Fochteloërveen, Nature reserve between Drenthe and Friesland provinces, Netherlands
Fochteloërveen is a nature reserve between Drenthe and Friesland provinces that contains extensive peat bogs, wet heathlands, meadows, and pine forests in different sections. The landscape features several shallow water bodies, including the Esmeer pingo ruin and other water-filled depressions that shape the terrain.
This area was originally part of the Smildervenen, a vast peat region covering northwestern Drenthe and adjacent Friesland, before conservation efforts began with land purchases in the 1930s. These protection measures saved the peat landscape from further destruction and established it as a permanent sanctuary.
The wetland serves as a research site for scientists studying peatland restoration techniques, water management systems, and the effects of environmental changes on local ecosystems.
The reserve can be explored on foot using marked trails that pass through different sections and reveal various habitats. Visitors who move slowly and quietly along these paths have better chances of spotting cranes and other bird species at designated viewing points.
This reserve contains one of the largest still-active raised bogs remaining in the Netherlands, supporting rare species like the large heath butterfly and multiple reptile populations. This combination of unusual bog dwellers makes the location a significant habitat for species that have become hard to find elsewhere.
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