Focus op biogeochemie – deel 6. Natuurontwikkeling op landbouwgrond: herstelmaatregelen

Previous papers in the series ‘Focus on biogeochemistry’ handled over
causes for acidification and eutrophication and consequences for bio-
diversity. It was concluded that in order to restore species-rich habitat-
types, biogeochemical properties should be taken into account. Next to
restoring the hydrology, nutrient removal is often at hand. In this pa-
per, we focus on which nutrient depleting techniques nature managers
can use for habitat restoration on ex-agricultural fields. It is not likely
that mowing and removing nutrients with hay and P-mining are at-
tainable measures to recreate nutrient-poor habitat types on intensively
used agricultural fields. Topsoil removal, a more severe technique with
risks for acidification, is recommended in those cases. Else, a change of
targeted habitat-type is necessary. Phosphorus-mining is a technique
to be used in fields where the nutrient stock to be removed is relatively
small. A transition period from P-mining to mowing with hay removal
would be optimal because with the latter technique also biotic restora-
tion can start with, if necessary, reintroduction of species through hay
transfer or seeding. Species-rich habitat-types should be primarily re-
stored on fields that were not fertilized as severely.