Engbertsdijksvenen

The Engbertsdijksvenen nature reserve covers one of the largest peat-bog areas in the Netherlands and has been designated a proposed Site of Community Interest and a Special Protection Area. Its 1,001 hectares (ha) include raised bogs and degraded raised bogs. The latter offers potential to develop into a self-regulating (active) raised bog. The area is home to nine species of bog moss, including Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum cuspidatum and Sphagnum tenellum. It also supports important bird species listed under Annex I of the EU Birds Directive, such as the common crane (Grus grus), bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) and spotted crake (Porzana porzana). Positive outcomes of the restoration include increased growth of Spaghnum mosses, successful water retention and new growth of raised bog in degraded areas. Additionally, several species of spiders and insects were recorded for the first time in the area, including the ant Formica picea, the mosquito Lasiodiamesa sp. and the ground beetle Agonum ericeti.