PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The project area is situated in an area which contains a soil base ranging from sand to loam. This hosts a large and unique range of biodiversity. However, these habitats are very vulnerable because of significant fragmentation.
OBJECTIVES
The core aim of this project was to restore a mosaic of Annex I habitat types including: wet grasslands, dry grasslands and heaths, woodland, mires and ponds. Species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive would benefit from the project, which is located in central Belgium (Hageland district east of Leuven and Demer lowlands between Aarschot and Diest).
Actions proposed for the project included:
- Increasing the coverage of well-developed Molinia-meadows (6410) and Arrhenatherion grasslands (6510) via 30 ha of habitat restoration;
- Improving the coverage and quality of species-rich transition mires (7140) and the aquatic habitat Magnopotamium (3150) over a 2.5 ha target area. Such works are expected to encourage bitterns to return and breed in the project area;
- Improving the coverage and quality of alluvial forests and alder-ash woods (91E0);
- Re-establishing 25 ha of wet forest-types by removing (poplar) plantations;
- Increasing the coverage of all heath land habitats by works in an area of 10 ha targeting mainly Nardus-grasslands (6230) European dry heaths (4030), inland dunes with open Corynephorus- and Agrostis-grasslands (2330) and inland dunes (2310);
- Removing invasive alien species on a large scale, especially in the alluvial forests and ash-alder woods;
- Securing a more favourable conservation status for populations of two Annex II species (Triturus cristatus and Luronium natans); and
- Initiating a sustainable land management plan and system for all project sites. This will involve appropriate mowing and grazing regimes and making use of local voluntary sector inputs.
Habitat restoration actions by the project aimed to benefit populations of target Annex I species of the Bird Directive, such as Botaurus stellaris, Circus aeruginosus, Porzana porzana and Luscinia svecica.
In order to protect and connect the target habitats and to develop sufficiently large populations of the target species, some 100 ha of land would be purchased. Sixteen locations within the project area’s two Natura 2000 network sites would be targeted for habitat connectivity work in order to redress concerns of fragmentation. The project also aimed to integrate nature recreation benefits in its outcomes and act as an example of good practice for public participation in nature conservation activity. Overall goals for this approach aimed to increase local communities’ understanding and appreciation of and involvement in the Natura 2000 network.
In addition, 20 ha of invasive plant species would be removed and grazing management introduced over 30 ha. Twenty pools would be excavated and improved for the benefit of Triturus cristatus and Luronium natans. Following completion of the project, the Hageland area would be one of the core areas in lowland Europe for Triturus cristatus, Luronium natans, Botaurus stellaris, Circus aeruginosus, Porzana porzana and Luscinia svecica.
RESULTS
The LIFE Hageland project team restored a patchwork of habitats in Natura 2000 sites in Belgium, with benefits for protected species, biodiversity and ecosystem services. The habitats restored included a rare sequence of connected grassland types, peat bogs, and heathland. The project team also restored alluvial and other forest habitats, and ponds. Extensive grazing for habitat management was established in collaboration with a local shepherd.
The long-term restoration of the habitat types will be beneficial for the associated species and biodiversity in general. The peatlands will contribute to climate change mitigation, due to more carbon sequestration, and water buffer capacity, to reduce flooding. The restored areas are now more attractive to visitors, and improve social coherence and well-being by improving access to nature.
In particular, the project team:
- Elaborated 6 management plans;
- Purchased 115 ha for habitat restoration;
- Restored 67.7 ha of Molinia-meadows (Habitats Directive habitat type 6410) and Arrhenatherion grasslands (6510);
- Restored 3.4 ha of species-rich transition mires and quaking bogs (7140);
- Restored 11.4 ha of heath and associated grasslands (4030, 2330, 2310, 6230*);
- Restored/created 4.4 ha of aquatic habitats (3150 and 3130);
- Restored by clearing tree plantations 70.4 ha of alluvial forest and also beech, oak-hornbeam and oak forests (91E0*, 9120, 9160 and 9190);
- Management of invasive non-native species on 34.8 ha;
- Established extensive grazing on 57.9 ha;
- Restored 20 ha for northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and floating water-plantain (Luronium natans);
- Implemented 6 small-scale composting units;
- Created and installed 70 temporary panels and 12 permanent information panels;
- Produced a brochure and an information folder (5 000 copies printed);
- Completed 13 agreements with farmers for management of grasslands.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
