Houtwal 2.0: Traditional Hedges for Sustainable Dairy Farming in the Achterhoek

Traditional houtwalen in the Achterhoek region, especially around the Marke, vary by landscape type and support diverse native species. Key plants include hazel, silver birch, hawthorn, gorse, holly, Scots pine, pedunculate oak, alder buckthorn, black elderberry, and European mountain-ash. These hedges historically served as livestock barriers and provided habitat and food for wildlife. The Houtwal 2.0 project promotes functional houtwalen on sandy soils to enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable farming, with five demovariants designed for specific ecological and agricultural goals.