More and more special animals are appearing in Amsterdam, such as the otter, the squirrel, and the kingfisher. With a new biodiversity plan, we want to better protect nature in and around the city. Because a city that gives space to nature is better for both humans and animals.
Biodiversity is the variety of life: animals, plants, fungi, and even bacteria. Biodiversity contributes to clean water, thanks to aquatic plants that filter it, and to food, as bees pollinate plants. Additionally, biodiversity makes the city more beautiful and lively, with butterflies in the garden, flowers in the roadside, and birds that sing you awake in the morning.
Vulnerable nature in a busy city
Amsterdam is home to at least 10,000 species of plants and animals. But that diversity is under pressure. Urbanization, climate change, and traffic are causing habitats to disappear and disrupting ecosystems. Along the water, grasses, nettles, and blackberries are overtaking flowers, making it harder for insects to find food. This has unpleasant consequences for birds and other animals.
Councilor Melanie van der Horst (Public Space, Green and Water) emphasizes why we are taking action: “Worldwide, plant and animal species are going extinct. And although we are proud of the biodiversity in our city, it is also vulnerable. We must ensure that we increase and protect the living space of animals and plants.”
Ecological management: nature at the center
To achieve this, the city council chooses ecological management, where nature is at the center. We already maintain about half of the public green spaces this way, and it works. Bees and butterflies are returning. Rare animals like the pine marten, kingfisher, squirrel, and otter are also being seen again in the city.
This is how Amsterdam makes room for nature
We are taking the following measures to increase biodiversity:
- Less mowing, so flowers can bloom.
- Leaving dead wood as a shelter for insects and nesting place for birds.
- Creating nesting places for kingfishers along the water.
- Making compost heaps where grass snakes can safely lay their eggs.
- Creating nature-friendly banks.
- Building tunnels under busy roads so that animals can cross safely.
Larger habitats
These measures help animals survive, move, find food, and reproduce. This creates larger, stronger habitats. Van der Horst: “We humans are part of nature, so we must take good care of it. A city with a lot of biodiversity is essential for a healthy living environment. We all need clean air, clean water, and food.”
What will you notice?
Maybe you will soon see butterflies in the garden that had previously disappeared. Or hear the sound of a kingfisher along the water. Thanks to more dragonflies and bats, you may even have less trouble with mosquitoes. What seems special now may soon become very ordinary. This way, Amsterdam is growing into a city where nature truly has space.