Wolvenvallei Kralingse Bos makes way for more nature with new “ rivers ”

In the Kralingse Bos in Rotterdam, the so-called Wolvenvallei was redesigned last year. A space has been made for a cove with nature-friendly banks. During the year, plants and animals find their place here and the biotope develops. The municipality wishes to follow this on the basis of videos of visitors.

The pools (ponds / ponds) of Wolvenvallei in Kralingse Bos have been cleaned. They have been deepened and enlarged and have something that allows rainwater to flow better into the ground. The vegetation has also been adapted; in spring, flowers are sown, and in other places they allow natural vegetation to emerge.

All this in order to create a beautiful habitat for amphibians. “This idea actually arose out of necessity, because the groundwater in the forest is often much too high. As a result, trees have their feet continually in high groundwater and then they die, ”explains Niels Harteveld from the Municipality of Rotterdam.

Bert Wijbenga, City Councilor for Outdoor Spaces, adds: “Here you can clearly see that the urban nature of Rotterdam is always on the move. The cove now built here invites all kinds of plants and animals to settle there. Good for biodiversity and it also ensures the necessary water storage in the Kralingse Bos. I wonder who can capture the first dragonfly or salamander on screen!

Biodiversity

Insects, like the dragonfly, are expected to feel at home here. As are amphibians such as the newt, common toad, and brown frog. They will find food here and use the stream to breed. The first plants will grow in the spring. This spring, a specially formulated Rotterdam seed mix was sown along the shore. This will soon result in native flowers and plants that fit in well here and contribute to the city’s biodiversity.