THE IMPACT OF LANDSCAPE-ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION STRATEGIES

This paper shows how hydro-ecological research on a local and regional scale leads to a better understanding of the functioning of low-land ecosystems. It discusses the impact that research results can have on policy planning the aim of which is to preserve and conserve wetland r eserves in The Netherlands. This is illustrated by a case study of a s mall nature reserve which contains a Cirsio-Molinietum fen. This reser ve is being seriously affected by drastic changes in local and regiona l hydrology. Management in the area is very complicated since there ar e seven participants at various administration levels. Regional nature conservation action groups also play an important role. They have suc cessfully used the research results to exert social pressure on both l ocal and provincial authorities. The complicated situation with respec t to preservation of the reserve has led from a gradual recognition of the natural values of the studied area to the implementation of an in tegral water-management plan which is based on landscape-ecological re lations.