ProGeo 2009 - Fieldtrips

Field trips Drenthe - afternoon day 1 & 2

In the afternoons of day 1 and day 2 field trips will be organized within the province of  Drenthe. The field trips will focus on educational, touristic, policy and management aspects of the geoheritage of Drenthe e.g. its glacial landforms, small streams, typical essen soils and landscapes and the links between geoheritage and archeological, cultural and natural heritage.

From a scientific point of view the international value of these Saalien till plateaus and ridges will be discussed and the relationship between glacial landforms and the pre-Saalien landscape. Tectonics and salt domes influenced stream morphology.

Other key topics will be stream management, nature development, water-retention problems, peat restoration and carbon sequestration and their relationships with the geodiversity of the area. Special attention will also be given on how the Dutch government and NGO's manage the heavy tourism and population pressures.

Field trip Ameland - day 3

This field trip focuses on the historical development of the West Frisian islands, the difference in time and scale of development of tidal flats, overwashes and dune formation. Key issues will be the management and conservations issues for this island with respect to the expected sea-level rise and climate change. Farmers are already discussing growing more salt-tolerant crops. Tidal-flat restoration and sheep farming meet with opposition. The Frisian isles are visited by many tourists in summer: about ten times their number of inhabitants. The tourist sector generates approximately 90% of the region's GNP. To combat desiccation of the nature areas, piped water is brought here from the main land. Over the years, nature trails with limited access during the breeding season have been accepted by the local population.

Programme Drenthe field trip day 1 - Essen and stream landscape (about 4 hours)

• Fochteloo - restoration of peat growth, walking and cycling paths for tourists;
• Esmeer - biggest pingo remnant of The Netherlands;
• Veenhuizen - museum, penal colony, peat canals, structure of land reclamation area, visitor centre;
• Langelo - development and management of the Aa and valley, salt domed landscape structure, gas and CO2 storage;
• Norg, Westerveld - geoheritage elements of the traditional medieval essen landscape;
• Noordse veld - original till plateau heathland, prehistoric burial mounds, soil management;
• Drentse Aa - Quartenary stream development and nature management;
• Gasterensche duinen - high river dunes, old Hanze road;
• Balloo - geological profile: till sequence.

Programme Drenthe field trip day 2 - Hondsrug and Hunzevalley (about 4 hours)  

• Annen - essen, village, traditional stream valley, viewpoint Hondsrug, dry valleys;
• Anner Groenlanden & Spijkerboor - riverdune heritage, meander restoration, water retention;
• peat reclamation landscape;
• Drouwenerzand - Hondsrug cover and drift sand morphology, stone digging, prehistoric route;
• Hunebed Centrum Borger - visitor centre for megalithic tombs built of erratics.

Programme organisers and tour guides

• Province Drenthe
  drs Enno Bregman
• Geological Survey
  drs. Aleid Bosch
• Van Hall Larenstein
  drs. Gerrie Koopman
• Gemeente Assen
  drs Jan Lagendijk
• Province Drenthe
  Marion Speelman
• Geomorfologie & Landschap
  drs. Hanneke van den Ancker
• Hunebedcentrum Borger
  Harrie Wolters 
• Waterschap Hunze & Aa's
  Uko Vegter

Programme field trip Wadden - day 3 - Ameland  (full-day)

• short history of the Frisian landscape on the way;
• tidal flats;
• ferry crossing over the tidal Waddensea;
• cycle tour * to the eastern side of the island - dunes, small-scale agricultural landscape;
• walk**: beach, dune formation, blow-out development, over-washes, tidal flats;
• return journey

* alternative mode of transport will be arranged on request

** rubber boots needed the water levels can be high, binoculars and bird guide recommended

Programme organizers and tour guides

• Bureau voor Strand- en Duinonderzoek
  dr. Bas Arens
• Geomorfologie & Landschap, University of Amsterdam
  prof. dr. Pieter Dirk Jungerius
• Waddensea Society
  drs. Rozemarijn Haring
• Deltares
  dr. Albert Oost
• It Fryske Gea
• Staatbosbeheer
• Rijkswaterstaat
• Landschapsbeheer Friesland
• provincie Friesland