Vegetation, soil, hydrology and management in a Drenthian brookland (The Netherlands)

The relation is discussed between vegetation, soil, hydrology and management in a characteristic lower course of a Drenthian brook. Vegetation and soil were compared by overlaying vegetation and soil maps. The resulting soil spectra were compared with the land use before acquirement by the State. The plant communities were characterized by phreatophytic spectra and groundwater fluctuations. Relations between plant communities and soil units were described. In the wettest areas the hydrology seems to determine the plant communities; not only mean highest and mean lowest groundwater level, but also regarding height of inundation and water quality. The somewhat drier communities appear to be determined by (i) earlier manuring, (ii) changes in the vegetation due to recent nature management practices and (iii) changes in the vegetation due to possible draining towards agricultural areas outside the study area.