Dutch nature recovering, but not quickly enough

Biodiversity recovery in the Netherlands is improving, but not fast enough to meet international agreements, according to researchers at Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, which also reported severe ecological decline in both the Waddenzee and Caribbean Netherlands.

In the Waddenzee, researchers tracking 16 fish species as indicators of ecosystem health found that 15 are in poor condition. Only the butterfish is doing well.

The Waddenzee also acts as a nursery area for fish residing in other locations, offering shallow waters that shield young fish from larger predators. That function is weakening. Water temperatures are rising, causing juvenile fish to move earlier into deeper, cooler waters. Naturalis concluded that "this nursery area is functioning less and less well.”

Conditions in the Caribbean Netherlands are also reportedly deteriorating. According to the report, 7 in 10 species and 6 in 10 habitats are in "poor" condition.

Coral reefs continue to decline further. Researchers cite multiple pressures, including the presence of invasive exotic species that displace native flora and fauna. Free-roaming goats, pollution, and increasing tourism are also damaging ecosystems. Naturalis said Caribbean nature requires additional support to withstand these pressures.

Naturalis has developed a biodiversity “dashboard” tracking progress toward 14 environmental goals. Seven goals are classified as red, meaning they are out of reach. Five are orange, meaning additional effort is needed. Two goals remain under review, with no conclusion yet. No goals are currently green.

Surface water quality is improving gradually. In 2009, only 3 percent of surface water was classified as good quality. That has increased to 15 percent today. However, researchers said the Netherlands still falls far short of European requirements, which mandate that all surface water and groundwater must be in good condition by next year.