4A. Current Situation

4. Nijmegen and Biodiversity
4A. Current Situation
Uniquely situated on the border of various landscape types, Nijmegen and 'The realm of
Nijmegen' are rich in biodiversity. The compact city of Nijmegen has little open space, so the
city feels all the more obliged to contribute effectively to the development and management of
the green ring around its city limits. The construction of the secondary channel along the Waal
has created an artery for nature and biodiversity through the urban heart of the city. Beavers
and otters will get a place within the city.
Nature 2000
The Waal floodplains to the East and West, partly on the territory of Nijmegen, were definitively
assigned as a Nature 2000 area in April 2014 (see Figure 2). The alternation of open water, marshes,
mud banks, brushwoods, willow trees and various types of grassland, for example riverine grassland
on higher ridges and dikes, result in a variety of habitat types and species. The flood plains are an
important breeding area for wetland birds and birds of water-rich areas and wet grasslands, and are
an important resting and foraging area for ducks and geese (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Nature in the Waal's floodplains
Ecological Infrastructure
The green ring around Nijmegen falls largely within the protection regime of the National Ecological
Network, the national network of nature reserves and ecological connecting zones (see Figure 2). To
the West of Nijmegen, the green ring is partly urbanized, partly agricultural.
Within the National Landscape Gelderse Poort, bordering Nijmegen on the East where the German
Rhine enters the Netherlands and splits into the Rijn, IJssel and Waal rivers, lies the Millingerwaard:
this is the birthplace (1983) of the widespread nature development along the Dutch rivers and of the
essential cooperation between river administrator Rijkswaterstaat, brick industry, farmers, soil
removers and nature organizations. Nature areas in the Gelderse Poort are linked to nature and
landscape, including Natura 2000 sites along the German Lower Rhine. On the moraine rich in forest
and heath South of Nijmegen, there are otherwise no more Nature 2000 areas.
In this green ring, the buffer zone between Arnhem and Nijmegen is essential. These cities create
there the Lingezegen Park (1700 hectares) (Figure 2) beyond their own boundaries. Lingezegen Park
is an ecological connection zone of the Ecological Network.
Figure 2 The National Ecological Network
Dutch
Natuurontwikkelingsopgave
Natuurontwikkeling
Geen natuurontwikkeling meer
Ecologische hoofdstructuur
streekplan 2009
Natuur
Verweven
Ecologische verbindingszone
Natura2000
English
Natural development target
Natural development
No further natural development
Ecological main structure area
plan 2009
Nature
Intertwined
Ecological connection area
Natura2000
Urban ecological network
The spatial structure and shape of the greenery are a result of geomorphology/geology, (cultural)
history and urban development. The moraine and the Waal dominates: the glorious Parisian allure of
the boulevards and the hilly historic parks in the centre; old forests and source areas on the moraine
in East Nijmegen, on the moraine slopes park-like greenery in former villages like Brakkenstein,
Hatert and Hees, and' 'urbanized' estates such as Heijendaal and Winkelsteeg; Park West, the green
chain of small and large parks that have been formed since 1995 in the garden village districts of
Nijmegen-West that were built in the early 20th century, the lush natural areas in the new Western
boroughs of Dukenburg and Lindenholt that reach deep into the residential areas.
The Waal, the channel zone and the railways are important ecological routes through the city; tree
structures along the radial roads and boulevards around the center form ecological connections.
Figure 3: Landscape positioning
Dutch
Komgebied
Waaluiterwaard
Oeverwallen
Stuwwal
Maasuiterwaard
English
Bay area
Waal flood plain
Levees
Moraine
Maas floodplain
With its unique geomorphology and geology, Nijmegen possesses an area with great variety of
habitats for plants and animals. Research (Flora of Nijmegen and Cleves 1800-2006) shows that
about 1500 plant species have been observed. The Netherlands currently has 1536 native plant
species. In the national benchmark Atlas of Dutch Municipalities, volume 2013, Nijmegen scores first
on bird richness. The ecological hotspots are valuable nature areas that have a relationship with
nature outside the city. Here we will focus on the further development of the nature, management is
geared to the present and potential nature values. Nijmegen also owns several valuable
neighbourhood hotspots (Figure 4).
Figure 4: The ecological structure of Nijmegen
Dutch
Ecologische hotspot
Wijkspot
Legenda
EHS & Beschermde gebieden
Actuele natuurwaarden
Relatief hoge natuurwaarden
Gemiddeld
Relatief laag
Onbekend (onvoldoende gegevens)
Ecologische structuur stedelijk gebied
Ecologische hotspot
Wijkspot
Droge ecologische dooradering
Natte ecologische dooradering
English
Ecological hot spot
Neighbourhood spot
Legend
Ecological Network & Protected areas
Current natural holms
Relatively high natural holms
Average
Relatively low
Unknown (not enough data)
Ecological structure urban area
Ecological hot spot
Neighbourhood spot
Dry ecological veining
Wet ecological veining
In Nijmegen-North a vast landscape transition takes place: a former village with agricultural areas is in
transformation into a new district; the secondary channel becomes the ecological link through the city
center, with new opportunities for nature in floodplains and on the city island (Figure 5). The target of
this new nature ribbon (generally and in detail) and the cyclic, multi-annual management are
enshrined in the Management and Maintenance Plan Room for the Waal.
Figure 5: Management plan of the Secondary channel, overall (top), in detail (bottom)
Dutch
Vegetatietypen IP Streefbeeld
Akker
Slikplaat
Riet
Zandstrand
Kribvak
Zachthoutbos
Ruw grasland
Verruigd grasland
Normaal grasland
Grasland
English
Vegetation types IP Target scenario
Field
Mud plate
Reed
Sandy beach
Pier section
Softwood forest
Rough grassland
Overgrown grassland
Normal grassland
Grassland
Glad grasland
Hoogwatervrij
Bebouwd/verhard
Steenbekleding
Zandpad/semiverhard
Structuurrijke grazige ruigte
Homogene moerasruigte
Open ruigte
Droge ruigte
Natte ruigte homogeen
Normaal bos
Open bos
Struwelen
Dicht bos
Bomenlaan (vlak)
Nevengeulen
Plassen
Strang
Zomerbed
Heggen en laanbeplanting
Smooth grassland
Flood-free
Built/paved
Revetment
Sand path/semi hardened
Structure-rich grassy scrubland
Homogeneous marsh brushwood
Open brushwood
Dry brushwood
Wet brushwood homogenous
Regular forest
Open forest
Thickets
Closed forest
Tree avenue (flat)
Secondary ditches
Lakes
Branch of a river
Summer bed
Hedges and avenue trees
4B. Past performance goals
The Nature 2000 site Rhine Branches runs across Nijmegen. The flood plains are a Bird
Directive and/or Ecological Directive Area. The nature in the Ecological Network, in the green
ring around the city, partly within the borders of the municipality of Nijmegen, is managed on
the basis of nature conservation plans. The management and monitoring of nature is almost
entirely in the professional hands of nature organizations Natuurmonumenten (Association for
the Preservation of Nature), The Gelders Landscape Foundation and the National
Forestry Management, which already exists a hundred years.
Nijmegen is a compact city, surrounded by a rich natural ring, attractive and accessible to the
residents of Nijmegen. Within the compact city, distinction is made between the main green structure
and neighborhood greenery: from the natural potential and within the possibilities that urbanization
offers, and explicitly taking into account the interests and wishes of residents, one of the goals is the
preservation and development of nature.
Landscape management
In recent years, the municipality of Nijmegen has contributed actively and financially (€ 0.6 million) to
the improvement of biodiversity in the adjacent agricultural area of the Ooijpolder (part of National
Landscape Gelderse Poort) (Figure 6). Together with farmers, environmental organizations, other
municipalities, the Province of Gelderland and the National Government Nijmegen has made the
agricultural area and nature more accessible for people by constructing wander paths and ecological
linking corridors. Landowners manage the landscape elements for the next 30 years (!) receiving a
competitive compensation. Maintaining and enhancing biodiversity are thus guaranteed; recreational
and educational value has been greatly increased. Nijmegen with its support for landscape and nature
values beyond its municipal boundaries has set a major, nationally recognized example.
Figure 6: Landscape Development in the Ooijpolder
The opening of the Ooijpolder for Nijmegen has been improved by construction (2012) of a bridge
passage over the provincial, busy road Nijmegen-Kleve. A 60-meter-long pedestrian bridge (Figure 7)
was also completed in 2013 within the centre of Nijmegen over a tributary of the Waal, directly into the
Ooijpolder. Motto: 'going out in the city, walking in the polder'.
Figure 7: Bridge to the Ooij: a real hit
Nature management
We transferred the management of approximately 80% of our natural heritage in 2013 to the national
nature conservation organization Natuurmonumenten. They focus the management towards further
development of nature values and the exploitation of existing potential (Figure 8). Prior to this transfer,
Nijmegen City Council and the Department of Defense have rehabilitated the soil pollution of the
legacy of military use.
As of now, we have sold 200 hectares of the forest to drinking-water company Vitens. The contract
with Natuurmonumenten stipulates that they manages also the property of Vitens and that the council
of the municipality of Nijmegen determines the nature management policy.
Nijmegen had until recently approximately 625 hectares of forests right outside its municipal
boundaries, formerly largely military training area. These forests are located in the national Ecological
Network and some management visions have been drawn up for it. Until 2013 Nijmegen itself carried
out the management, co-funded by the government, reviewed by the province with regard to content.
Together with managers of adjacent natural areas, and in consultation with volunteers, neighboring
municipalities and provinces (Gelderland and Limburg), the moorland between Nijmegen and Mook
(Figure 8) has been restored in recent years. Corridors have been made and barriers set up, creating
a large, contiguous heath. Target species are Sand Lizards, Smooth snakes, Nightjars and Saddlebacked Bush-crickets. A flock of sheep has been added by the management. Monitoring shows good
results of this.
Figure 7: Heath area between Mook and Nijmegen
Dutch
Legenda
Open zand
Heischrale pioniersvegetatie
Structuurrijke gemengde heide
Structuurrijke oude heide
Heide met bosopslag
Open bos met heide
Verbindingszone
English
Legend
Open sand
Specius-rich pioneer vegetation
Structure rich mixed heath
Structure rich old heath
Heath with forest storage
Open forest with heath
Connection area
The Municipality of Nijmegen participates fully in Park Lingezegen, a 1700-hectare green buffer zone
between Nijmegen and Arnhem: We have invested € 3.8 million (total investment of approximately €
68.5 million) and contribute to the management (annual € 0.25 million) from 2014. Our important
natural partners are State Forestry and Waterboard Rivierenland. This predominantly agricultural area
undergoes metamorphosis into nature and recreation in the coming years, which is vital to citizens of
Nijmegen living North of the Waal. In 2013, the Municipality of Nijmegen joined the organization which
manages and develops Lingezegen Park further.
The values of nature within the city are often determined by the natural potential and degree of
urbanization, not forgetting the needs and the commitment of our citizens as basis. The relationship
among greenery/ecology/biodiversity, health and social cohesion is essential here. We mention some
interesting examples below (Figures 9 and 10).
We work on improving biodiversity not only outside our municipality, but there are also areas within
the city, which are designed and managed as naturally as possible. Our green structure plan "The
Green Line" determines the ecological structure. In greenery management, dozens of neighbourhood
groups work closely together with local organizations for nature management and education. They
manage some special nature hotspots like the Nature Garden of Bottendaal, the Patersbos, Nature
Garden The Goffert and the Java Grove. We encourage the connection between town and country.
Thanks to the Limos Park (former barracks area) nature now pulls into town. Several years ago a
boar even burrowed there, visible from the primary school, located in a former barracks.
The recent purchase of the Driehuizen estate (approximately 30 acres) and also the recent
transformation of traditional into more natural landscape such as the Geologists Park (Dukenburg)
and the Randpark (Hatert) brings nature into the residential area. We have put flocks of sheep
into some urban grasslands (Figure 9).
Figure 9: Randpark Hatert (top left), sheep grazing in the city (upper right)
playing nature at school (bottom left) and nature education center (bottom right)
Since 2001 we have made the steep filled banks of many ponds environmentally friendly in our
formerly wetlands districts Lindenholt and Dukenburg, sometimes in combination with a natural
playground. The kingfisher is often spotted here. For these districts we have put in greenery and
water very consciously as unique selling points. Water board Rivierenland monitors the ecological
values and water quality.
Thanks to the many grids and tunnels along roads around Nijmegen built to prevent traffic mortality
among badgers, the number of badgers around Nijmegen has grown. Badgers go foraging and settle
down in some residential areas now. In consultation with local residents and environmental
organizations, we apply green design and management.
In built-up neighbourhoods, we encourage residents to add more greenery by building facade gardens
and replacing fences with hedges. The municipality facilitates the construction; the residents manage
the new greenery. This promotes health and the living standards of the neighborhood,
and biodiversity receives the benefits.
Figure 10: Facade Gardens and liveable greenery and water
Specific projects arise in consultation with and on the initiative of local nature organizations and
community groups, such as nesting boxes for swifts, built by asylum seekers and placed in urban
districts of Nijmegen-West. With local beekeepers, we strive to create a network of beehives scattered
throughout the city, which also requires adjustment of design and management of public greenery. To
promote climate adaptation, green roofs have been constructed above the town hall. The local
beekeeper association has installed some hives.
Several local organizations (Nature Museum, Children's Farms, Goffert Nature Garden, Lent botanical
garden, Environmental Learning Center, Institute for nature protection & education) offer a
comprehensive array of nature programs in and around the city, for all ages, ranging from practical
greenery and nature management, to courses (e.g. gardening, fruit tree maintenance) and lessons,
walks and so on. Schoolchildren learn to grow food in the school garden project called Stadswaard
(Ooijpolder) started in 2012. The municipality provides funding to some of these organizations and
activities. The range is wide: more than 31,000 Nijmegen school children receive annual nature
education (Figure 9).
One special project is that of the peregrine falcon nests in the tower of the historic Stevens Church,
iconic in Nijmegen's cityscape, as well as in one of the cooling towers of the Electrabel power station.
Another special feature is that several new building projects, such as the Hessenberg and Plein '44
projects, right in the city center, facilities have been built for swifts.
The Waarneming.nl website lists 1499 species of native plants and animals in Nijmegen in 2013,
and 3143 species the last 10 years. Nijmegen has been using no chemical pesticides in the
management of its public space since 1995. As a sign to the central government against the risks of
genetically modified food, Nijmegen declared itself "genetech-free" in 2012.
11C. Future Plans
The Province of Gelderland is the competent authority for the management plans for the
Nature 2000 site Rijntakken. Landowners and future managers are involved. The
municipality of Nijmegen stimulates biodiversity within the city with the help of residents,
builders and organizations.
The ecological development in the floodplains, the rebuilding of embankments (figure 11 and 12 with
an secondary channel and future city island) and, during the construction of the residential areas in
Nijmegen-North, the installation of a sustainable water system with its green-blue network are
important.
Figure 11: Map (above) and impressive secondary channel (seen from the East)(below)
Figure 14: Secondary channel 'Work in progress' (seen from the West) to be completed in 2016
The City Island and the ancillary channel become new links in the chain of nature development along
the Waal and Rhine. Nature development West of Nijmegen takes place in Oosterhout and Beuningse
Waard, and to the East in the Stadswaard (Figure 13). The World Wildlife Fund is a powerful engine
behind this nature development. It supports management organizations like the Ark Foundation. The
Ark Foundation reintroduced the sturgeon in the Waal a few years ago. Other significant species that
benefit from the nature in and around Nijmegen are beavers and white-tailed eagles. Otters, which
disappeared from the Netherlands years ago, were observed at several places in the Ooijpolder in
2014.
Nijmegen, as the largest city along the Waal, wants to become the gate of perception of river scenery.
Along with the Nature Museum Nijmegen and the State Forestry, Nijmegen is working on realization
of the Nature Museum Gelderse Poort (red dot in Figure 13) in a huge ancient listed building, at the
foot of the moraine with the monumental Valkhofpark, near the pedestrian bridge to the Ooijpolder
and the flood plains of the Waal. The Nature Centre is to offer a wide range of challenging information
and active outdoor experience, about nature in the city, and beyond: "Nature is not only found outside
the city, but also gets a place right within the city." The Nature Centre requires an investment of more
than € 6,000,000; completion in 2016.
Figure 13: Nature development on the flood plains
The presence of five nationally operating conservation organizations, with 120 employees and 20,000
volunteers on the Nature plaza of Radboud University Nijmegen, national nature organizations in
neighboring Berg and Dal and the organizations involved in nature development in the Millingerwaard,
makes Nijmegen an important breeding ground for scientific thinking about natural development and
nature conservation. This stimulates in and around Nijmegen projects and applications for the benefit
of nature. Hundreds of volunteers are sent by these organizations to observe wildlife in aid of
monitoring (www.waarneming.nl).
Park Lingezegen is situated between Arnhem and Nijmegen, which is a landscape park with a dense
network of cycling and walking paths, new ponds, paths and woods. Existing characteristic fruit
orchards are included in the park and sales of regional agricultural products is stimulated. The park
marks the transition from the city to the countryside and connects the banks of the Waal at Nijmegen
with the banks of the Rhine at Arnhem. The Woerdt area lies Near Nijmegen (Figure 14). The
objective to transform it into landscape already leads to private entrepreneurial initiatives that focus on
nature and recreation.
Figure 14: The Woerdt
On the southeast side of the city, the Ketelwald forest continues to be developed (Figure 15). This is
an international project in which the Dutch and German government, environmental organizations and
conservationists co-operate on working arrangements for the development of their areas into a
coherent nature area. With its area of 9,000 ha, a rich cultural history and a wide variety of habitats,
Ketelwald has all the makings of becoming a German-Dutch ecological jewel.
Figure 15: Ketelwald
Dutch
Beuningse uiterwaarden
Oosterhoutse waarden
Dijkteruglegging
Legenda
Rivieren en meren
Heide
Bos
Gebouw/landgoed
Dorpen en steden
Schütz der Natur
EHS (bos en natuur)
EHS (beheersgebied)
Naturschutzgebiet
Habitatrichtlijn
Vogelrichtlijn
Natuurmonument
English
Holms of Beuning
Holms of Oosterhout
Dike relocation
Legend
Rivers and lakes
Heath
Forest
Building/estate
Villages and towns
Protection of nature
Ecological Network (forest and
nature)
Ecological Network (controlled
area)
Area of natural protection
Habitat guidelines
Bird guidelines
Natural monument
For the establishment and management of the greenery in Nijmegen South of the Waal, the
following are important in the coming years:
• the construction of five neighbourhood parks (each at least 0.5 hectares) in built-up areas,
especially where the distance to green spaces is greater than 300 meters.
• increasing awareness of and involvement in planning and management of urban public green
spaces among citizen.
• continuing to work on recognition that naturalness within the urban environment improves
people's quality of life and is associated with the often abstract concept of sustainability. This
can lead to increasing biodiversity in the city.
Apart from the regular budgets for management and design of greenery (extensively illustrated in
indicator 3), the new (2014) municipal leadership has the ambition of ''green structures and 10,000
extra trees': more ecology, fewer stone areas. And above all: green for the citizens, by the citizens.
Additional budget in 2015 € 200,000; in 2016 and the following years: € 300,000/year.
TEEB stands for The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, an international study on the
economic importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Netherlands participates in the national
TEEB-NL program, of which TEEB-City is also a component. Two ministries, an engineering office
and various municipalities work together in this program on the economic importance of nature and
water in and around the city. The intention is that the municipality of Nijmegen participates in this
project with a pilot project. TEEB and the application of GPR (a methodology for the evaluation of
sustainability in construction projects and land development) can lead to an increased feeling of value
of nature in the city. Such methods are only truly effective, however, if there is support for their
creative application within the urban society.
4D. References
Links related to question 4 A The current situation
Nature 2000
http://www.synbiosys.alterra.nl/natura2000/gebiedendatabase.aspx?subj=n2k&groep=6&id=n2k67
http://www.synbiosys.alterra.nl/natura2000/gebiedendatabase.aspx?subj=n2k&groep=6&id=n2k68
EHS http://www.gelderland.nl/eCache/DEF/20/540.html
Urban ecological network http://www2.nijmegen.nl/wonen/milieuenafval/groen
Links related to question 4B Past performance goals
Ooijpolder http://www.vianatura.nl/overige-projecten/ecologische-verbinding-ubbergen-groenlanden
Heiderijk http://www.heiderijk.nl/page/408/heide:-gevarieerd-leefgebied.html
Heumensoord http://www.natuurmonumenten.nl/natuurgebieden/heumensoord
Green Structures http://www2.nijmegen.nl/wonen/milieuenafval/groen/groen_zelf_beheren
Links related to question 4C Future plans
Dike relocation
http://www.ruimtevoorderivier.nl/waar-doen-we-dit/projecten/gelderland/dijkteruglegging-lent/
The Waaijer
http://www2.nijmegen.nl/wonen/ontwikkeling/Waalsprong/groen_en_water/landschapszone
Park Lingezegen http://parklingezegen.nl/
Film about D'Waal http://www.dwaalfilm.eu/#
Nature Organizations and monitoring biodiversity
http://www.arknature.eu/ark-en/about-us
http://www.dasenboom.nl/
http://www.natuurplaza.org/
http://waarneming.nl/
Peregrine falcons in Stevens Church http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o98LdEBAC64
Otters in Ooijpolder http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ-peYnN1Gw
Ketelwald http://www.ketelwald.de/nl/
GPR http://www.gprstedenbouw.nl/
Links associated with question 4E Best practices
City bees
http://www.gnmf.nl/site/Stadsbijen/
Food Forests and permaculture; Foundation Doornik Nature fields
http://www.permacultuurnederland.org/wp/
www.doorniknatuurakkers.nl/
4E. Best practices
Two prime examples of passion for green, nature and social sustainability.
1 In Nijmegen lots of concerned initiatives exist around bees. The council decided in 2013 to support.
The City Bees project, set up by sustainable entrepreneur Ingrid Kerkvliet, started in 2013 with the
placement of hives on the roof garden of the Town Hall (Figure 16). In October 2014 four hives were
set up and sponsored by Hotel- Wellness Centre Sanadome. The cabinets are made by clients of
Iriszorg (people with large distances to the labor market). The municipality is renewing the training
centre of the Nijmegen Beekeeper Association (Peoples Park in De Goffert) in the autumn of 2014.
Clients of Iriszorg are also trained here.
Figure 16: Hives on the green roof of the City Hall; Councillor receives first yield of honey
2 Adjacent to newly-built Nijmegen North, in the Woerdt (Park Lingezegen; Figure 13), Foundation
Doornik is developing lots of nature projects, such as natural fields. The foundation is also developing
'food forests' (sustainable permaculture) (Figure 17) in the coming years. Doormik Foundation works
with volunteers and provides environmental education. It inspires (e.g. knots of hedges), provides
examples and connects to history of the region.
Figure 17: Scheme of Permaculture-Food forest