Natural Values and Functions
Local
The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes have a local importance for providing
nature and nature related recreation in a highly urbanised area
(see: Tourism and recreation). Walking
is one of the most important forms of recreation in this dune
area and it is fairly unique that people are allowed to wander
off the paths. Only a small area is prohibited to enter because
of water supply works or nature management purposes.
Regional
The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes are of special importance for
nature related recreation on a regional scale: 6 million inhabitants
live within a radius of 50 kilometres of this area. Each year
about 800,000 people visit the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes.
Since 1853 these dunes are used for drink water extraction. Water
supply is an important function for the Amsterdam Water Supply
Dunes and has been an important factor in preserving this dune
area. The current production is 70 million m3 water per year,
for approximately 1.1 million users in the city of Amsterdam and
the surrounding area.
National
From a landscape, cultural-historical and natural science point
of view, the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes is a dune area of exceptional
value. The dunes make up part of the core ecological areas of
the Netherlands and are protected by the Nature Conservation Act.
More than 50% of Dutch flora is found in this area (from which
10% are only found in this area), as well as almost 60% of native
mammals, including Roe and Fallow deer. There are over 100 subspecies
of breeding birds present in the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes,
from which 40 are Red List species. The area forms a habitat for
many animals: amphibians and reptiles (e.g. Sand Lizard), birds,
mammals, butterflies, dragonflies (33 subspecies) and ground beetles.
(see: Nature management).
The landscape of the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes shows a unique
succession of different landscape zones. Every landscape type
belongs to a specific period of existence (see: Geology
and genesis). The landscape types vary from the Old Dunes
with sandbanks to the young landscape types near the sea. Between
these two types a series of habitats can be distinguished that
become more mature towards the inner dunes (these are therefore
less calcareous and more vegetated). Every landscape type has
its own characteristic genesis, soil development and flora and
fauna.
Cultural historical values include archaeological material from
the Roman period, The Middle Ages and remnants of World War II.
International
The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes are protected according to the
EU Habitat Directive. The dunes form an important stopover site
for migratory birds on their routes along the Atlantic coasts.
As a nature reserve the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes are important
in a European context because it is a relatively large unfragmented
dune area.
References:
- Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes (1998) Amsterdam Water Supply
Dunes; Implementation of eco-hydrological research; in: Coastline
7-3, EUCC. (KJd)
- Bakker J. G. & Lengkeek J. (1999) Monitoringsonderzoek
recreatie Amsterdamse waterleidingduinen deel II: Onderzoek
naar beleving, recreatiegedrag en routepatronen van de bezoekers
in 1998-1999, nota 78; Wageningen Universiteit en Researchcentrum,
Vakgroep Ruimtelijke Planvorming en Grontmij Flevoland. (33R4A1DR1999)
- Beekelaar W.K.A.G. & Geelen L.H.W.T. (1999) Management
scheme 2000-2010; new challenges in the Amsterdam Watersupply
Dunes; in: (ed) Rabski K.: Connecting science and management
in the coastal zone; proceedings of the 7th EUCC International
conference Coastlines ’99, held in Miedzyzdroje, Poland, june
7-12 1999. (PC1999e#)
- Cousin E. (1993) Natuurbeheer; in: Duin: Themanummer Amsterdamse
Waterleidingduinen, no.1993-4, Stichting Duinbehoud. (33BCD1993)
- EUCC (Doody P. et al) (1991) Sand dune inventory of Europe.
(BCD1991a#)
- Gemeentewaterleiding Amsterdam (intern) (2000) CONCEPT: Terug
in de toekomst, Beheer van de Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen
2000-2010. (33R4A1)
- Janssen M. (1993) Natuur in ontwikkeling; in: Duin: Themanummer
Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen, no.1993-4, Stichting Duinbehoud.
(33BCD1993)
