How do you create robust nature?

From wet grasslands to oak forests, strong nature arises through connected ecosystems and sufficient diversity in habitat types. This benefits both the landscape and the survival of many mammals and insects in the province. The Province of Overijssel wanted insight into the potential of its nature network.

Maartje Scholten, Project Leader Ecology at EcoGroen, and her team studied the potential for nature development on hundreds of parcels within estates, meadows, and forests that form part of the National Nature Network Netherlands (NNN). “These are like a patchwork spread across the province. But nature does not thrive when it is fragmented,” explains Maartje.

“The biodiversity of isolated nature areas is vulnerable because there is less exchange between species. That is why we advise on improving connections between isolated areas and surrounding land. Landowners can make their parcels more natural using subsidies, for example by managing them in ways that allow more flowers and plant species to return, benefiting birds and other wildlife.”

Ambition Map as input for subsidies and policy

Many areas within the National Nature Network in Overijssel border Natura 2000 sites. These parcels are managed by organizations such as Staatsbosbeheer, Landschap Overijssel, Natuurmonumenten, or private owners. “Because management methods and financing differ, fragmentation occurs,” adds Maartje. “As an owner of a small NNN section, you are often part of a larger ecosystem. It is therefore important to coordinate management properly.”

For example, if two heathland areas where grouse live are separated by a production forest, there is potential to convert it to open heathland, expanding the habitat. The Ambition Map is essentially an invitation to all landowners to contribute to stronger natural connections.

Subsidies are often essential for this. Whether managing meadow grasslands or forests, it requires time and money. The Ambition Map, created by EcoGroen with the help of GeoApps, is part of the Nature Management Plan Overijssel. Provincial policy officers can directly view ecological advice for each parcel and determine the most suitable subsidies.

Multiple useful map tools for different project phases

During the project executed by EcoGroen for the Province of Overijssel, several GeoApps tools were used depending on the project phase and needs.

Opportunity Map | PraatMee
Through the online PraatMee map, landowners could share ideas and knowledge and leave feedback on their parcels. This way, all stakeholders actively participated in the development of the connected nature network (NNN) in Overijssel. A total of 280 responses were submitted via PraatMee.
Ambition Map | PraatMee
The Ambition Map invited landowners to strengthen nature on their parcels. It also served as a basis for policymakers assessing subsidy applications. The map provided an overview of all NNN parcels in Overijssel, divided into 29 subareas and supported by EcoGroen’s ecological expertise. With old maps, elevation models, and field data, advisors could determine which nature types best fit each parcel.
Informative websites for all 29 subareas | MapTour
The ambitions for each project area were summarized in a clear and interactive way using MapTour. Each area’s website contained descriptive texts, photos, and an explanation of the Ambition Map.

100% stakeholder management

The modern GeoApps tools worked very well for EcoGroen. “With online maps, you respond as a stakeholder directly to a specific location instead of just viewing a static image. This level of detail was essential for developing both the Opportunity Map and the Ambition Map,” says Maartje.

“The project leaders at the province were very pleased with the transparent and open way of sharing and collecting information. I would certainly use GeoApps’ online tools again when managing large-scale stakeholder engagement,” she adds.

Improvement points for the map software

During the project, EcoGroen also suggested several improvements for the map software. Maartje explains: “The Opportunity Map contained many background layers, such as water maps and forest maps. We wanted to add more layers, but displaying them with a detailed legend was not always easy. In addition, stakeholders had to enter comments per location instead of grouping several remarks under one point. That was sometimes a bit tricky.”

Egbert Griffioen, project manager at MapGear, appreciates the feedback. “The PraatMee software is relatively new and still under active development. We will incorporate these improvements in the next version.”

Later this year, a new version of the PraatMee software will be released. It will include many of these enhancements and simplify the setup of map tools even further.