Conservation of habitats and species of bocage landscapes of the Fagne and Famenne

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The conservation status of extensively managed hay meadows in Belgium’s Wallonia region has been assessed as 'unfavourable' under the Article 17 of the EU Habitats Directive. Changing land use patterns continue to present risks to the wildlife that depend on these agricultural landscapes. Wallonia’s 'bocages' are also considered under threat from changes in land use. Bocages comprise a patchwork of very small parcels of land that are separated by hedges and ditches. Such habitats provide important green infrastructure for biodiversity.

OBJECTIVES

The 'Bocages' project is focused on improving bocage landscapes and extensively managed hay meadows (6510) in Belgium’s Wallonia region. The project is targeting 10 Natura 2000 sites, in the Fagne-Famenne district.

The project’s four main objectives are to:

Re-create, in two areas, an adequate bocage network that will ensure long term conservation of characteristic habitats and associated species;

Restore a substantial surface of habitat 6510 within the bocage network;

Restore suitable habitats for the target species; and

Raise public awareness about conservation of our natural heritage.

Methods used for the restoration of the habitats will involve the purchase of land, tree and scrub removal, mowing, mulching, as well as the creation of ponds, ditches, hedgerows and corridors. Public awareness work will be funded in order to improve understanding and support for the project activities. This is expected to help increase the number of nature conservation volunteers that can contribute to the beneficiary’s operations.

Expected results:

Purchase and legal protection of 100 ha of land;

Restoration of 150 ha of extensively managed hay meadows and associated habitats;

Improvement of habitat quality for the great crested newt through restoration/creation of 75 ponds;

Improvement of habitat quality for the greater and lesser horseshoe bats and Geoffroy’s bat through the restoration of 10 km of hedgerow or riparian corridors and the creation of 10 orchards (25 trees each);

Improvement of habitat quality for the southern damselfly through the restoration or creation of 1 km of ditches;

Improvement of habitat quality for the red-backed shrike through the planting of 5 000 trees and bushes;

Improvement of the bocage landscape quality within the project area through the information and education of people involved in landscape management (farmers, foresters and municipalities);

Improvement of the general public’s awareness about natural heritage conservation and the importance of the Natura 2000 network through various outdoor and indoor activities, as well as dissemination materials, including a short film about the project; and

Strengthening of the volunteer network through the organisation of field trips and workshops (nine activities for an estimated 270 people involved).