Cruysbergen, once a nutrient-poor territory, used as a sand mill for Amsterdam and subsequently converted into arable land. GNR (Goois Natuur Reserve) decided to turn back time, bought up the land, removed the nutrient-rich soil and made sure that the nutrient-poor sandy soil came to the surface again, with the result that Cruysbergen today has a very special flora and fauna and has become part of the Groene Ruggegraat in the Gooi.
- History Zanderij Cruysbergen
- Cruysbergen today
- Expansion Gijzenveen
- Flora and fauna in Cruysbergen
History Zanderij Cruysbergen
In the past, this area was used as a passage to transport sand to Amsterdam, after the sand removal, the northern part of the Cruysbergen was made suitable for arable land, something you can still see today, this nature reserve is clearly recognizable as former arable land through the straight rows of trees (mainly alders) and ditches. Villas were built in the southern part. In 1993, Goois Nature Reserve bought a large part of the northern part and restored it to its ‘old state’ as much as possible. A special nature reserve was created from the old sand mill.
Crailo Natural Bridge
Cruysbergen also played an important part in the construction of the Crailo nature bridge, when the Cruysberg area was renovated in 2006, the excavated sand, mainly top soil, was used to build the nature bridge. The excavated parts were transformed into pools.
Improving the landscape
When a plan was set up in 2003 to improve the landscape and to make the soil impoverished, which would provide special flora and fauna, the time had finally come in 2006, Cruysbergen was restored to what it is today, ditches became dredging and bridges were built, the bank vegetation of young alders (seedlings) was tackled by mowing them and cattle were placed on the area to prevent dense growth in a natural way, various plant species were brought back to the area by means of seeding and a hornbeam was constructed to promote toad migration and other exchange of flora and fauna. Furthermore, new waterways were constructed for the same reason: To enrich the area in flora and fauna and to strengthen the green backbone. Part of the policy is that nutrient-rich water (through fertilization) is banned and nutrient-poor water is allowed into the area, so the area remains unique. In 2005 an extra part was purchased from a former rose nursery. In 2007 the last plot was bought from a tree nursery.
Cruysbergen today
In 1993 the Cruysbergen was taken over by GNR, GNR’s goal was to return the Cruysbergen to a special nature reserve and to make it an important link as part of the Groene Ruggegraat between the Gooi and the Vechtplassen area (Laegjeskamp and Naardermeer) . It is part of the project “Poort Naardermeer”.
The pure seepage water that rises in this area provides a special flora and fauna, something that is immediately visible when you enter this area. The area is grazed by Scottish Highlanders, who must prevent the area from growing over and stimulate the diversity in flora and fauna.
Dogs in the area
In Cruysbergen dogs are only allowed on a leash as the area is grazed. In order not to disturb the animals in their natural behavior, dogs should not be let go.
What is there to see
Today the area looks ’empty’, especially in the winter, in the spring and summer you walk between mowing periods along tall grasses, which gives a peaceful feeling of seclusion from the neighboring residential areas. What predominates are the large field-like areas delimited by rows of trees and ditches, over the years it has become apparent that the GNR wants to continue to maintain the area in this way. There is a lot to be found, but you have to have an eye for it! It really pays off to visit the Cruysberg with a book or plant app and explore the special flora.
Expansion Gijzenveen
In 2013, the adjacent grassy area was excavated for the extension of the green backbone. This has created a wet peat area where sheep graze all year round. This has enabled the green backbone to be successfully linked to the Naardermeer, which in turn is part of Natuurmonumenten.
Flora and fauna in Cruysbergen
Cruysbergen is known for its nutrient-poor soil and waters, and the seepage water present offers a home to specific plants and therefore specific animal species.
What is special about the plants is that they can live on the nutrient-poor soil, this is not only because they simply do not need many nutrients, but is also because they can get food from the air such as the gorse, this plant does this through of root nodules. Sphagnum moss gets its food from the rainwater, not from the soil, round sundew lies on the surface of the sandy soils, this plant gets its food from insects, a carnivorous plant and the swamp cartel leaf steals its nutrients from other plants by growing its roots together with those of other plants.
A small selection of the flora and fauna of this beautiful area.
Flora
- Heath
- Bell gentian
- Gorse
- Heather
- Spanish rider
- Swamp cartel magazine
- Peat fluff
- Sphagnum moss
- Little rattle
- Bald squire
- Round Sundew
Fauna
- American crayfish
- Kingfishers
- Bokje (related to the common snipe)
- Tiny Scared Damselfly (dragonfly species)
- Rookie (butterfly)
- Heideblauwtje (butterfly)
- Pile butterfly (butterfly)
What is special about the fauna is that many animal species that are increasingly rare can feed or nest here. A perfect example of this is the slender dragonfly, a fairly rare species of dragonfly, the larvae of this dragonfly live in the water for a long time and when polluted the larvae die before they reach full maturity. The fact that the slim damselfly is doing so well here only proves how pure the water is in this area.