Riempjes (Corrigiola litoralis L.) terug in het rivierengebied

Until the mid-20th century, Corrigiola litoralis was recorded from river banks in several parts of the Dutch riverine area where it mainly occurred along the River Meuse and the River Waal. For a few decades, the species appeared to have become extinct in this habitat due to river canalisation and intensive agriculture, but in recent years it has been found again on river sides. In 1999, a single specimen was observed on a gravel bank along the River Meuse. In the Nijmegen region, the species seems to have reclaimed its former area along the River Waal. After the re-emergence of active sandy levees due to nature rehabilitation projects and several flood events, the species has become gradually more numerous there since 1996. Hitherto, Corrigiola litoralis has occupied four floodplains in the Nijmegen region. The species shows a preference for sandy to gravely deposits located near the river which are subject to strong morphological dynamics due to erosion and sedimentation by water currents. The sites are open and fully exposed. The moisture content of the substrate varies from moist to very dry in summer. A further increase of the species along the River Waal and River Meuse (Grensmaas) is expected due to habitat improvement resulting from nature development projects. Possibly, the species will also profit from the ongoing climate change.