Council of Europe

Boschplaat Nature Reserve

---

Terschelling is the middle island of the five inhabited Wadden Sea islands. It is 30 km long and 3-4 km across. Although part of its western half is developed for tourism, the eastern third- De Boschplaat- is an uninhabited nature reserve.

For information:
Staatsbosbeheer Region Fryslân
P.O. Box 1726
NL-8901 CA Leeuwarden

Website
EUNIS factsheet

Weeribben Nature Reserve

---

The present landscape of De Weerribben originated from the extraction of peat. Now it is a significant region because of the various stages in the natural development from open water to carr woodland. The region has a wide diversity of environments varying from open water, reed land, hayfields and carr woodland. Each environment with its own specific type of vegetation: a suitable habitat for a wide variety of wildlife: mammals, birds and insects. Water is the dominating element in the reserve. All prevailing plant communities and associated wildlife are related to the abundant presence of water.

For information:
Staatsbosbeheer
Postbus 1300
NL - 3970 BH Driebergen

Website
EUNIS factsheet

"De Oostvaardersplassen" Nature Reserve

---

The nature reserve "De Oostvaardersplassen" is an extensive marshland area with large landscape variations: from reed marshes to swamp forests and from grasslands to open water. The area is of a great importance to all birdlife. Both, breeding birds, migratory birds and wintering birds are observed. The natural site is situated in the newest polder of the Ijsselmeer area, Zuidelijk Flevoland, in the middle of what was once the Zuiderzee. The site lies about four metres below sea level. Since the first reclamation activities, the area has undergone a natural development. The land was never cultivated for agricultural or urban purposes as the rest of Zuidelijk Flevoland. A varied plant life, showing all the signs of a pioneer vegetation, developed on the clayey former seabed, now wholly or partially free of water. The variegation of open water and covered higher ground attract all sorts of vegetation and thus also all sorts of birds and other animals. Most remarkable is the large number of breeding birds in spring and summer, and moulting and wintering birds in autumn and winter. The area is internationally acclaimed as "Wetland" and also as "Special Protected Area" (EC Bird Directive). Special facilities for the public have been constructed in the eastern part of the area, for example bird observation huts, signposted walking trails, observation sites and a visitors centre.

For information:
Staatsbosbeheer
Postbus 1300
NL-3970 BH Driebergen

Website
EUNIS factsheet

Naardermeer Nature Reserve

---

Naardermeer is a marshland region of 1,080 hectares in the centre of the Netherlands. The region derives its greatest value from the fact that various rare breeding birds and migrating birds that can be found there as well as the rich variety of types of vegetation which are characteristic of a marshland area that is fed with seepage. Naardermeer forms part of the Vechtplassen region, which consists of various lakes and marshes for which it functions as a core zone. The nature reserve is bounded in the West, North and East by motorways, railways and cities. Cooperation with the authorities and other institutions is well developed to guarantee and to improve the quality of the area.

Website