Nature management: reed lands

In the inner basin, we see extensive reed fields close to the village center, while further on, closer to the Demer, there are grasslands. Everyone spontaneously expects it to be wetter near the river, but this is rarely true. The soil at the riverbanks is sandier and is even slightly higher than the surrounding land. These are the bank terraces where heavier sand grains were deposited during flooding. Further away from the river, the smaller clay grains dominate the soil. These retain moisture for longer. But decisive for the wet clay is the spring water that comes to the surface from the surrounding higher hills.

Jan Rymenams