Dewulf, E.

Open Marine Archive

223308 
ZENO, 
Evy Dewulf 
Four LIFE nature projects ('ICCI', 'FEYDRA', 'Salt meadows on the Flemish 
coast' and 'The Uitkerkse polder') have already played an important role in the 
implementation of the European Natura 2000 network along the short Flemish 
coastline. Through scientific preparation and a sustained public support 
campaign were essential to these successes . In addition to their original aims, 
these projects also had a favourable impact on the conservation policy of the 
Flemish government and encouraged dialogue between conservationists, local 
authorities and other interest groups. 
Given the experience and results of these successful LIFE nature projects, the 
time was felt to be right for a fifth one, ZENO (Zwin dunes Ecological Nature 
Optimisation), a LIFE nature project of the Flemish government's Agency for 
Nature and Forests. 
The project area is the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish nature reserve at 
Knokke-Heist. 
A large part of this area was negatively impacted by human activities to a great 
degree during the 20th century and grey dunes and wet slacks are now being 
invaded by scrubs and grasses. The nature values of dune meadows have also 
decreased, due to over fertilization in the past. 
The legally approved management plan for the nature reserve is the basis of 
this LIFE project. The main objective is the restoration and maintenance of the 
natural habitats of coastal dunes and their transitions to polders. 
• Zeno, the Litt le Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Nature Reserve 
I PROJECT AREA 
Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders nature reserve covers an area of 222 hectares of 
dunes, woodlands and meadows. it is situated between the town of Knokke and 
the Zwin proper. 
Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders nature reserve is a part of the European Natura 
2000 network, because it is situated in the Special Protection Area BE2501033 
'Het Zwin ' in application of European Birds Directive 79/409/EEC and, with in 
the framework of European H abitat Directive 92/43/EEC, in the Special Protected 
Area BE2500001 - Dunes including Yzer river mouth and Zwin. 
Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders nature reserve consists mainly of rather low 
coastal dunes and a large fossil beach plain, which was cut off from marine 
influence in the second half of the 19th century. Before the Zwin Dunes and 
Zwin Polders were granted protected status as a nature reserve, the area was 
impacted by human act ivit ies such as plantations, the construction of a golf 
course, a show-jumping arena , an airfield, bunkers , concrete roads and other 
war-related infrastructure going back to World Wars I and 11. This has left visible 
marks throughout the area. Parts of the dune system in the project area are 
now being invaded by scrubs and grasses, both of which are superseding grey 
dunes and wet dune slacks. The nature values in part of the project area have 
also decreased, because of over-fertilization of the meadows on the fossil beach 
plain in the last few decades. 
Figur . Overgrown pond F1gure . Showj umping event called 'Concours Hippique' 
held annually until1g6o 
Zeno, the Little Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Natu re Reserve 
Mindful of the good results and experience ofthe earlier LIFE nature projects on 
the Flemish coast and the possibility Ll FE projects provide to implement a lot of 
nature restoration act ions in a relatively short period, the Agency for Nature and 
Forests submitted a new project proposal to the European Commission in 2005. 
The proposal was approved in the autumn of 2006. 
Called ZENO, the Ll FE nature project runs from 31 December 2006 to the end 
of 2010 (fou r years) . 
As already stated, ZENO stands for 'Zwin dunes Ecological Nature Optimisation' . 
This is not a random name: Zeno is the protagonist in 'The Abyss', a novel by 
Marguerite Yourcenar, which is partly set in the dunes near the Zwin. The mascot 
of the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders has not been chosen randomly either: 
the Little Egret loves to roam the creeks and forage for food in the brackish 
marsh lands and polder fields, and feels completely at home in the Zwin region . 
The project budget is €2,537,060. Fifty percent of this budget will be paid by the 
Agency for Nature and Forests, the other half by the European Union. 
F1gu e . Little Egret F1gur£ . ZENO logo 
Zeno, the Litt le Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Nature Reserve 
11 OBJECTIVES OF THE ZENO 
LIFE NATURE PROJECT 
The main objective of the project is the res to ration and maintenance of the 
natu ral habitats typical of coastal dunes and the ir transitions to salt marshes 
and polders . These are the priority habitat of Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive 
2130* 'Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes)' and the other EU-
protected hab itats 1330 'Atlantic sa lt meadows (Giauco-Puccinellietalia) ' , 2190 
'Hum id du ne slacks' and 3140 'Hard oligo-mesotroph ic waters wit h benthi c 
vegetat ion of Chara formations'. The project also intends to improve the 
prospects of EU-protected species in these habit ats , e.g. amphibians such as 
Tree Frog (Hyla arborea) and Great Crested Newt (Tritu rus cristatus), and birds 
such as Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) and Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) . 
The meas ures in the project area are recommended in the "Integral perspective 
and management plan for the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish nature 
reserve" at Knokke-Heist, with attention for recreat ional joint use" . This provides 
a detailed description of the methodologies to be used to remedy the damage 
inflicted on the natural environment, ensu re its mai ntenance after restoration 
and enable recreation in the area without inflict ing furthe r damage. 
Figure 5- Tree frog (Hyla arborea) Figure G. 2190 Humid dune slacks 
The second objective of the project is communicating with the general 
public, s haring information and experience with rega rd to the resto ration 
and mai ntenance of dune to polder and dune to sa lt ma rsh t rans iti on zon es 
in Europe. 
Zeno. the Little Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flem ish Nature Rese rve 
Ill CONCRETE ACTIONS OF THE 
ZENO LIFE NATURE PROJECT 
F1gure . Planning of restoration work during the ZENO LIFE nature project 
Zeno, the Little Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Nature Reserve 
RESTORATION OF WET DUNE SLACKS AND POOLS 
In the past few years, most of the pools and wet dune slacks have been invaded 
by shrubs and grasses. The shrub will be cleared, existing pools will be re-
profiled and some new dune pools will be dug to create an attractive landscape 
for felworts , orchids, tree frog, crested newt, natterjack toad etc. 
Figure 8. Restoration of wet dune slacks in the western corner of nature reserve (Far West) (December 2009) 
gut 9. Cutting sods of grass in the western corner F•gur£ 10. Restoration of a dune pool of the northern part 
Zeno , the Little Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polde rs Flemish Nature Reserve 
RESTORATION OF THE NATURAL DUNE HABITATS 
IN AND AROUND THE OLD SANDPITS 
During the past century, exotic tree species, mainly pine (Pin us pinaster) were 
planted and sandpits dug in the part of the Nature Reserve called Tobruk. 
As a result of these human activities, the indigenous dune vegetation was 
overwhelmed and biodiversity in the area was consequently greatly reduced . 
Cutt ing down a number of trees surrounding the ponds will restore a half-open 
landscape and the connection between two dune grass lands. The sludge will be 
partially dredged from the sandpits and the angled steep slope of the banks will 
be smoothed out. This will allow the ponds to receive more light, contributing 
to much improved water quality. This will all benefit the local fauna and flora. 
Figure 11. Restored area in and around the old Tobruk sandpits 
Zeno, the Li ttle Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Natu re Reserve 
RESTORATION OF THE MICRO TOPOGRAPHY 
OF THE KLEYNE VLAKTE 
The southern part of The Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders used to be a tidal shore 
plain with salt marshes separated from the sea by a dyke since the 19th century 
(the International Dyke was constructed in 1872) . The eastern part ofthis region 
known as the Kleyne Vlakte was levelled in the 2oth century for the construction 
of an airfield . The last plane landed in 1959 in the Kleyne Vlakte, which is now 
essentially made up of (early fertilized) meadows. A hydrological study was 
conducted in 2007-09 to determine the options and feasibility of rewetting the 
Kleyne Vlakte. Restoration work began at the end of 2009 and will be completed 
at the end of 201 o. 
Figure 12. Kleyne Vlakte before the work Figure 13. After the work (Apri/2010) 
Excavation will restore the original landscape in the Kleyne Vlakte of creeks and 
ditches crisscrossing the land. This will facilitate the creation of wet habitats, so 
the Kleyne Vlakte will once again sustain the growth of rare water-bound plants 
and water-dependent animals. 
Zeno, the Little Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Nature Reserve 
REMOVAL OF OLD INFRASTRUCTURE 
A show-jumping arena was built in the Kleyne Vlakte in 1929-30. The Concours 
Hippique, a famous event, was held every summer until the 1960s. Some old 
infrastructure was still visible in the landscape. As part of the ZENO LIFE nature 
project, in September 2007 the concrete obstacles were replaced by a pool, a 
number of poplars were felled and the route of the historical 'Paardenmarkt 
Creek' became visible once again in the landscape. This restored the dune 
grasslands and the half-open character of the dune to polder transition zones. 
Figure 14. Show:iumping arena before the work Figure 15. Show:iumping arena after the work (October 200) 
GRAZING MANAGEMENT 
Livestock (cows, goats, horses, donkeys and sheep) used to graze the dunes. 
Grasses and scrubs started to invade the grey dunes, the dune grasslands, and 
the wet dune slacks as a result oft he absence of such grazing since the middle of 
the 2oth centu ry. That problem has now been tackled by digging out soil, felling 
trees and shrubs, mowing, and introducing efficient grazers such as Scottish 
Highland cattle, Shetland ponies and Konik horses. Grazing management 
with these grazers has had positive results in other dunes along the Flemish 
coast (restoration of species rich grassland , creation of a mosaic landscape) 
(Hoffman et al. 2005) . 
Zeno, the Littl e Egret at work in the Zwi n Dunes and Zwi n Polders Fl em ish Nature Reserve 
• 
A typical Belgian breed, the Dune Goat is another grazer that has been 
reintroduced into the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders for the first time since the 
World War I. In this endeavour the Agency for Nature and Forests is working 
with the Living Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization working for the 
maintenance of original stocks of goats, sheep, cattle etc, which are typically 
very rare now. The Agency also works with the Living Heritage Foundation to 
introduce sheep in the Kleyne Vlakte. Such methods enable the typical biotopes 
in the coastal dunes and dune to polder transition zones to be maintained or 
where necessary restored to a sustainable condition. There will be five grazing 
units by the end of the ZENO LIFE nature project. 
Figure 16. Dune Goat Figur. 17. Scottish Highland cattle 
SHARING INFORMATION 
Information boards have been erected at appropriate locations during work to 
inform visitors about current accessibility and alternative routes. They also provide 
an explanation of the work methodologies and the rationale behind the work. 
The general public was informed about ZENO at an evening information session 
on 29 January 2008. Leaflets, a website ( . ' ), press releases 
and conferences, excursions, information signs and an exhibition during the 
summer of 2010 are other tools to inform the general public, which is thus full 
aware of what is going on in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders. This international 
workshop also enables experience of this kind of management to be shared. 
Zeno. the Little Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Nature Reserve 
IV CONCLUSION 
The five LIFE nature projects on the Flemish coast have had and continue to 
have effects that exceed their original purpose. They have not only enabled 
large-scale nature restoration in a short time, such as the demolition of the 
naval bases (ICCI) and the partial deforestat ion of Hannecartbos (FEYDRA), 
which would have been very difficult to achieve without EU support. The huge 
added value of these projects is the impact they have had and continue to have 
on the dialogue between conservationists and other actors. The projects have 
also boosted Flemish nature management along the coast: the total surface 
area of coastal nature reserves has increased from 450 hectares in 1996 to 1,213 
hectares in 2009. 
F1g11r( . Simulation of the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders 
• Zeno, the Little Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Nature Reserve 
ZENO Ll FE is almost completed. The initial results of ZENO Ll FE are hopeful : 
revived dialogue with other actors, which has even resulted in a new EU project 
proposal, great dynamism in the nature reserve, enthusiastic visitors and 
res idents , and fast implementation of the management plan. The first plants 
typical of dune-polder transitions have already established themselves. A carpet 
of Seas ide Centaury (Centaurium littorale) was already present in the Groenplein 
dunes in the summer after the work. And, most strikingly, on 7 September 2009 
a new plant speciesjuncus anceps was found in the Far West, in the zone where 
sods of grass were excavated (Leten M. et al. 2010) . According to Van Landuyt 
(2006) this plant species had not been found in Belgium since 1924. However, 
in 1998 Lambinon et al. contradicted this by stating that it had not been found 
in Knokke since 1983. 
The first Tree Frogs (Hyla arborea) in a very long time were also heard in the Zwin 
Dunes and Zwin Polders during the spring of 2010. 
The ZENO Ll FE nature project has therefore produced some very hopeful 
results . 
Evy Dewulf, H annah Van N ieuwenhuyse, jean-Louis H errier & Piet Lozie 
Agency for Nature Cl[ Forests 
West- Flanders 
Management Unit 
Zandstraat 255 
8200 Brugge 
wvl.anb@lne.vlaanderen.be 
Zeno, the Li tt le Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Natu re Reserve 
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Herrier J.-L. and Van Nieuwenhuyse H. (2005) The Flemish coast: life is 
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J. Van Nieuwenhuyse H. and Dobbelaere I. (Eds) . VLIZ Special Publ icat ion 19. 
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Zeno, the Little Egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish Natu re Reserve 


ZENO, the little egret at work in the Zwin Dunes and Zwin Polders Flemish nature reserves

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