Pitrus en (veen)mos: gewild zomerhabitat voor adders en andere reptielen

De adder staat vooral bekend als soort van heide en hoogveen op de hoge zandgronden. Vraag een willekeurige Nederlander naar waar deze prachtige soort te vinden is en men zal vaak een beeld schetsen van een heideterrein met een zandpad. Maar het ligt anders. Adders hebben namelijk gedurende het jaar steeds andere behoeften en zoeken hierbij ook bijpassende habitats in hun leefgebied. Onderzoek door middel van vangst-hervangst in Drenthe geeft extra bevestiging en inzicht in deze behoeften. Pitrus and peat(moss): popular summer habitats for vipers and other reptiles Although European adders (Vipera berus) in the Netherlands are often associated with dry heathlands, research in Drenthe using capture– recapture techniques shows that they rely on a mosaic of habitats throughout the year. In early spring, they occupy higher, dry heathland with heather and purple moor-grass, which also serves as wintering grounds. From mid-April, many migrate ! sometimes over hundreds of metres ! to lower, wetter areas for summer habitat. Two wet habitat types are important. Wet heathland is the first type, dominated by cross-leaved heath, sphagnum moss and cotton grass. Rush- and mossrich fields are the second type (with soft rush Juncus e"usus), often on former farmland, o"ering cover, thermoregulation opportunities and targets but prove highly valuable for adders, slow worms, grass snakes and viviparous lizards. Such habitats are often overlooked in land management. A case study at Leggelderveld shows that careful planning ! using detailed reptile surveys and phased sod-cutting ! can prevent the loss of key summer areas and help to maintain population viability. Takeaway: Soft rush and moss-dominated wetlands are crucial summer habitats for adders and other reptiles. Land management should recognise their ecological value and adjust interventions accordingly.