Vlasrootven, rich nature on poor soil

Walked on 3 January 2023

For extra walk see https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/route/view/8704980/wandelroute/loondermolenpad-een-glibberige-natte-natuurparel-bij-de-volmolen at this starting place. AND also ran on 3 January 2023

Vlasrootven

About 10,000 years ago, the Netherlands was a barren, arid landscape that resembles the tundra in northern Europe. Some measly bushes and a single tree try to stay alive on this plain. A storm howls over the area, the wind gets free rein on the almost bare bottom. Sand is blown away and deposited in other places. This does not happen randomly, because the wind usually blows from southwest to northeast. Between Heers and Waalre is a piece of forest. There will be a bit more height difference in the landscape, which was created by sand drifts in the last ice age.

VELDHOVEN - Of course, that sand came from somewhere. To the right of the Volmolenweg are some lakes: the Grote and Kleine Vlasroot. These are the places where the sand has been blown away.
The rainwater, which ends up in these layers, does not sink but remains on an impermeable soil layer. This creates puddles with a strongly fluctuating water level. After a prolonged rainfall, the water is high; In case of drought, a lot of water evaporates and the water level drops again.

Low in food

All fens in the Kempen originated in a very nutrient-poor area. That's probably why they've been around for so long. In a puddle with a lot of nutrients, the plant growth ensures dense growth of the fen. This is happening in the small Vlasroot. The originally nutrient-poor fen has become increasingly nutrient-rich. The entire fen is covered with water lily and along the banks grows cinquefoil, among other things. The soil of the Kleine Vlasroot consists of a thick layer of sludge, being remains of plants. The nutrient richness is partly caused by the nearby meadows and fields, which are fertilized. The trees, which are up to the water, also contribute to the enrichment of the water.

Dredging

The Great Flax Root is much poorer in food. That is, among other things, seen in the soil, which is much sandier. There is also less plant growth than in the Kleine Vlasroot. To prevent the fens from growing even further, trees and shrubs have been cut down around the Large and Small Vlasroot and the Large Vlasroot has been dredged. The wind now has free rein and less leaves end up in the water. Nature recovers quickly and a number of plants and shrubs, such as the beautiful gale, will benefit from this intervention. Within 2 years, nature will be more beautiful than ever.

Pumping out

At the end of the Grote Vlasroot is another lake. It is a sand excavation for the construction of the E3. Due to problems with the groundwater during that excavation, this water was pumped out via the Grote Vlasroot.