Download LIFE12NAT/BE/001098

 Life Together - To get heath restored
LIFE12 NAT/BE/001098
Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data R e a d m o r e Contact details:
Project Manager: Bart TESSENS
Tel: 01174 24 83
Fax: 011742499
Email: [email protected]
Project description:
Background
The Natura 2000 site, Valleigebied van de Kleine Nete, is located in northeast
Flanders, in the central Campine region, and covers 4 884 ha. The project
focuses on 732 ha in the eastern part of this site, where nutrient-poor sandy
soils are predominant. In 1935, the project area was mostly a heathland
landscape, with a complex of land dunes and dry and wet heath. However, by the
1950s, it was used mainly for agricultural purposes, and today the area is
dominated by homogeneous coniferous woods, and intensively farmed
agricultural land. Nevertheless, on an area of 107 ha, some dunes and wet
heathland habitats remain. In spite of problems of eutrophication, fragmentation
and isolation, and high recreational pressure, the prospects for restoring
valuable habitats are good, especially the habitat of the smooth snake (C oronella
austriaca), which can be found in the area. Objectives
The project’s main objective is to restore habitats and create an ecological
infrastructure in the Valleigebied van de Kleine Nete Natura 2000 site.
Conservation measures foreseen for the species and habitats targeted in the
project area include: - Restoration of dune and heathland habitats by changing
land use on an area of 61 ha. - Conversion of 15 ha of homogenous pine forest
into old oak woods. - Elimination of the invasive alien species, Prunus serotina,
into old oak woods. - Elimination of the invasive alien species, Prunus serotina,
in a 90 ha forest. - Regulation of recreation activities and the closing off an area
of 100 ha to the public. - The creation of two grazing blocks. - The creation of
two core areas of habitat, covering 50 ha for the smooth snake. - Construction of
corridors. - Monitoring of results. In addition, the project aims to increase public
awareness and understanding of the conservation actions, encourage the
exchange of knowledge amongst local stakeholders and other projects, and
facilitate the dissemination of project results. It also aims to enhance cooperation
between the partners and create a solid basis for collaboration in the future. Expected results: 1) Habitat restoration and the creation of ecological
infrastructure: - A global vision and a concrete plan of execution. - 31 ha of
agricultural land and 30 ha of homogenous pine forest converted to dune and
heathland habitats. - Improvement of 150 ha of dune and heathland habitats. The removal of 15 ha of homogenous pine forest and its replacement with old
oak woods. - Control of the invasive alien tree species, Prunus serotina. Regulation of recreational activities and the closing of100 ha to the public. - Two
grazing blocks established. - Two uninterrupted core habitat areas of 50 ha for
the smooth snake. - Corridors and connections through the forests in the project
area, with habitats and populations in surrounding areas. - A decrease in
eutrophication of the habitats by halting intensive agricultural activities in
adjacent areas.
2) Communication and dissemination of results: - Public events at the start and
at the end of the project - At least eight interactive guided walks for the public. At least four newsletters distributed in Lommel (over 33 000 inhabitants). - Four
notice boards. - Eight press conferences and eight press releases. - Two
information packages, one new hiking map, and one thematic cycling route. - An
active platform of stakeholders at regional level and an active platform of Life+
projects at European level. - A two-day international conference. - A report on
ecosystem functions and the socio-economic impact.
Results
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Environmental issues addressed:
Themes
Habitats - Heath and Scrublands
Keywords
restoration measure‚ protected area Target species
Coronella austriaca Target Habitat types
6230 - "Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain
areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe)"
9190 - Old acidophilous oak woods with Quercus robur on sandy plains
2310 - Dry sand heaths with Calluna and Genista
2330 - Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands
4010 - Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix
4030 - European dry heaths
Natura 2000 sites
SCIBE2100026Valleigebied van de Kleine Nete met brongebieden, moerassen en
heiden
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Beneficiaries:
Coordinator
Type of organisation
Description
Partners
Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos
Regional authority
The Agency for Nature and Forests of the
Flemish ministry of the environment is the
competent public authority in the Flemish
region for nature conservation and forestry
policy, as well as for the management of nature
reserves and public-owned forests (total
surface: 42 300 ha). It is also responsible for
the implementation of the Natura 2000
network in Flanders. The agency was created in
2006 through a merger of the former nature
and forests and parks divisions. Inverde, Belgium Municipality of Lommel,
Belgium SCR-Sibelco NV, Belgium Top
Administrative data:
Project reference
LIFE12 NAT/BE/001098
Duration
Total budget
EU contribution
Project location
01-OCT-2013 to 31-DEC -2018
1,447,117.00 €
723,558.00 €
Vlaams Gewest(België - Belgique)
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Read more:
Project web site
Project's website
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Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data R e a d m o r e