific macrobenthic fauna and flora; fore dune with large areas of moving sand and spontaneous marram grass vegetation; open moving sand; calcium-rich moss dunes and dry to mesophyic calcium-rich dune grassland; open fresh water pools; stagnant open salt water pools; tidal creeks; mudflats and salt marsh; floodmark vegetation and embryonic dunes; saltwater inlets; rough vegetation dominated by Phragmites australis; Ruderal vegetations of dry, nutrient- and calcium-rich substrates

Lanice conchilega, a macrozoobenthic species of the wet low beach and of more or less sheltered sandy substrates, that can form important and substrate stabilizing reefs (www.habitas.org.uk)

Calidris alpina Calidris maritima Arenaria interpres

Some of the more important species of the avifauna of the IJzermonding

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2. Map with global management units

Beach and fore dune area (strand-zeereep) 68 ha Light-house site (site vuurtoren) 0,2 ha Northern management area (noord) 10 ha Southern management site (zuid) 45 ha Nature education site (site Mosselkot) 1,3 ha Creek of Lombarsijde (Kreek Lombardsijde) 4,4 ha

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Management unit Creek of Lombardsijde: no important management measures are planned; a nature education centre has since

the picture was taken in 2006 been realized immediately north of the Creek of Lombardsijde.

Part of the southern management area with dune and intertidal areas; grazed by sheep with a flock of fluctuating size; regular cleaning of flood mark accumulation is needed.

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The northern management area (grazing by sheep), the lighthouse site (no management) and the beach and fore dune area, in which several erosion limiting measures are being or will be taken together with the removal of artificial structures (concrete and brick stone dike)

Aerial overview of the Flemish Nature Reserve The IJzermonding at 23rd July 2006.

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3. Nature restoration and management initiatives taken

Objectives Restoration and preservation of the characteristic relief with a broad contact zone between the fresh water conditions of the dunes and the salt water conditions of the marsh.

Period Starting conditions 1999-2000 2000-2001 2002 2002-2004 2005

Starting point and restoration measures In the 1950’s the area was partly raised with clayey-sandy sludge originating from the fairway of the river IJzer and a marine harbour with buildings was built on the site.

- Demolition of 50.000 m³ of buildings, 14.000 m² of concrete roads and 3600 m of underground pipelines of the former marine basis.

- Removal of 8 jetties, 1,3 km

(20.200 m²) of embankments, a tidal dock and road infrastructure.

- Removal of 178.000 m³ of raised ground, from which 143.000 m³ of dune sand was re-used in the creation of dunes north to the former tidal dock.

- Re-use of clayey sods with dune grassland and moss dune vegetation at the edges of the former tidal dock.

- Removal of 250.000 m³ raised

soil in the southeastern part. From this approximately 58.000 m³ dune sand was reused in the creation of a seawall in the eastern part of the area.

- Finishing of the restoration

works, creation of dunes in the high-intertidal area, removal of 83.000 m³ of raised material in the southwestern part (between the old and new salt marsh).

- Demolition of the last building in

the area (‘Mosselkot’).

Management measures after nature restoration measures were taken

- Periodical sheep grazing management with fluctuating flock size.

- Manual removal of anthropogenic litter at the flood mark.

- Local periodic haying of rough dune grassland and cutting of scrub.

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4. References Herrier, J.-L. and Van Nieuwenhuyse, H. 2005. The Flemish coast: life is beautiful! In Herrier J.-

L., J. Mees, A. Salman, J. Seys, H. Van Nieuwenhuyse and I. Dobbelaere (Eds), p. 13-26. Proceedings ‘Dunes and Estuaries 2005’ – International Conference on Nature Restoration Practices in European Coastal Habitats, Koksijde, Belgium, 19-23 September 2005 VLIZ Special Publication 19, xiv + 685 pp.

Herrier, J.-L., Killemaes, I., and Noels, C., 2005. Purchase of dunes: the first step towards nature

restoration along the Flemish coast. In Herrier J.-L., J. Mees, A. Salman, J. Seys, H. Van Nieuwenhuyse and I. Dobbelaere (Eds). p. 55-68 Proceedings ‘Dunes and Estuaries 2005’ – International Conference on Nature Restoration Practices in European Coastal Habitats, Koksijde, Belgium, 19-23 September 2005. VLIZ Special Publication 19, xiv + 685 pp.

Herrier, J.-L. Van Nieuwenhuyse, H., Deboeuf, C., Deruyter, S. and Leten, M., 2005.

Sledgehammers, cranes and bulldozers: restoring dunes and marshes by removing buildings and soil. In Herrier J.-L., J. Mees, A. Salman, J. Seys, H. Van Nieuwenhuyse and I. Dobbelaere (Eds). p. 79-94. Proceedings ‘Dunes and Estuaries 2005’ – International Conference on Nature Restoration Practices in European Coastal Habitats, Koksijde, Belgium, 19-23 September 2005. VLIZ Special Publication 19, xiv + 685 pp.

Hoffmann, M., 2004. De monding van de IJzer in ere hersteld. De Levende Natuur 105, 188-190.

Hoffmann, M. Beheerplan VNR De IJzermonding. 2006 Gent, Universiteit Gent i.o.v. Agentschap

voor Natuur en Bos, Cel Kustzonebeheer, 154pp.

Hoffmann, M. (eindred.), 2006. Monitoring Natuurherstel IJzermonding 2001-2005. Gent, Universiteit Gent i.o.v. Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos, Cel Kustzonebeheer. 386 pp. + bijl.

Hoffmann, M. , Adams, S., Baert, L., Bonte, D., Chavatee, N., Claus, R., De Belder, W., De Fré,

B., Degraer, S., De Groote, D., Dekoninck, W., Desender, K., Devos, K. Engledow H., Grootaert, P., Hardies, N., Leliaert, F., Maelfait, J.-P., Monbaliu, J., Pollet, M., Provoost, S., Stichelmans, E., Toorman, E., Van Nieuwenhuyse, H., Vercruysse, E., Vincx, M. & Wittoeck, J., 2005. Integrated monitoring of nature restoration along ecotones, the example of the Yser estuary. Herrier, J.-L. Mees J. Salman A. Seys J. Van Nieuwenhuyse H. & Dobbelaere I. Proceedings ‘Dunes and Estuaries 2005’ - International Conference on Nature Restoration Practices in European Coastal Habitats, Koksijde, Belgium, 19-23 September 2005, 191-210. Oostende, VLIZ Special Publication 19, xiv + 685 pp.

Maurice Hoffmann, Jean-Louis Herrier, Marc Leten Tanja Milotic, Sam Provoost, Hannah Van Nieuwenhuyse For more information: please contact the ANB site managers: Jeanlouis.herrier@lne.vlaanderen.be Hannah.vannieuwenhuyse@lne.vlaanderen.be Marc.leten@lne.vlaanderen.be ANB, Zandstraat 255, bus 3 BE-8200 Brugge Or researchers at the INBO (Research Institute for Nature and Forest): Sam.provoost@inbo.be Maurice.hoffmann@inbo.be Koen.devos@inbo.be Kliniekstraat 25 BE-1070 Brussels

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