Aamsveen

Laggzone restored

Between 2021 and 2022, the first restoration measures took place in the Aamsveen: in the laggzone, the transition area between raised bog and moraine, through which the Glanerbeek stream also runs. Woodland was deliberately removed from the entire laggzone in order to create space for the development of species-rich mat-grass and moor-grass meadows. By reducing the depth of the Glanerbeek stream, which used to drain water away from the area too quickly, more water is kept in the area for longer. In addition, old water and drainage ditches were filled in, bog dams were removed and a swale was created. Part of the measures also included the restoration of almost all of the higher cover sand ridges that had been divided by excavations in the past.

Soil full of surprises

Aamsveen is an “area with many secrets”: from bomb craters to smugglers’ trails and peat hollows to a rubble dumping site from more recent times. During the work in the lagg zone, two old wells, a new peat hollow and “new” parts of the foundations of the small peat scattering factory came to light.

Plants and animals

The raised bog is home to cushion-forming peat moss species such as Magellan’s peat moss and warty peat moss. Other plants include the common cranberry and lavender heather. The area is also home to the Arctic emerald dragonfly and the raised bog mosaic dragonfly, and several great grey shrikes spend the winter there every year. In 2024, a pair of cranes bred in the area for the first time. Incidentally, breeding cranes can be found in the – quieter – Hündfelder Moor every year. Adders like to stay in degraded raised bogs, where they can warm themselves in the sun and hide quickly if necessary.

‘The Arctic emerald dragonfly lives as a larva in a peat pit for five years before it hatches. It then feeds mainly on freshwater mites, as there is not much else in the acidic environment. But that also means it has no competitors!’

In the lagg zone, the existing plants are influenced by the groundwater – unlike in the raised bog fed by rainwater. This is why rare species such as the two-leaved wood hyacinth, the spotted orchid and the flea sedge can be found in this zone. Every year, red-backed shrikes and orioles breed here and the European mole cricket builds its nests. Other species found in this transitional area include northern crested newts, European tree frogs and yellow-spotted fritillaries.

Hiking route

Part of the walking route in the Aamsveen (along the border) is marked with orange-coloured posts. The path is more difficult to recognise after the removal of small trees and ferns in preparation for the raised bog restoration. If you follow the orange posts and stay on the path, you can walk safely in this area.