Kempen-Broek Climate Buffer
The Kempen-Broek climate buffer will restore the buffering effect of the former Kempen-Broek discharge marshes. The ARK Nature organisation has purchased strategically located land in this area and adapted it to be used for water storage, in combination with Nature development. ARK plays a temporary role in this respect. Supported by engineering agencies and consultancies, they address the restructuring of marginal farmland. In the near future, the restructured areas will be managed by land managers (2017-2018). Together with its partner organisations Natuurmonumenten, Natuurpunt België, Limburgs Landschap vzw, the Peel en Maasvallei district water board, and the Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos, ARK is taking supranational and pioneering steps in the restoration of the vast discharge marshes system in the border region between the Provinces of Limburg and Brabant.
Results
Voluntary parcel exchange between farmers and Nature developers is the instrument that set the Kempen-Broek area development in motion. Agricultural entrepreneurs have gained control of the terrain best suited to agriculture, whilst Nature has taken over the wetter pieces of land. The acquisition of intermediate hectares has enabled the inter-connection of sections owned by, e.g., Natuurmonumenten, thus creating more robust natural units. In the future, filling up discharge ditches and the removal of nutrient-rich upper soil is expected to give rise to discharge marshes featuring large sedge vegetation, reed lands, and carrs. However, Nature has been allowed to run its course at these spots.
The following work has been done:
- Acquisition of terrain through voluntary parcel exchange;
- Development of terrain acquired (clearing away communicating grids, closing off ditches in order to retain water, excavating phosphate-enriched upper soil);
- Opening up the terrain to the public and releasing roaming herds of grazing animals;
- Information and education through symposiums, excursions, and field training;
- Presenting adapted terrains to land-managing bodies.
Some terrain has already been acquired through voluntary parcel exchange, and converted to wet Nature. The acquisition and conversion of terrain is an ongoing process. Targeted purchases and exchanges have resulted in the connection of wet Natuurmonumenten meadows to elongated lots along the Abeek riverlet. Surface level reduction and filling up drainage ditches have generated inundation areas at various locations. At more elevated locations in the landscape, marshes are buffered with infiltrating rainwater, and seepage is retained for a longer period of time.
Natuurmonumenten has subsequently embarked on the realisation of a major Nature development project (Kettingdijk). This also involves water retention and seepage water buffering. In addition, ARK has acquired a farmland enclave, which allows re-wetting of the Smeetshof, Kettingdijk, and Wijffelterbroek areas. These areas will no longer be drained, which will also be of benefit to the surrounding nature reserves.
Contact person
Denis Frissen
ARK Natuurontwikkeling
+31(0)6 - 30 71 65 98
denis.frissen@ark.eu