H.A.M. Meeuwsen

The effects of traffic on the density of breeding birds in Dutch agricultural grasslands

Abstract The effect of traffic on the breeding density of grassland birds was studied in 1989 in 15 transects along main roads in The Netherlands. Out of 12 species that could be analysed, 7 showed a reduced density adjacent to the road. There was also a strong effect on the summed densities of all species. Disturbance distances varied between species, ranging from 20 to 1700 m from the road at 5000 cars a day and from 65 to 3530 m at 50,000 cars a day (car speed 120 km/h). At 5000 cars a day most species had an estimated population loss of 12–56% within 100 m of roads, but beyond 100 m > 10% loss only occurred in black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa (22% for 0–500 m zone) and oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus (44% up to 500 m and 36% for 0–1500 m zone). At 50,000 cars a day all species had estimated losses of 12–52% up to 500 m while lapwing Vanellus vanellus, shoveler Anas clypeata, skylark Alauda arvensis, blacktailed godwit and oystercatcher populations were reduced by 14–44% up to 1500 m. In The Netherlands, with a dense network of extremely crowded motorways, traffic should be considered a serious threat to breeding bird populations in grasslands. Greater care should be taken in planning new roads, and it is important to explore how the present effects can be reduced.

Sacrificing patches for linear habitat elements enhances metapopulation performance of woodland birds in fragmented landscapes

It is generally assumed that large patches of natural habitat are better for the survival of species than the same amount of habitat in smaller fragments or linear elements like hedges and tree rows. We use a spatially explicit individual-based model of a woodland bird to explore this hypothesis. We specifically ask whether mixtures of large, small and linear habitat elements are better for population performance than landscapes that consist of only large elements. With equal carrying capacity, metapopulations perform equally or better in heterogeneous landscape types that are a mix of linear, large and small habitat elements. We call this increased metapopulation performance of large and small elements “synergy”. These mixed conditions are superior because the small linear elements facilitate dispersal while patches secure the population in the long run because they have a lower extinction risk. The linear elements are able to catch and guide dispersing animals which results in higher connectivity between patches leading to higher metapopulation survival. Our results suggest that landscape designers should not always seek to conserve and create larger units but might better strive for more variable landscapes with mixtures of patch sizes and shapes. This is especially important when smaller units play a key role in connecting patches and dispersal through the matrix is poor.

Applying ecological knowledge in landscape planning: a simulation model as a tool to evaluate scenarios for the badger in the Netherlands

The distribution of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles, L.) in the Netherlands is fragmented and adult mortality is high in many places because of traffic casualties. Both these facts affect the survival and dispersal of badgers in a negative way and are suggested to be the main causes of the decline of this species. For this reason the species receives special attention from the government in the national Nature Policy Plan and also from the lower administration in the provinces in their policy on physical planning and nature conservation. To evaluate changes in land use by means of spatial scenarios and conservation strategies in favour of the species, an individual-based simulation model was built that describes population dynamics in space and time. The model was used to evaluate three scenarios. The results indicate that the survival of groups benefits strongly from measures directed at lowering adult mortality. Also the (re)colonization of suitable but not inhabited areas increases the survival and is favoured by measures that encourage dispersal. The results indicate that simulation models as described are useful tools for establishing the comparative effectiveness of plans or measures aimed at increasing the viability of the species.

RETRACTED ARTICLE : The effectiveness of green infrastructure as a climate adaptation strategy for intensively-used landscapes: an example of the great crested newt

This article has been retracted at the request of the authors. After publication the authors detected an error in the dispersal module that estimates colonisation probabilities for dispersing individuals, partially inflating long distance dispersal probabilities. As the dispersal model is at the core of the work presented, this error may have consequences for the results presented and conclusions drawn. While assessing the exact magnitude of the impact of the error is undergoing, the authors believe that the results presented here are too preliminary, for which they requested to retract this publication.

Kwetsbare soorten voor energie-infrastructuur in Nederland : overzicht van effecten van hernieuwbare energie-infrastructuur en hoogspanningslijnen op de kwetsbare soorten vogels, vleermuizen, zeezoogdieren en vissen, en oplossingsrichtingen voor een natuurinclusieve energietransitie

De cumulatieve impact van energie-infrastructuur kan een belangrijke rol spelen bij de populatieontwikkeling van kwetsbare soorten door sterfte en habitatverlies als gevolg van aanvaringen met die energie-infrastructuur of het verstorende effect van dergelijke infrastructuur. In dit rapport wordt een zo actueel en volledig mogelijk overzicht gegeven van de staat van kennis en de relatieve kwetsbaarheid van vogels, vleermuizen, zeezoogdieren en vissen in relatie tot de impact van windturbines, hoogspanningslijn en, waterkrachtcentrales en zonnepaneelvelden. Voor deze soortgroepen en energie-infrastructuur worden de kwetsbare soorten gerangschikt op basis van hun kwetsbaarheid en wordt inzichtelijk gemaakt waar de verspreiding van de kwetsbaarste soorten overlapt met de energie-infrastructuur. We evalueren hoe de cumulatieve impact van energie-infrastructuur op de soortgroepen gekwantificeerd kan worden nu en in de toekomst, en hoe die impact zich verhoudt tot andere antropogene drukfactoren voor de kwetsbaarste soorten. We bespreken mitigatie- en compensatiemaatregelen die in potentie kunnen voorkomen dat Nederlandse populaties van soorten afnemen als gevolg van de huidige en toekomstige energie-infrastructuur op zee en op land. Tot slot worden suggesties gedaan voor het opvullen van de belangrijkste kennishiaten en oplossingsrichtingen die het mogelijk maken de effecten op kwetsbare soorten bij de verdere groei van energie-infrastructuur op land en op zee te minimaliseren.

Natuurcombinaties en Europese natuurdoelen : ontwikkeling van een methode om natuurdoelen te realiseren buitenhet Natuurnetwerk Nederland

This study explored the possibilities for developing a method to determine what nature combinations outside Natura 2000 areas can contribute to the realisation of conservation objectives for Birds and Habitats Directive (BHD) species. A total of 54 species were selected that represent the BHD conservation objectives and for which the area outside the National Ecological Network is relevant; these are considered to be target species. For 43 of these species fiches were compiled containing a description of the most important habitat characteristics. An attempt was made to obtain a picture of the potential nature conservation effects of nature combinations related to conservation objectives. Using the ecological characteristics of the target species, an adapted version of the Model for Nature Policy (MNP) was developed to predict potential habitat from GIS information and the changes in habitat size and quality that can be brought about by nature combinations. An initial set of calculations was made for four species, limited to the eastern central region of the Netherlands. To obtain useful information it would appear necessary to have GIS data at a high level of spatial detail. Technically the model works and the first impression is that the results are ecologically plausible

HappyHier: hoe gelukkig is men waar? : Gegevensverzameling en bepaling van de invloed van het type grondgebruik, deel I

Dit onderzoek is uitgevoerd om de invloed van het type grondgebruik op hoe gelukkig mensen zich op een bepaald moment voelen te meten om zo rekenregels te formuleren waarmee het effect van ruimtelijke veranderingen en ingrepen op dit welbevinden is te kwantificeren. Daarbij gaat het met name om bebouwd gebied versus meer natuurlijke omgevingen, en om verschillen tussen de diverse typen natuurlijke omgeving. Om de gegevens te verzamelen, is een smartphone app ontwikkeld en uitgezet onder een groot publiek, waarbij mensen op locatie gevraagd werd aan te geven hoe ze zich voelden. Tijdens de periode van een mei tot 28 juli 2016 hebben 4318 unieke deelnemers gebruik gemaakt van de HappyHier app, dat wil zeggen ze hebben ten minste een vragenlijst op locatie ingevuld. In 2017 is het eerste deel van de analyses gerapporteerd, vooral gericht op verschillen in geluksgevoel per type omgeving (grondgebruik). In dit tweede deel wordt nader ingegaan op de representativiteit van de verzamelde gegevens, de tijd die men doorbrengt in de verschillende typen omgeving en de relatie tussen momentaan geluk en levenssatisfactie.---The aim of this research was to measure the influence the type of environment (land use) has on people’s reported happiness at a certain moment in time, with a view to formulating rules for quantifying the effect of spatial changes on wellbeing. The study focused on differences between built-up areas and more natural environments and between different types of natural environment. A smartphone app, called HappyHier, was developed for use by a broad sample population in the Netherlands, with push messages asking them to report how happy they felt at a certain moment. From 1 May to 28 July 2016, 4318 unique participants made use of the app, filling in at least one questionnaire on location. Part I of the report discussed the first part of the analysis, focusing mainly on differences in momentary happiness between different types of environment. Part II reports on the representativeness of the gathered data, the time spent in the diverse types of environment and the relationship between momentary happiness and life satisfaction.