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RTV East
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 11:14
If drastic measures are not taken quickly, the black grouse will become extinct in the Netherlands, say researchers from Wageningen University (WUR).
The Sallandse Heuvelrug is the only place where grouse still live in our country. Since 2012, birds from Sweden have been added every year to prevent the species from becoming extinct, but the population continues to fluctuate around 20 animals, writes RTV East. Black grouse are protected and the Netherlands is therefore obliged to make every effort to preserve the species.
According to the researchers, acidification, due to nitrogen, and desiccation are particularly detrimental to the black grouse. This means there is less food for the chicks. The vegetation changes, there are fewer insects and the types of insects are smaller and therefore produce less energy.
As a result, the majority of chicks on the Sallandse Heuvelrug starve after just one pair weeks and there is no natural increase in the population. Many of the adult birds that are added are eaten by predators such as martens, foxes or hawks.
Less nitrogen and recreation
The most important thing, according to the researchers, is that the nitrogen precipitation and desiccation are reduced. If this does not happen, a self-reliant, vital population cannot develop on the Sallandse Heuvelrug.
Most of the nitrogen emissions can be traced back to stables from surrounding farms. But because there is no good data available regarding exact emissions, the advice is to set up measuring stations as soon as possible to measure nitrogen emissions in the area.
In addition, the habitat must be expanded and there must be more variation. This can be done, among other things, by connecting suitable nature reserves.
According to the research, something can also change in the short term by allowing less recreation in the area and keeping natural enemies of the black grouse out of the area.
2023-10-16 09:14:39
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