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Nitrogen Deposition in Netherlands & Natura 2000: Strategies for Conservation

This report by Jan Bakker in September 2009 analyzes nitrogen emissions and deposition in the Netherlands, focusing on their impact on Dutch Natura 2000 areas. It provides insights into sources of nitrogen emissions and deposition, with suggestions for a conservation strategy. The document highlights the implications of nitrogen deposition on natural habitats and conservation objectives in Natura 2000 areas, addressing critical deposition loads and environmental stress. Potential solutions include reducing local emissions, tackling background deposition, and enhancing overall environmental conditions. The report outlines the current challenges, legal implications, and proposed tracks for a combined conservation strategy.

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Nitrogen Deposition in Netherlands & Natura 2000: Strategies for Conservation

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  1. N Deposition in the Netherlands Implications for Natura 2000 Jan Bakker September 2009

  2. Content: • N-emission and -deposition • Impact on Dutch Natura 2000 areas • Suggestions for a strategy

  3. Nitrogen emission: trends NOx NH3

  4. Sources of N-emission NOx: 62 % traffic/ transport 26 % industry / energy 3 % agriculture NH3: 2 % traffic/ transport 5 % industry/ energy 91 % agriculture

  5. N-deposition Average ‘free aerial’ fertilizing: 25-30 kg total N/ha/yr

  6. Sources of N-deposition 30% from livestock housing 32% from foreign countries 51% from Dutch agriculture Use of livestock Manure 14 %

  7. Geographical origin of N-deposition on Natura 2000-areas (average) • 5-15 % of the deposition from sources within 1000 meter: increasing with emission density • 50-75 % of the deposition from sources inside 15x15 km: increasing with emission density • The remainder from sources outside 15x15 km; relative part decreasing with emission density, but absolute contibution remains constant

  8. A ‘blanket’ of nitrogen deposition with locally ‘peaks’…

  9. Impact Nature 2000:Soil map • Yellow: • Sandy and oligotrophic soils • Vulnerable for eutrophication • Within yellow: • Concentration areas for • intensive animal husbandry

  10. Habitat directive areas

  11. Critical deposition loads, some examples

  12. Problems! • Average annual deposition in east/south Netherlands is 1500-2000 mol N/ha • That is 2-4 times as much as the critical loads of most vulnerable types • Ca 50 % of Dutch habitattypes is ‘overloaded’ or at least at risk as a result of N-deposition (NB: NOT 50 % of the surface!!)

  13. So this is the present situation: • Environmental stress on many habitat types • Many N2000 conservation objectives under pressure As a result of EU/ national legislation: • Legal authorization for future extensions of farms (cowsheds, pig stocks) will not be granted because of significant impacts • Social impasse and polarization

  14. What to do? Outline of a combined strategy • Track 1: Reducing local emission bottlenecks (outplacement of farms from the edge of vulnerable Natura 2000 areas); AND • Track 2: Reducing background deposition (action at (inter-)national level); AND • Track 3: Improving other environmental conditions: site management, hydrological conditions, fragmentation…

  15. Questions/ discussion….

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