Ecosystem extent; ecosystem types; region

Ecosystem extent; ecosystem types; region

Region Periods Heathland and inland sand areas Driftsand, freshwater beaches and other (km2) Marine, estuaries and transitional water Total marine, estuaries and transitional (km2)
The Netherlands 2023* 48 4,119
Groningen (PV) 2023* 0 545
Fryslân (PV) 2023* 3 1,750
Drenthe (PV) 2023* 1 0
Overijssel (PV) 2023* 1 0
Flevoland (PV) 2023* 2 0
Gelderland (PV) 2023* 24 0
Utrecht (PV) 2023* 2 0
Noord-Holland (PV) 2023* 1 676
Zuid-Holland (PV) 2023* 1 161
Zeeland (PV) 2023* 0 987
Noord-Brabant (PV) 2023* 9 0
Limburg (PV) 2023* 2 0
Noord-Nederland (LD) 2023* 5 2,295
Oost-Nederland (LD) 2023* 28 0
West-Nederland 2023* 4 1,824
Zuid-Nederland 2023* 12 0
Source: CBS.
Explanation of symbols

Table explanation


The figures in this table represent the surface area of various ecosystems in the Netherlands, such as forests, agricultural lands, lakes, and parks. Each ecosystem is distinguished by specific biotic and abiotic elements, and their interactions. The table presents the ecosystem extent, with data organized based on the surface area in square kilometers per ecosystem type and per province.

Data available from: 2016

Status of the figures:
The figures are provisional.
To ensure consistent time series, the complete time series is recalculated each year if necessary, so that the latest insights and sources are also incorporated.

Changes as of November 2025:
None, this is a new table. The previous table on this topic was discontinued due to a revision of the methodology. Both the methodology, sources, and the classification of ecosystem types have been adjusted. For more information, please refer to the revised news release in Chapter 3 and the technical explanation in Chapter 4.

When will new figures be available?
New figures are published annually in November 2026.

Description topics

Heathland and inland sand areas
This class represents all heathland, inland dunes and drift sand ecosystems outside of coastal dunes.
Driftsand, freshwater beaches and other
Includes natural sand drifts and sandy areas outside dune and coastal regions.
Marine, estuaries and transitional water
This class represents all marine areas and transitional waters, including the North Sea, the Wadden Sea and other salt-water estuaries and intertidal waters.
Total marine, estuaries and transitional
Total area of the main group 'Marine, estuaries and transitional waters'.