PEAT REMOVED - AND THEN? DEVELOPMENT OF GENTLE TOURISM AS AWAY OF PRESERVING AND RESTORING MOOR AREAS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SOUTHERN BOURTANGER MOOR IN THE AREA OF THE DUTCH-GERMAN BORDER

摘要

The "Southern Bourtanger Moor" region covers sections of a previously extensive moor region in the area of the Dutch-German border. The natural and cultural area is characterized by a mosaic made of peat areas that have been restored to their natural state, those that have been recultivated and those that are still being harvested. Planned reutilization of vast areas where the peat has been harvested opens up further development potential for the region. The surrounding countryside already accommodates successful tourism, which, until now, has only had a limited impact on the Southern Bourtanger Moor. Here the job that arises is to use the opportunity provided by the alteration of the landscape by peat harvesting for development of an attractive recreational area with tourism perspectives. The "Veenland -International Moor Nature Reserve" expert's report (BTE/Route IV 2004) recommends setting up a nature reserve, in order to integrate future development of tourism and nature conservation into the regional planning locally, to consolidate existing activities and to implement common goals in terms of sustainability.