In the municipality of Horst aan de Maas lies the Mariapeel, a protected nature reserve covering approximately 1,400 hectares. The area has been designated as a Natura 2000 site, a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive, and a Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats Directive. Additionally, it is an important area for recreation and tourism.
However, the area faces challenges such as drought, nitrogen deposition, and a general decline in biodiversity. Drainage, emissions, and the use of fertilizers in adjacent agricultural areas burden the neighboring nature. To preserve the valuable nature, agricultural practices in the immediate vicinity would need to change without losing their economic and cultural value. How can the energy transition, reduction of drought, improvement of water quality, and nitrogen issues become drivers for a more attractive landscape and a new future for the area?
However, the area faces challenges such as drought, nitrogen deposition, and a general decline in biodiversity. Drainage, emissions, and the use of fertilizers in adjacent agricultural areas burden the neighboring nature. To preserve the valuable nature, agricultural practices in the immediate vicinity would need to change without losing their economic and cultural value. How can the energy transition, reduction of drought, improvement of water quality, and nitrogen issues become drivers for a more attractive landscape and a new future for the area?
2022
Gemeente Horst aan de Maas
in cooperation with
Natuurverdubbelaars
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Mariapeel
Peatland Landscape
The Peel, once a vast peatland with peat layers ranging from four to seven meters thick, has been largely excavated. The remaining nature reserves, the Groote Peel, the Deurnese Peel, and the Mariapeel, are remnants of the original peat landscape. Peat extraction began on a small scale for personal use in the 16th and 17th centuries, with peat pits scattered throughout the area. From the 19th century onwards, peat extraction became commercially viable due to improved infrastructure such as canals and railways. Large-scale excavation led to the establishment of peat worker villages like Helenaveen and Griendtsveen.
Livestock Farming
Drainage and excavation made way for agriculture, supported by funds like the King William III Fund. Heathlands and wastelands were converted into agricultural land and forests, primarily with pine trees for the mining industry. In the late 19th century, artificial fertilizers made sandy soils fertile, enabling intensive livestock farming.
World War II
The Peel-Raam Line, constructed in 1939, protected the area during World War II. Appreciation for the remaining natural area has increased due to changing societal views on nature conservation. Despite pollution and past destruction, the Peel is now a protected and valued nature reserve with unique qualities of tranquility and space.
The Peel, once a vast peatland with peat layers ranging from four to seven meters thick, has been largely excavated. The remaining nature reserves, the Groote Peel, the Deurnese Peel, and the Mariapeel, are remnants of the original peat landscape. Peat extraction began on a small scale for personal use in the 16th and 17th centuries, with peat pits scattered throughout the area. From the 19th century onwards, peat extraction became commercially viable due to improved infrastructure such as canals and railways. Large-scale excavation led to the establishment of peat worker villages like Helenaveen and Griendtsveen.
Livestock Farming
Drainage and excavation made way for agriculture, supported by funds like the King William III Fund. Heathlands and wastelands were converted into agricultural land and forests, primarily with pine trees for the mining industry. In the late 19th century, artificial fertilizers made sandy soils fertile, enabling intensive livestock farming.
World War II
The Peel-Raam Line, constructed in 1939, protected the area during World War II. Appreciation for the remaining natural area has increased due to changing societal views on nature conservation. Despite pollution and past destruction, the Peel is now a protected and valued nature reserve with unique qualities of tranquility and space.
Nitrogen Deposition
The nature in the Mariapeel is under severe pressure. While the situation for animals such as birds and fish is still relatively positive, the flora, particularly the raised bogs and heathlands, is in very poor condition and faces a high risk of further deterioration. The primary cause is the high concentration of nitrogen in the area. The amount of nitrogen deposited in the Mariapeel is about three times more than the raised bogs can tolerate, and in some places, it is even five times as high.
The main source of this high nitrogen level is the livestock farms surrounding the nature reserve. Especially on the west side of the Mariapeel, many livestock farms are established, and due to the prevailing westerly winds, the nitrogen from these farms settles in the Mariapeel. The livestock farming in the area needs to change if we are to preserve the unique nature of the Mariapeel.
The main source of this high nitrogen level is the livestock farms surrounding the nature reserve. Especially on the west side of the Mariapeel, many livestock farms are established, and due to the prevailing westerly winds, the nitrogen from these farms settles in the Mariapeel. The livestock farming in the area needs to change if we are to preserve the unique nature of the Mariapeel.
Drought
Additionally, the raised bogs are severely affected by increasing drought. In the 19th century, the groundwater level was artificially lowered to enable peat extraction. Subsequently, large areas were converted into agricultural land, and many ditches and weirs were constructed to make the water level suitable for agriculture. In the other parts (now nature reserves), portions of the thick peat layer were also harvested.
The defense canal long drained the water to benefit agriculture. In the spring, the area is drained so that heavy agricultural machinery can access the land. During the dry summer months, this cannot be replenished with rainwater, so external water is brought in via the defense canal, which is detrimental to the nature. With increasing weather extremes, however, this system lacks flexibility.
More stable and higher groundwater levels are needed to give the raised bogs a chance to survive. This is a significant challenge as climate change leads to even drier summers.
The defense canal long drained the water to benefit agriculture. In the spring, the area is drained so that heavy agricultural machinery can access the land. During the dry summer months, this cannot be replenished with rainwater, so external water is brought in via the defense canal, which is detrimental to the nature. With increasing weather extremes, however, this system lacks flexibility.
More stable and higher groundwater levels are needed to give the raised bogs a chance to survive. This is a significant challenge as climate change leads to even drier summers.
Guided by water and soil
"Link the nitrogen problem to water quality goals." This message was presented by the Dutch Water Authorities to the government at the end of June 2022. The provinces of Limburg and North Brabant also advocate for a unified vision to address water quality, drought, nitrogen, and climate change in an integrated manner. In other words, prioritize water and soil, and link the improvement of soil quality and water management to other issues like nitrogen and climate change.
The first step in improving water management and soil quality is to stop artificially maintaining low groundwater levels. By doing this, the area will become wetter, returning to the original water level of the Peel. This will promote the ecological restoration of the Mariapeel, make the area more resilient to extreme weather, and reduce the region's dependence on external water sources.
The first step in improving water management and soil quality is to stop artificially maintaining low groundwater levels. By doing this, the area will become wetter, returning to the original water level of the Peel. This will promote the ecological restoration of the Mariapeel, make the area more resilient to extreme weather, and reduce the region's dependence on external water sources.
Opportunity Map
Rewetting the area seems to be a good strategy to counteract the drought in the adjacent Mariapeel and improve the quality of the nature. The lowest-lying parts will naturally become wet first when the water level is raised. These areas are therefore the most suitable for the development of wetland nature. This could potentially be combined with the cultivation of bio-based materials for construction or aquatic food farming. The highest parts will remain dry the longest and are most (and longest) suitable for agricultural purposes. In the areas between the higher and lower parts, nature development with extensive livestock farming appears promising. Each sub area has its own type of land use:
Wet Marshland Areas
1. Wet Forage Crops- Wet crops that can be processed into animal feed include cattail (Typha) and duckweed. Experiments are also being conducted with the cultivation of wild rice and arrowhead for livestock feed.
2. Wet Raw Materials - Cattail is the most well-known wet raw material crop and can be processed into insulation materials, board materials, bio-laminates, and carpeting after harvest.
3. Wet Food Cultivation - Wet cultivation for human consumption has various forms, with the production of fruits (cranberries, blueberries, and cloudberries) being the most promising. The berries can be used fresh or processed into products such as wine, jam, and compote.
4. (Aquatic) Buffer Nature - Aquatic buffer nature is the overarching term for the natural areas between land and water. These transitional zones are used to store and retain water. Due to the retention capacity of the aquatic buffer zone, the burden on the water network decreases, resulting in less runoff water entering the waterways.
2. Wet Raw Materials - Cattail is the most well-known wet raw material crop and can be processed into insulation materials, board materials, bio-laminates, and carpeting after harvest.
3. Wet Food Cultivation - Wet cultivation for human consumption has various forms, with the production of fruits (cranberries, blueberries, and cloudberries) being the most promising. The berries can be used fresh or processed into products such as wine, jam, and compote.
4. (Aquatic) Buffer Nature - Aquatic buffer nature is the overarching term for the natural areas between land and water. These transitional zones are used to store and retain water. Due to the retention capacity of the aquatic buffer zone, the burden on the water network decreases, resulting in less runoff water entering the waterways.
Marshy Grasslands
Extensive Livestock Farming - This form of animal husbandry is characterized by relative small scale and low intensity. Compared to intensive livestock farming, it requires fewer inputs (feed, machinery, labor), thus reducing costs.
2. Silvopasture - In silvopasture, tree strips are planted in the pasture. Various types are possible: fodder trees like willows that serve as feed for livestock, or fruit and nut trees that can be harvested.
3. Production Forest - Forestry is a labor-extensive form of land use where trees are planted for later harvest. It differs from forest development for nature conservation as it is primarily planned for timber harvesting.
4. Food Forest - A food forest is a human-designed productive ecosystem modeled after a natural forest with high biodiversity and woody plant species. Parts of it (fruits, seeds, leaves, and stems) are used as food. In addition to producing food, food forests can generate income by facilitating educational activities and experiences.
2. Silvopasture - In silvopasture, tree strips are planted in the pasture. Various types are possible: fodder trees like willows that serve as feed for livestock, or fruit and nut trees that can be harvested.
3. Production Forest - Forestry is a labor-extensive form of land use where trees are planted for later harvest. It differs from forest development for nature conservation as it is primarily planned for timber harvesting.
4. Food Forest - A food forest is a human-designed productive ecosystem modeled after a natural forest with high biodiversity and woody plant species. Parts of it (fruits, seeds, leaves, and stems) are used as food. In addition to producing food, food forests can generate income by facilitating educational activities and experiences.
Dry Sandy Soils
1. Wide Crop Rotation - This agricultural model involves alternating deep-rooted crops with shallow-rooted crops that demand less from the soil (such as grains and fiber crops). A broad crop rotation (lasting at least 4-6 years) enhances the health and resilience of agricultural lands by reducing the spread of diseases and pests.
2. Strip Cropping - In this model, the farmland is divided into strips with diverse crops. This crop rotation helps to prevent the rapid spread of diseases and pests, unlike monoculture systems, thereby reducing the need for crop protection chemicals. With a well-chosen mix of crops, strip cropping can yield higher returns than conventional agriculture.
3. Pixel Farming - This model optimally utilizes farmland through spatial division. Each "pixel" of land can be cultivated with a different crop species (polyculture). Unlike conventional farming, pixel farming allows for the harvest of ripe crops while letting others rest until they are ready, leading to more efficient use of the land.
4. Agroforestry - In this model, crop strips are alternated with tree strips. It involves a mixed revenue model: annual income is generated from harvesting crops in the crop strips, while income from the tree strips depends on the type of trees planted.
2. Strip Cropping - In this model, the farmland is divided into strips with diverse crops. This crop rotation helps to prevent the rapid spread of diseases and pests, unlike monoculture systems, thereby reducing the need for crop protection chemicals. With a well-chosen mix of crops, strip cropping can yield higher returns than conventional agriculture.
3. Pixel Farming - This model optimally utilizes farmland through spatial division. Each "pixel" of land can be cultivated with a different crop species (polyculture). Unlike conventional farming, pixel farming allows for the harvest of ripe crops while letting others rest until they are ready, leading to more efficient use of the land.
4. Agroforestry - In this model, crop strips are alternated with tree strips. It involves a mixed revenue model: annual income is generated from harvesting crops in the crop strips, while income from the tree strips depends on the type of trees planted.
Peel Innovations
1. Solar Panels Combined with Soft Fruit Cultivation - Growing soft fruit under solar panels is a new example of dual land use. The panels provide protection against weather extremes such as hail, rain, and direct sunlight, while still allowing some light to pass through to promote growth.
2. Solar Energy & Nature Development - This combines a solar power facility with a nature reserve. The solar park includes wetland nature, natural riverbanks, and recreational areas, and is designed with ample space. The area is open to the public and not fenced off, allowing free access for walkers.
3. Extensive Grazing of Grasslands - To preserve valuable meadow bird habitats, maintaining openness, extensive grassland management, and minimizing disturbance during the breeding season are crucial. Grazers like horses can contribute to this effort. The installation of hedgerows, browsing paths, and other landscape elements can enhance biodiversity.
4. Recreational Stay & Landscape Farming - This concept combines nature, agriculture, and residential living in a unique way. Farmers create new natural areas on freed-up agricultural land and manage the small vacation homes that are installed.
2. Solar Energy & Nature Development - This combines a solar power facility with a nature reserve. The solar park includes wetland nature, natural riverbanks, and recreational areas, and is designed with ample space. The area is open to the public and not fenced off, allowing free access for walkers.
3. Extensive Grazing of Grasslands - To preserve valuable meadow bird habitats, maintaining openness, extensive grassland management, and minimizing disturbance during the breeding season are crucial. Grazers like horses can contribute to this effort. The installation of hedgerows, browsing paths, and other landscape elements can enhance biodiversity.
4. Recreational Stay & Landscape Farming - This concept combines nature, agriculture, and residential living in a unique way. Farmers create new natural areas on freed-up agricultural land and manage the small vacation homes that are installed.