The project: Oude Spui, Maasdijk, Netherlands
Classical agricultural land was changed to nature inclusive farmland by Hoogheemraadschap Delfland. This area included three new waterways. In these waterways new aquatic plants were planted to increase local biodiversity. However, transplanting submerse and floating vegetation often fails and is seldom done with biodegradable material.
Solutions: BESE-mesh to transplant submerged aquatic vegetation
Different species of submersed vegetation and floating vegetation were gathered from surrounding areas and relocated to the new waterways in different plots. Each plot had a different species and an anti-foraging cage.
The species used are:
- Sago pondweed, Stuckenia pectinata (Schedefontijnkruid)
- Hornwort, Ceratophyllum demersum (Grof Hoornblad)
- Small pondweed, Potamogeton pusillus (Tenger fontijnkruid)
- Water-starwort, Callitriche palustris (SterrenKroos)
- Eurasian watermilfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum (Aarvederkruidkruid)
Design: BESE-mesh sleeves filled with vegetation
BESE-mesh sleeves were filled with the gathered vegetation and pinned underwater. The BESE-mesh degrade after approximately a month giving the vegetation the time to form roots at the bottom.
First observations after a month show the BESE-mesh biodegrading and the vegetation growing.
