Long term restoration effects : Effects of restoration measures on restoration success in nature reserves in acidic fen, buffered fen, dry heather, wet heather, and wet grassland in Drenthe, Netherlands

Habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss are important factors causing loss in biodiversity and red listed species, and restoring habitats is essential in preventing this. However, there is a limited knowledge of the long term effects of restoration measures. This study focuses on analysing the long term restoration success of restoration measures carried out in a restoration program between the 1980's and early 2000's in locations of acidic fen, buffered fen, dry heather, wet heather, and wet grassland. The aim of the restoration program was to diminish the effects on ecosystems that were influenced by eutrophication, acidification, and dehydration. The locality species composition and Ellenberg values of nitrogen (EVN), moisture (EVM) and pH levels (EVpH) are analysed, by using previous and current restoration success scores from 54 locations in the province of Drenthe in the Netherlands. The dependence of restoration success score and Ellenberg values on change over time, habitat type, restoration method and EVN, EVM and EVpH are analysed. Restoration success depended on habitat type, with wet heather having significantly higher success compared to wet grasslands. The change in score over time, however, did not vary among habitats. Restoration success did not depend on restoration method(s), nor did change in restoration success. Ellenberg values varied among habitat types, and EVM changed significantly over time in dry heather, but was not significantly related to restoration success score. In conclusion, wet heather was shown to be doing quite well, but could benefit from additional restoration. Acidic fen, buffered fen, dry heather, and wet grassland have all shown poor long term restoration effects, indicating an overall need for further restoration measures. The results also highlight the importance of further studies into the effect of long term restorations, especially focused on finding successful restoration methods, and the importance of detailed data gathered in the field.