Online twinning: Management of Nardus grasslands

Photograph Arnold van Kreveld

29 November 13:00-15:30 CET

About 30 years ago, Eurosite was born out of twinning. To this day, we still organise knowledge exchanges to improve site management. Are you interested in learning more about species-rich grasslands in Belgium and the Netherlands? Then please join us and register here.

The LIFE Nardus & Limosa project aims for the cross-border restoration of meadow-heathland systems that are rich in Nardus grasslands. Nardus grasslands (named after the characteristic mat grass, Nardus stricta) are restricted to nutrient-poor sandy soils with a little loam, making them slightly richer than heathlands. The specific environmental conditions favour rare species. One iconic example is the bird species black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa).

Historically, the management practices applied include mowing and grazing. However, restoration of the habitat type from intensively-used agricultural land is more challenging, with mowing alone being insufficient. Removal of the topsoil layer, holding excessive amounts of phosphate, is relatively destructive regarding soil biodiversity, seed bank and breeding grassland birds. Recent attempts have implemented phosphorous-mining (P-mining). By adding nutrients to the fields to be converted, biomass production is increased, and a boost is given to extract phosphorous. What are the (dis)advantages of this management approach?

For this online twinning, we have the following speakers:

• Lianne Schröder, Natuurmonumenten, the Netherlands, on LIFE Blues in the Marshes.
• Debby van Rotterdam, NMI-Agro, the Netherlands, on P-mining in the Roeghoorn.
• John Carey, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Ireland, on LIFE Corncrake.
• Joost Vogels, Bargerveen Foundation, the Netherlands, on LIFE Nardus & Limosa.
• Stephanie Schelfhout, Ghent University, Belgium, on LIFE Nardus & Limosa.

Please register here.