Management
Ownership
The Dunes of Texel are largely owned by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Nature Management and Fisheries and for a small part by the Ministry
of Finance (the dune grounds of Domeinen). The management of the
dune areas and the forests is in hands of Staatsbosbeheer (State
Forestry). At the southern end there are some military grounds
(The Mok), owned by the Ministry of Defence. The nature management
on these military grounds is also in hands of the State Forestry.
Within the dune area Rijkswaterstaat is responsible for the coastal
protection function of the (fore) dunes. In the dunes there are
three camping sites. The owners of the camping sites have a responsibility
concerning the nature values of the dunes they are located in.
Management plan
State Forestry manages its nature areas guided by management plans.
These plans are revised every ten years. At this moment a new
management plan is being written for the dunes and woodlands on
Texel. This management plan is adjusted to the Management and
Organisation Plan that is currently being written for the National
Park in formation (see: National Park ‘Dunes
of Texel’).
The management plan addresses many issues. First of all, it gives
an overview of the policies and planning that address the dunes
of Texel (Core ecological area; National Park in formation etc).
These policies of course set the boundaries for the management
plan. Secondly, it addresses the several functions of the dune
area; amongst others tourism & recreation, nature management
and coastal defence.
Tourism and recreation
An important function of the dunes of Texel is tourism and recreation
(see: Tourism and recreation). The
recreation management of the State Forestry is based on: management
of the woodlands and nature areas at a cost price accepted by
society, so that the areas – depending on the nature and possibilities
of the terrain – can function optimally for outdoor recreation,
with respect to the other functions of the terrain. The main goal
of the management of tourism and recreation is to offer visitors
possibilities to enjoy and learn about nature and landscape, while
the emphasis will be put on low density types of recreation.
Nature management
The dunes of Texel show a large variety in landscapes and per
landscape unit the management plan describes the genesis of the
landscape and the (future) changes. An evaluation of past management
is used to give an overview of the situation and decide on future
management. Finally, goals are set for the future. The main goal
for nature management is: the nature and landscape management
will aim primarily on sustainable preservation and development
of the dune area as a natural system and landscape, in which there
is room for a rich variation in landscape elements and ecosystems.
(see also: The Slufter, a tidal inlet on
the island Texel).
In the National Nature Policy Plan from 1990, all Dutch dune
regions were to operate under the Nature Protection Act by 1998.
This proposal has not nearly been realised. On the Wadden Islands
only 31% of the total dune area fell under the Nature Protection
Act by the end of 1998. There are two possible explanations for
this low percentage. First of all, the Nature Protection Act would
be revised in 1999 and this left room for hesitation. But, more
important was the ‘lack of public support’ for legal nature protection.
There are many groups using the dunes (agrarian, industrial, recreational
and military) and many of them do not favour the application of
the Nature Protection Act.
Coastal defence
The dunes of Texel also have an important coastal defence function.
As mentioned above, Rijkswaterstaat is responsible for the coastal
defence. Along the Dutch coast erosion is taking place and the
ability of the dunes, sea dikes and other manmade flood defences
are slowly being undermined. The causes are the influences of
the currents, tides, waves and wind and the rising sea level.
Together with the beach and the underwater sandbanks, the dunes
form a natural, sandy flood defence. Under the influence of natural
forces, these are in continuous movement. Some parts experience
deposition, while other parts experience erosion. This can also
be seen on the island of Texel. Coastal erosion is taking place
on the middle and northern part of the island. In this part of
the dunes Rijkswaterstaat fixes the dunes with Marram grass and
foresting. On the other hand, in the southern part sand is transported
towards the island. Here, sand drift is tolerated and primary
dune formation is taking place on the Hors.
Result
The new management plan for the Dunes of Texel is currently being
written. This plan is adjusted to the Management and Organisation
Plan that is being written for the National Park ‘the Dunes of
Texel’ in formation. Co-operation between all interest groups
is necessary to write this Plan and therefore concessions will
have to be made by all groups. But, the Provisional Committee
for National Parks has set several conditions that have to be
considered (see: National Park ‘Dunes of Texel’).
References:
- Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuurbeheer en Visserij, directie
Natuurbeheer (1998) Nationaal Park Duinen van Texel (brochure);
i.s.m. Staatsbosbeheer
- Ten Haaf and Bakker (1991) Beheersplan Duinen Texel deel
1, 2 en 3
- www.waddenzee.nl
