International Biodiversity Day - 22 May 2002 Symposium: Ten years after Rio. What future for biodiversity in Belgium?

Abstracts of the posters 18-38 THE GENETICS OF MARINE ORGANISMS OF THE BELGIAN CONTINENTAL SHELF F.A.M. VOLCKAERT, G. GEETS, E. GYSELS, B. HELLEMANS, T. HUYSE, C. PAMPOULIE en M. ZIETARA, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Ch. de Bériotstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, tine.huyse@bio.kuleuven.ac.be We address at two levels the question whether the structuring of the ecosystem of the Belgian continental shelf (BCS) is reflected in the genetic diversity and structuring of its marine taxa. First, we study the phylogenetic relationships of gobies from the genus Pomatoschistus using mtDNA sequencing. They are among the most abundant species of the BCS. Phylogenetic analysis has shown that this genus forms an interesting complex of species showing different degrees of relatedness and niche overlap. These fish species are parasitized by monogeneans of the genus Gyrodactylus. There is a remarkable congruence between the phylogenies of the host and some of its parasites, although some host switches can be found as well. Secondly, we go down to the population level of the sand gobies. P. minutus displays a high level of diversity and a pattern of genetic homogeneity, which might be attributed to larval dispersal, at least on a scale of tens of kilometres. P. lozanoi occupies a more specialized niche and its genetic diversity is higher. There is a clear inshore-offshore gradient on the BCS, maybe due to selection. We conclude that the genetic biodiversity of the BCS closely reflects the marine landscape with its diversity of niches. THE USE OF GENETIC TOOLS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF THE ENDANGERED BULLHEAD (COTTUS GOBIO L., 1758) IN FLANDERS D. KNAPEN1,2, G. KNAEPKENS1,3, L. BERVOETS2, M. EENS3 and E. VERHEYEN1 1 Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut voor Natuurwetenschappen, Section Taxonomy and Biochemical Systematics, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, dries.knapen@belgacom.net 2 Universiteit Antwerpen, RUCA, Research group Ecophysiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp 3 Universiteit Antwerpen, UIA, Department of Biology, Universiteitsplein 1, 2160 Wilrijk The European bullhead ranges from North Spain to Scandinavia, excluding only Scotland and Ireland. In Flanders, the bullhead is regarded as highly vulnerable, and is therefore fully protected by law in Belgium. Bullheads are known to have low dispersal capabilities. In addition, vertical migration barriers higher than 20 cm are impassable for bullheads. Consequently, human activities can have a large impact on the viability of bullhead populations. In Flanders, all remaining bullhead populations are confined to the upper courses of some rivers and streams, where conditions are favourable. As a result, Flemish bullhead populations are highly fragmented and isolated. In order to evaluate the problem, we studied genetic variation in the remaining populations using microsatellites. We also examined the longitudinal extent of the populations, and measured the populations' physiological condition. Small patch size appears to act limiting on genetic variation. This could be caused by inbreeding and/or genetic drift. Low genetic variation was associated with a low physiological condition, which in turn was related to fitness. As a result, fragmentation of the bullhead's habitat can jeopardize the long-term survival of this species. Several conservation strategies can be considered: (a) Removal of migration barriers in order to enlarge the populations' patch size, (b) Restauration of the original habitat, (c) Breeding programmes, (d) Translocation of individuals from other populations. However, translocations from other populations should be carried out with care! Several evolutionary bullhead lineages are found in Flanders. Mixing these lineages could break up existing adaptations, which would reduce the evolutionary flexibility of the populations. ECO-ETHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF BATS DEMONSTRATE THE NEED FOR A PROPOTION LARGE-SCALE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE THEIR CONSERVATION STATUS TH. KERVYN, G. MOTTE, M.-C. GODIN and R. LIBOIS, Université de Liège, Zoology Institute, Unit of Zoogeography, Quai Van Beneden 22, 4000 Liège In the bat preservation policy, focus has long been put on the conservation of hibernation caves and, more recently, on their maternity roosts. Research developed by our team for more than five years on different threatened species have put in evidence the major interest of a third component of the bats life: food and feeding grounds. The study of the diet and of its seasonal and local variations as well as investigations about the habitat use have shown the major importance of some insect taxa as well as the predominant use of some habitat features. Different arthropod species such as spiders, cockchafers, Aphodius, tipulids and, in the case of Myotis emarginatus, the blood-fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) play a key-role in the energy balance of the bats. Some of them are very sensitive to the use of helminthicids in cattle. To implement an efficient bat conservation programme, special attention should be paid to this problem. Some habitat features, such as hedges, meadows, deciduous forest edges and some types of deciduous forests are preferred by bats as feeding grounds. The preservation of a semi-open landscape (with hedges, isolated trees, tree rows, ...) or of a convenient forest cover is of particular importance for the conservation of bats. As they forage at distances varying from the immediate vicinity of their roost to several kilometres, strong landscape restoration or preservation measures should be taken at least in a radius of 2 km from the roosts. When designed for bat species, Natura 2000 areas should be large enough to incorporate the feeding grounds and their connective elements. CHAUVES-SOURIS DE LA REGION BRUXELLES-CAPITALE G. KAPFER et P. DEVILLERS, Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, Section de Biologie de la Conservation, Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Bruxelles, kapfer.geraldine@caramail.com Depuis septembre 1998, la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale (RBC) bénéficie d'un programme Life-Nature visant à améliorer les conditions d'accueil des chauves-souris. On estime que 16 espèces de Chiroptères pourraient se reproduire dans la Région, compte tenu de l'aire de distribution et des exigences écologiques de ces espèces. Des recherches réalisées entre avril et août 2001 ont apporté des informations sur les choix des milieux de gagnage des chauves-souris chassant dans les différentes Zones Spéciales de Conservation impliquées dans le programme Life-nature. Des données ont été obtenues pour neuf espèces. Des expériences de capture d'insectes ont démontré que les densités d'insectes étaient plus grandes au-dessus des zones fauchées annuellement, qu'au niveau des pelouses tondues. Les zones exploitées préférentiellement par les Chiroptères ont été localisées dans différents parcs. Les chauves-souris semblaient chasser au-dessus des zones naturelles (riches en insectes), en revanche la majorité des espèces paraissaient éviter les zones proches des routes et vierges de végétation. Ces résultats semblent confirmer la grande diversité en mammifères de la RBC, et montrent que les insectes et les chauves-souris répondent positivement aux opérations de gestion réalisées sur la végétation. Afin d'augmenter la biodiversité, il faut donc encourager la gestion différenciée qui crée une mosaïque d'habitats. Bats of the Brussels-Capital Region For the past three years, the Brussels Capital Region has benefited from a EU Life-Nature programme aiming at improving bat habitat and food resources. It is estimated that 16 species of bats could be breeding in the Region, taking into account the range and ecological requirements of the species. Work undertaken between April and August 2001 contributed new information on foraging preferences of bats in various Special Conservation Areas involved in the European Life-Nature programme. Data were obtained for 9 species. Insect capture experiments showed that insect densities are higher on sites naturally managed (with annual hay cutting) than on close-cropped lawns. Identification of habitats used by bats was carried out in different urban parks. Bats appear to hunt preferably over insect rich naturally managed areas, while most species seem to avoid sites in the vicinity of roads and without vegetation cover. Both insects and bats appear to respond positively to management measures applied to the vegetation. These initial results confirm the richness and diversity of the Region mammal fauna. In order to increase biodiversity, differentiated management measures that create a mosaic of habitats must be encouraged. BUTTERFLY DIVERSITY LOSS IN FLANDERS (NORTH BELGIUM): EUROPE'S WORST CASE SCENARIO? D. MAES1 and H. VAN DIJK2 1 Instituut voor Natuurbehoud, Kliniekstraat 25, B-1070 Brussel, dirk.maes@instnat.be 2 Universiteit Antwerpen, Department of Biology, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, hvdyck@uia.ua.ac.be We illustrate the strong decrease in the number of butterfly species in Flanders (north Belgium) in the 20th century using data from a national butterfly mapping scheme. Nineteen of the 64 indigenous species went extinct and half of the remaining species are threatened at present. Flanders is shown to be the region with the highest number of extinct butterflies in Europe. More intensive agriculture practices and expansion of house and road building increased the extinction rate more than eightfold in the second half of the 20th century. The number of hot spots decreased considerably and the present-day hot spots are almost exclusively in the Northeast of Flanders. Species with low dispersal capacities and species from oligotrophic habitats decreased significantly more than mobile species or species from eutrophic habitats. We discuss these results in a NW-European context and focus on concrete measures to preserve threatened butterfly populations in Flanders. OPMARS VAN STEENMARTER MARTES FOINA IN VLAANDEREN IN HISTORISCHE CONTEXT K. VAN DEN BERGE, V. VAN DEN EYNDE en F. BERLENGEE, Instituut voor Bosbouw en Wildbeheer, Gaverstraat 4, 9500 Geraardsbergen, koen.vandenberge@lin.vlaanderen.be Over de historische verspreiding van de Steenmarter in Vlaanderen zijn slechts zeer weinig bronnen beschikbaar. Enkele natuurhistorische werken uit de 19de eeuw beschouwen de soort nog als algemeen voor gans België. Op basis van gepubliceerde resultaten van verdelging van schadelijk wild in het weekblad 'Chasse et Pêche', vanaf 1882, blijken Steenmarters evenwel nog nauwelijks voor te komen in Vlaanderen, en dit tot halfweg de 20° eeuw. Na WO II kon zich, vanuit het zuiden, een bolwerk ontwikkelen in oostelijk Vlaams-Brabant en zuidelijk Limburg, terwijl de soort elders slechts heel diffuus aanwezig bleek te zijn. Vanaf de jaren 1960 werd er in Midden-Europa een algehele toename vastgesteld. Binnen deze 'internationale context' is in Vlaanderen inmiddels eveneens een opmerkelijke dichtheidstoename en areaaluitbreiding op gang gekomen, zij het pas vanaf de jaren 1990. Vanuit het 'historische' bolwerk voltrok zich een manifeste noordwaartse uitbreiding, waarbij oostelijk Vlaams-Brabant en nagenoeg geheel Limburg thans reeds volledig geherkoloniseerd zijn. Vandaaruit lijkt zich momenteel een verdere noordwaartse doorsijpeling te voltrekken naar Antwerpen. Daarnaast blijkt ook de zuidelijke regio van de provincies West- en Oost-Vlaanderen actueel manifest geherkoloniseerd te zijn, met een analoge noordwaarst gerichte doorsijpeling over de rest van deze provincies. Advance of the stone marten Martes foina in Flanders in the historical context Only very few sources are available on the historical spread of the stone marten in Flanders. A few works in the field of natural history, dating from the 19th century, still consider the species to be generally occurring in the whole of Belgium. However, on the basis of results concerning the extermination of harmful game, published in the weekly 'Chasse et Pêche', from 1882 onwards, stone martens appear to occur only very rarely in Flanders, up to halfway through the 20th century. After World War II, starting in the south, a bulwark was able to develop in the eastern part of Flemish Brabant and the southern part of Limburg, whereas the species appeared to occur only very diffusely elsewhere. From the 1960's onwards, a general increase could be noticed in Central Europe. Within this "international context", Flanders is in the meantime also characterised by the start of a remarkable increase of density and area expansion, be it only from the 1990's onwards. An obvious expansion developed from the 'historical' bulwark towards the north, leading to an almost complete recolonization of the eastern part of Flemish Brabant and practically the whole of Limburg. From there on, the species seems to pass further on in the northern direction, to Antwerp. Apart from that, the southern region of the provinces of West and East Flanders appears to be obviously recolonized at this moment as well, with a similar development northwards, thus covering the rest of these provinces. COYPU (MYOCASTOR COYPUS) IN FLANDERS: WILL THEY BECOME A PEST? G. VERBEYLEN and J. STUYCK, Rat Control, Instituut voor Bosbouw en Wildbeheer, Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 115, 9820 Merelbeke, goedele.verbeylen@lin.vlaanderen.be The coypu originates from South America and was imported to Europe in the mid twenties for its fur. In the thirties they were also imported into North America as furbearer, but also to destroy water plants and later even sold as 'weed-cutters'. When fur was no longer a profitable product, they were released and could establish vital populations in both Europe and North America. They are regarded everywhere as pest animals that damage crops, dikes and marsh vegetation, and people try to control them. Until now total eradication was only attempted and successful in the UK. In North America, they are still used for fur and meat. At the moment numbers in Belgium are estimated at a few hundred individuals. This is not much compared to other European countries like France and Italy, where it is probably too late to eradicate them. The colder climate in Belgium, especially in years when winter temperatures are low, keeps the population from quickly becoming a pest. But due to the absence of cold winters in the last few years, coypu are increasing. What should be done? ASIAN CHIPMUNKS IN DE PANNE (BELGIUM): IS A POPULATION EXPLOSION LIKELY? G. VERBEYLEN1, L. DE BRUYN2 and E. MATTHYSEN3 1 Instituut voor Bosbouw en Wildbeheer, Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 115, 9820 Merelbeke, goedele.verbeylen@lin.vlaanderen.be 2 Instituut voor Natuurbehoud, Kliniekstraat 25, 1070 Brussel 3 Universiteit Antwerpen Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerpen Asian chipmunks are imported in Belgium as pets since the early sixties. Now there are 4 free-living populations in Belgium, one of them in the Calmeynbos (De Panne). In their original distribution area these animals can, at high densities, cause a lot of damage to agricultural fields. In the Zoniënwoud (Brussels), a negative influence on some ground breeding birds is suggested, but not proven. But, even without proof and especially during years with low seed production and high chipmunk densities, one can imagine the negative effect on other seed-eating animals. A first step for a more specific study on the interaction of chipmunks with the forestal ecological system is this estimate - by transect counts and capture-mark-recapture - of chipmunk numbers and distribution, conducted in fall 1998-2001 in the Calmeynbos. This very local and isolated chipmunk population seems to be kept in line by environmental factors, which makes their extermination less urgent than other, already very large populations (like in the Zoniënwoud). Nevertheless, the public should already be made aware of the damage these very cute animals may cause when they reach high densities. But to substantiate this scenario to really convince people, much more elaborated research will be necessary in future. STORKS WITHOUT BORDERS NATUURPUNT, Mercierplein 1, 2800 Mechelen, info@natuurpunt.be Storks without borders is a project run by Natuurpunt, AMINAL, the animal parc Planckendael and the Zwin, which has for aim to tag Flemish white storks by satellite. The aim of the project is to describe the flyway of the storks to West Africa and identify threats and potential stopover sites. The project is accessible to the public at http://www.ooievaars.vlaanderen.be  DE INTERMEDIAIRE ATLANTISCHE HEIDE NATUURPUNT, Mercierplein 1, 2800 Mechelen, info@natuurpunt.be Heides in Oost- en West-Vlaanderen zijn bijzonder. Het gaat om een intermediaire variant tussen Noord-Atlantische heide (Kempen tot Noord-Duitsland) en de Atlantische heide (Engeland - Bretagne). Het areaal van deze heide is erg beperkt. Vandaag zijn enkele kleine relicten overgebleven. De zorgwekkende toestand van dit heidetype was aanleiding voor een project met de steun van de E.U. De grootste oppervlakte heide wordt beheerd in het natuurreservaat Gulke Putten. In het reservaat Maldegemveld wordt hard werk gemaakt van herstelbeheer. The Intermediate Atlantic Heath Heathlands in East and West-Flanders are particular. They are an intermediate variant of the North-Atlantic Heath (from 'Kempen' to North-Germany) and the Atlantic Heath (England - Brittany). The area of this heathland is very reduced. Today, only small remnants still exist. The critical state of this heath type led to a project supported by the EU. The major heathland area is managed within the nature reserve 'Gulke Putten'. In another reserve, 'Maldegemveld', efforts are devoted to restoration management. NATUURINRICHTINGSPROJECT 'HET VINNE' I. VAN DIENDEREN, Vlaamse Landmaatschappij, Gulden-Vlieslaan 72, 1060 Brussel, ilse.vandienderen@vlm.be The provincial domain 'Het Vinne' (Vlaams-Brabant) has an area of approximately 130 ha and is situated in the valley of the 'Kleine Gete'. Before 1850, 'Het Vinne' was mainly a natural lake, with a surface of 100 ha and a depth of 2 to 3 m. Around 1850, drainage of the lake was started for agricultural purposes and poplars were planted. Nowadays, the domain is still drained by water pumps. Since the poplars are ready to be cut down, the Province, which became owner of the domain in the meantime, wants to make plans for the future of 'Het Vinne'. Therefore, it has asked the Institute for Nature Conservation to make an ecohydrological study of the domain. Afterwards, a nature management project was started. Aim is to partially restore the ancient situation through the natural (by stopping the water pumps) establishment of a lake with a surface of 60 ha and a depth of 1 m. In the dry areas around the lake, the forest will be conserved as much as possible. Much attention will also be dedicated to nature education. VLM and AMINAL (Nature Section) are now in the process of obtaining the necessary documents before starting the practical phase of the nature development plan. The project will probably be completed by the end of 2004.  30-33 MILITAIR OEFENTERREIN KAMP BEVERLO AMINAL, Afdeling Natuur Limburg, Gouverneur Roppesingel 25, 3500 Hasselt, elly.bogaerts@lin.vlaanderen.be Landschap met grote natuurwaarde. Het landschap van het Kamp Beverlo is zeer afwisselend. Stuifduinen, heide en graslanden gaan geleidelijk over in uitgestrekte bossen. De verscheidenheid in bodem en waterhuishouding zorgt voor een grote biodiversiteit. De 'Commissie Bos- en Natuurbeheer' maakt een beheersvisie om dit unieke bos- en natuurgebied te beschermen en te ontwikkelen. Biodiversiteit beschermen. De Europese regelgeving verplicht de lidstaten maatregelen te nemen in speciaal afgebakende gebieden om de leefomstandigheden voor zeldzame of bedreigde soorten te behouden en te beschermen. Soms zijn ingrijpende herstelmaatregelen en een intensief omvormingsbeheer noodzakelijk. Kamp Beverlo is omwille van de grote biodiversiteit aangeduid als vogelrichtlijngebied en voorgedragen als habitatrichtlijngebied en zal deel uitmaken van het Natura2000 netwerk. Militair gebruik en natuur. Het ministerie van Landsverdediging sloot in 1999 een protocol af met het Vlaams Gewest (AMINAL). Deze overeenkomst heeft betrekking op het natuur- en bosbeheer op de militaire domeinen. De militaire overheid verbindt zich er toe bij militair gebruik rekening te houden met de grote natuurwaarden van het gebied. Natuur- en bosbeheer. Het reguliere bos- en natuurbeheer, noodzakelijke herstelmaatregelen en een intensief omvormingsbeheer worden beschreven in een beheersplan. Het beheer zelf is arbeidsintensief en zwaar werk. Gelukkig kan AMINAL bij het beheren van dit uitgestrekte gebied een herder met zijn kudde Drentse heideschapen en ook een kudde runderen inzetten. Informatie: Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap, AMINAL, afdeling Natuur en afdeling Bos en Groen. Tel. 011-26 44 90. Ministerie van Landsverdediging, Stafdepartement Welzijn, Divisie Leefmilieu. Tel. 02-2645310. Kamp Beverlo, Commando. Tel. 011-39 85 60. Military training zone Camp Beverlo Landscape with ecological values. The landscape of Camp Beverlo (province of Limburg, Belgium) is very diverse: from land dunes, heath and grasslands to forests. The variation in soil and aquatic system is due to an extremely valuable ecological biodiversity. The 'Commission of Forestry and Nature Management' recently worked out a vision on nature management to safeguard and develop this unique area. Protection of biodiversity. The European legislation obliges the member states to take protection measures in special protection zones. The site Camp Beverlo is proposed as a Special Protection Area for the EU Wild Birds Directive and Habitat Directive. Military use and nature. In 1999 the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Flemish Community (AMINAL) signed an agreement about nature management in 21 selected military sites. The Belgian Armed Forces protects the ecological values of these areas during military activities. Nature and forest management. Nature management, forestry and all necessary restoration activities are specified in a management plan. Nature management is hard work. For AMINAL a shepherd with his 500 'Drentse heath sheep' and an extensive grazing experiment with cattle are important help in managing such an immense area. More information: Ministry of the Flemish Community, AMINAL, Division Nature and Division Forests. Tel. 011-26 44 90. Ministry of Defence, Staff Department Well-being, Environmental Division. Tel. 02-264 53 10. Camp Beverlo, Commando. Tel. 011-39 85 60. SCIENTIFIC FORUMS AS USEFUL TOOLS TO INTEGRATE BIODIVERSITY ISSUES INTO SECTORAL POLICIES ETIENNE BRANQUART1 and JURGEN TACK2, Belgian Biodiversity Platform 1 Centre de recherche sur la nature, la forêt et le bois, Avenue Maréchal Juin 23, 5030   Gembloux, e.branquart@mrw.wallonie.be 2 Instituut voor Natuurbehoud, Kliniekstraat 25, 1070 Brussel, jurgen.tack@instnat.be The Belgian Biodiversity Platform (BBPF) is an advisory and communication body of the OSTC (Belgian federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural affairs) for scientific aspects of biodiversity study and conservation. Our aims are to perform a critical analysis of the current biodiversity research in Belgium, to promote research initiatives, and to enhance access to scientific information. In order to promote the sustainable management of ecosystems and the conservation of their biodiversity, our platform develops a website and animates thematic forums in close collaboration with Belgian Research Institutes. These forums gather and exchange scientific information; they stimulate contact with other scientists, field practitioners and policy makers. More information: http://www.biodiversity.be/bbpf THE CONTRIBUTION OF LEISURE-TIME RESEARCHERS TO BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH J. BOSSELAERS1 and M. BOSSELAERS2 1 R. Novarumlaan 2, 2340 Beerse, hortipes@dochterland.org 2 mark.bosselaers@pi.be Leisure-time researchers can offer a valuable contribution to biodiversity studies in research areas like taxonomy, faunistics and floristics, ecology and conservation. Some groups of organisms (birds, butterflies...) enjoy a long tradition of leisure-time researcher study, other groups have been studied far less (arachnids, bryophytes...). Good leisure-time researchers can engage in field work, identification, collection management, species description. Some leisure-time researchers have produced inferior work impeding taxonomic progress or pursued commercial interests conflicting with science, but the majority are dedicated workers involving almost no labour cost. Collaboration of leisure-time researchers with scientific institutes is of prime importance in guaranteeing the quality of the work performed, the institutes offering training, follow-up, literature, loan of specimens, occasions for publication and use of equipment. On the other hand, leisure-time researchers can offer institutes valuable data, collections and joint publications. Membership of relevant naturalist societies is another prerequisite of good leisure-time research work in biodiversity. The "dochterland" group of three leisure-time researchers is briefly elaborated as an example, engaging in studies of spiders, pseudoscorpions, small butterflies, marine micromolluscs and fossil whales in collaboration with RBINS, MRAC and KULeuven.   38   CREATING NEW PERSPECTIVE FOR FOREST BIODIVERSITY: PARTICIPATORY   PLATFORM OF THE SOIGNIES FOREST G. TIMMERMANS, Participatory Platform of the Soignies Forest, Chaussée de La Hulpe, 311, 1170 Brussels, fdszw@gotim.be The part of the Soignies Forest located within the Brussels Capital Region covers 1,657 ha in a heavily urbanised area. In order to fulfill international engagements concerning sustainable forest management, the Brussels Institute for the Management of the Environment has established a management plan of the Soignies Forest. The plan includes the creation of a participatory platform that will bring together all forest users. The Soignies Forest is not only a production forest, but it also has a very important social function (about 750,000 visitors per year) as well as an ecological one (384 plant species, 39 mammal species, 132 bird species). The platform is one of the tools that will help improve the integration of all these functions. The platform is built on the participation of all forest users: walkers, joggers, naturalists, bikers, dog owners, horse-riders, youth organisations, people with reduced mobility and all actors of the wood sector. Meetings will be organised in order to define action plans, awareness campaigns, etc. Themes and orders of priority will be defined by the participants themselves, with particular attention to the needs of the managers of the forests. Each theme will be covered during a four-month period, at the end of which a programme of work will be established. The implementation of proposals will then start immediately. Potential themes include path usage, creation of a mountain-bike track, and of course the preservation of forest biodiversity.

 

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