Wildlife conservation evaluation in the Netherlands: a controversial issue in a small country

Abstract

The surface area of the Netherlands is approximately 37 000 km2, the country being among the smallest in Europe. With more than fourteen million inhabitants, the average population density of more than 4000 km_-2 is among the highest of the Continent. 4000 km₂ of the Netherlands are used for urban, industrial and transport purposes and 25 000 km₂ for agriculture. Only 2000 km₂ are clearly designated as wildlife areas: these are distributed over more than 3000 sites, of which only very few are larger than 10 km₂ (see Duffey (1982) for a description of some of the larger sites). The locations of large wildlife conservation areas and other areas with important wildlife interest, are indicated on the map of the Netherlands shown in Fig. 7.1.