Witterveld, protected area in Kingdom of the Netherlands
Witterveld is a protected nature reserve southwest of Assen covering about 500 hectares, featuring wetland heathlands, raised bogs, bog forests, and several small lakes. The landscape displays diverse habitats side by side, ranging from wet peat areas with sphagnum moss to dry heathlands and birch forests on boggy ground.
The area was once part of the vast Smildigervenen that covered northwestern Drenthe before peat extraction and drainage destroyed most of it from the 16th century onward. Witterveld escaped major destruction because military use as a training ground since the late 1800s prevented the large-scale interventions that affected surrounding lands.
The area reflects a landscape that once covered much of northwestern Drenthe before human activity reshaped most of it. Visitors today encounter a patchwork of bog forests, wetlands, and open heathlands that have remained largely untouched by development.
The area is not freely accessible due to its military training use, but a cycling path on the western side offers good views of the various landscape types. The best spot for observation is the strip along the western edge, where you can see the diversity of forest, heathland, and bog areas.
The area supports rare raised bog forest vegetation with natural birch trees that grow only on wet peat and feature a unique understory of sphagnum moss and dwarf shrubs. These specialized bog forests develop naturally only under extreme conditions, making Witterveld an exceptional example of these fragile ecosystems.
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