Stuifzand als leefgebied voor de levendbarende hagedis

The importance of drift-sand areas for reptiles is often underestimated. In The Netherlands the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) is the most common reptile inhabiting this particular landscape. Although completely bare driftsand seems inhospitable for reptiles in general, common lizards were found on isolated vegetated islands within in this habitat. It is known that some individuals crossed bare drift-sand of at least 80 meter. In this article the importance of four habitats within the Hulshorsterzand (NW) Veluwe) is discussed: drift-sands, lichen vegetation, wavy hair-grass (Deschampsia flexuosa) vegetation and heather (Calluna vulgaris) vegetation. Recently, land managers devote much attention to the restoration of drift-sands. Along with this restoration, reptile habitat is often destroyed and therefore it is whise to compensate this loss in the immediate area. Often, this is possible by clearing parts of the surrounding (pine) forest.