Worst drought in Europe in 500 years: ‘Mediterranization’ of the Netherlands continues | Inland
It has not been as dry in Europe in five centuries as it is now. That is the disturbing conclusion of the European Drought Observatory, an organization that attacks the European Commission. This also has major consequences for the flora and fauna on land.
It is currently very dry in Europe. As much as two thirds of the continent is on alert. This has more consequences for inland shipping, electricity production and crop yield. This is evident from the latest report from a European research institute.
According to that report, on August 10, 47 percent of the European drought warning level was valid. The alert phase has been reached in 17 percent of the regions surveyed. “The drought that has started many regions of Europe since the beginning of the year and has worsened from August,” the European Drought Observatory said.
Dutch nature: Mediterranean traits
The demands and more demands of Dutch nature are horses. While species that traditionally occur here have a hard time, other plants feel more at home on Dutch soil, Floristic research Netherlands (Floron) outlines. On the website Nature Today, the organization provides an overview of winners of the favorable climate. “One person’s death is another’s bread”, the short summary.
Spectacular orchids
“In the Netherlands, more originally plant species find a place in the city and nature,” the researchers write. Among them are ‘unassuming-looking plants’ such as the wall and small torch grass, as well as ‘more spectacular orchids’, such as the bee orchid and buck orchid. Strange plant species have never arrived in the Netherlands through holidaymakers who take seeds unnoticed through their tent, clothing, car or caravan.
Among the plants that are having a hard time with the changing conditions are beeches, grasses and flowery herbs that have poor resistance to heat and drought. In places where the grass dies, good weather allows herbs to flourish, Florin explains.
This concerns, for example, the purple dead-nettle, the large poppy and the soft and small cranesbill. Red clover and ragwort are also doing well. These herbs have the advantage of being on average twenty days more comprehensive than other plants.
Mediterraneanization continues
Florin expects that ‘Mediterranization’ will continue. This can create holes in ecosystems. The question is how best to deal with this. “There is already a lot of discussion about whether we should fill these gaps with, for example, plants from more southern regions, or whether we should let nature take its course.”
This week: little rain expected
The drought in our country will increase again this week, Weeronline reports. The actual precipitation deficit probably to about 290 mm. According to the weather bureau, this is combined with the very dry year 2018 and 1921. The record year 1976 had a shortage of more than 350 mm at this time of year.
Little rain is expected this week. There is a lot of sun and only sporadic showers. “The forecast is uncertain towards the weekend. Some weather models then calculate heavy showers, but whether they really come is still very much the question,” says Weeronline.
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