Large variety in the dune landscape of Texel
The Dunes of Texel show a large variety in landscape. Several
areas with specific landscape features and flora and fauna can
be distinguished (see: Map of Texel). From
north to south these are:
The Eierland Dunes, the Krimbos, the Slufter, the Muy, the Dennen,
the dunes between De Koog and Den Hoorn (the Seetingsnollen, the
Dune Park, the Bleekersvallei, the Western Dunes and the Bollekamer),
the Geul, and the Hors. In the North Sea, west of the dunes a
sandbank is present, called the Razende Bol.
The Eierland Dunes
The Eierland dunes is the most northern dune area on the island
of Texel. The Eierland Dunes are part of the oldest dunes of Texel.
They are present since the Middle Ages. For a long time, the Eierland
Dunes existed as a separate small dune-island between the islands
of Texel and Vlieland. Between the dune-island and the Island
of Texel an area of wetlands with large sandbanks and creeks was
present. Around 1630 the islanders built a sand dyke across the
highest part of the sandbanks by trapping sand with reed mats.
More and more sediment built up so that in 1835 it was possible
to reclaim the Eijerland polder, the largest Polder of Texel.
The Eierland Dunes are calcium-poor. In de last decades the rain
has leached the topsoil of the dunes and this can be seen in the
flora. Mosses and lichens sparsely occupy large part of the Eierland
Dunes. In the springtime also small grasses and flowers can be
seen.
The creeks from the former marshes in the Eierland Polder are
kept intact and are appointed nature reserves.
The Krimbos
The Krimbos is the youngest wooded area on the island of Texel.
It was planted between 1983 and 1985, to avoid overload of the
nature areas by the growing recreation. The largest part of the
forest consists of deciduous trees but also pine trees were planted.
In the Krimbos there are walking paths, cycling paths, horse riding
tracks and recreation grounds. In the Krimbos dune creeks are
present, that transport groundwater from the dunes into the polder.
Because the water in these dune creeks is very clear, it is a
habitat for special water plants and animals.
The Slufter
The Slufter is situated between the Eierland Dunes and The Muy.
It is a unique nature area for the island of Texel. It is a tidal
inlet from which the area has an open connection with the sea
(see: The Slufter, a tidal inlet on the
island Texel). It contains a creek system with the associated
salt marsh vegetation. A large part of the Slufter is managed
as a bird reserve.
The Muy
The Muy is a dune complex situated between the village De Koog
and the Slufter. It is a State Nature reserve, famous for the
oldest spoonbill colony of the island of Texel. It is a relatively
young area with wet dune slacks between man-made dune ridges.
The Muy itself is a dune lake. The Muy originated from a breakthrough
of the sea, but in contrast to the Slufter, here man succeeded
in closing the gap. The Muy and the Slufter are very important
areas for breeding birds and migratory birds.
The Dennen
The Dennen is the largest wooded area on the island of Texel.
It was planted at the beginning of the 20th century (1897-1921)
as a production forest, at the inner edge of the dunes and on
the common grounds. In this day, the Dennen are an attractive
area from a landscape point of view, with many possibilities for
recreation and growing nature values. In the Dennen dune creeks
are present. These creeks have important nature values because
of the clear (dune) water, which hosts specific plants and animals.
The dunes between De Koog and Den Hoorn
The dunes between De Koog and Den Hoorn are somewhat older, calcium-poor
dunes. The morphology of the dune area has been the same for several
centuries. There are many parabolic dune forms and wind blown
valleys. From north to south they are cold: the Seetingsnollen,
the Dune Park, the Bleekersvallei, the Western Dunes and the Bollekamer.
The Seetingsnollen host the highest dune of Texel: almost 25 meters
high. The Dune Park was built as an instruction park in 1960.
Nowadays it is part of the visitor centre EcoMare. In the Dune
Park several exceptional specimens of plants are present: the
Twayblade (Listera ovata), the Round-leafed Wintergreen
(Pyrola rotundifolia), and the Carline Thistle (Carlina
vulgaris). Furthermore, the insect Ant-lion (Myrmeleon
formicicarius) is present. The Bleekervallei is a valley with
dune grassland and dune heathers. In the Bleekersvallei lies the
Moksloot. This is a channel built in 1880 to drain the dunes and
to create agricultural land. Because of the drainage the amount
of plant species dropped. For a long time the water of the Moksloot
was used to make drinking water. The supply however, was not sufficient
and since 1988 there is a pipeline to the mainland, which provides
drinking water to the island. Since 1993 the water supply from
the Moksloot has stopped completely. The Western Dunes are famous
for a large gull colony. The Bollekamer is characterised by large
valleys with specific dune heather.
The dunes between De Koog and Den Hoorn host many butterflies
connected to the large variety of habitats in this dune area.
The Geul
The Geul lies in a dune area with a large variety in landscape
forms. Dune formation started here in the Middle Ages and is still
taking place. The Geul is a long ‘primary’ dune valley between
two duneridges. It originated when a sandbank called Onrust attached
to the island of Texel at the beginning of the 20th century (see
also below). The eastern side of the Geul maintained in contact
with the sea until 1921. A manmade dune ridge closed the Geul
from the sea. The Geul is known for its Spoonbill colony and a
large colony of gulls. In the surrounding dune area wet dune slacks
are present and a dune lake.
The Hors
The Hors is the beach plain situated on the south-western part
of the island of Texel. It borders the Marsdiep and the Molengat.
Originally, the Hors was a sandbank, which drifted towards Texel
and joined to the island in 1749. In the outer delta a new sandbank
emerged, called Onrust. This bank joined to the island in 1910
or 1914. The size and the shape of the current beach plain vary
under the influence of the sea. The largest part of the Hors is
part of the Nature Monument the Wadden Sea since 1993. The Hors
is one of the few places on the island of Texel where primary
dune formation takes place. It is an important breeding place
for sea birds.
The Razende Bol
In this day, a sand bank named Noorderhaaks (also called The Razende
Bol) lies in the North Sea, directly west of the Marsdiep. The
Razende Bol moved with a speed of about 100 meters per year, but
it is not certain that The Razende Bol will join with the island
of Texel, like the Hors and Onrust in the past. This because the
current in the Molengat has become very strong, while the distance
between the Razende Bol and the island has not become smaller
in the past few years.
The Razende Bol is a very important, natural and relatively quiet,
high tide refuge place for seals and birds.
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