Thematic Report on Forest Ecosystems in Belgium

 

Programme element 2: Comprehensive analysis of the ways in which human activities, in particular forest-management practices, influence biological diversity and assessment of ways to minimize or mitigate negative influences

 

9. Has your country promoted activities for an enhanced understanding of positive and negative human influences on forest ecosystems by land-use managers, policy makers, scientists and other relevant stakeholders (Work Programme, paragraph 29)
a) minimal activity X (Bxl)
b) yes - limited extent (please give details below)
c) yes - significant extent (please give details below) X (Fl, Wa)
d) not relevant

Comments on question 9 (research)

There is a long tradition of forest- and biodiversity- related research in Belgium, both in universities and in governmental scientific institutes. A comprehensive list of those projects can be found in the catalogue 'Biodiversity Resources in Belgium' at http://www.br.fgov.be/BIODIV/.

Federal level:
Through its programme 'Scientific Support Plan to a Sustainable Development Policy' (PADD II or PODO II), the Federal Office for Scientific Technical and Cultural Affairs currently finances several projects under the heading 'Global change, ecosystems and biodiversity'. Three of those projects have relevance to forests and biodiversity:

• EV/02/12: Carbon sequestration potential in different Belgian terrestrial ecosystems: quantification and strategic exploration
• EV/H1/15: XYLOBIOS: Significances and impacts of saproxylic organisms in Belgian deciduous forests
• EV/10/16A: Linking dispersal, connectivity, and landscape structure, to produce habitat evaluation / restoration guidelines
  (see http://www.belspo.be/belspo/ostc/act_scien/fedra/prog.asp?l=uk&COD=EV)

The first workshop of the Belgian Forum on Forest Biodiversity was held on 11-12 March 2002 in the Walloon Region and examined relationships between forest management practices and saproxylic invertebrates, focusing on conservation and forest health issues.

Flanders:
The Institute of Forestry and Game Management, founded in 1991, is responsible for scientific research and scientific services concerning greenery, forests, fauna, fish stock and their management. Research focuses on site research and forest development, forest ecology, forest protection, selection and breeding of forest tree species, fish stock and game management. Two Flemish Universities (Ghent and Leuven) have specialized courses in forestry and conduct research on a wide variety of scientific and policy relevant issues.

See also Belgium's Voluntary Report to UNFF-2
· § 2.1.3.5. - Research at the Flemish Institute for Forestry and Game Management.

Wallonia:
A Framework Forest Research Agreement has been convened between the Division of Nature and Forests and the forest entities of the Universities of Gembloux and Louvain-la-Neuve. This agreement comprises a five-year research program, dealing mainly with forest practices and management research, and an annual budget of about 1 million EURO. This program deals with all aspects of forest research, with only part of the budget being allocated to forest biological diversity. In this domain, the program complements the work of the Regional Centre for Nature, Forest and Wood Research.

Brussels:
Both the Flemish (V.U.B.) and French-speaking (U.L.B.) counterparts of the Free University of Brussels carry out research on forest ecosystems. The Brussels Institute for the Management of the Environment (BIME) finances several research and monitoring projects on forest ecosystems within the region (i.e. bird and mammal populations, influence of exotic species, population levels of potential insect pests, etc.).

EU-funded research:
Research Framework Programmes. Belgium participates in a number of EU-funded research projects. For an overview of past and current projects, visit the DG Research website at http://dbs.cordis.lu/search/en/simple/EN_PROJ_simple.html (with search keywords: belgium AND forest AND biodiversity).

COST actions. COST is a programme of the European Commission DG Research that aims at bringing together scientists and specialists on a specific subject, promoting cooperation. For an overview of COST actions on forests and forestry see http://cost.cordis.lu/src/signatories.cfm?domain=E (see also question 7b).

 

10. Has your country promoted activities to assemble management experiences and scientific, indigenous and local information at the national and local levels to provide for the sharing of approaches and tools that lead to improved forest practices with regard to forest biological diversity? (Work Programme, paragraph 30)
a) minimal activity X (Bxl)
b) yes - limited extent (please give details below)
c) yes - significant extent (please give details below) X (Fl, Wa)
d) not relevant

Comments on question 10 (activities for improved forest practices)

National level:
Efforts have been undertaken to improve the qualifications of forestry staff. The Flemish and Walloon Regions have institutions that focus on forestry research and high-level education. Training and extension services are important in the three Regions.

The Belgian Forum on Forest Biodiversity (see question 8) aims to provide and gather scientific knowledge in order to promote sustainable management of forest ecosystems and to enhance biodiversity conservation in woodland areas in Belgium and abroad. It has for objective to facilitate the exchange of information between scientists and forest managers and to provide scientific support to policy makers.

Several associations are actively encouraging improved forest practices through direct actions, research and awareness campaigns. Both WWF-Belgium and Greenpeace-Belgium have forest programmes targeting forests in Belgium and abroad. WWF activities are detailed at the following URLs http://www.wwf.be/fr/forets/index.html (in French) or
http://www.wwf.be/nl/forets/index.html (in Dutch).

Greenpeace is currently (2001-2002) carrying out a campaign to preserve primary forests ("Save Ancient Forests"). Actions in Belgium include increasing the awareness on illegal logging in tropical areas. For further information, see http://www.greenpeace.be/.

Flanders:
The Educational Forestry Centre Groenendaal of the Flemish region participates in a variety of activities. Since 1979, the Flemish Forest Service is organising every first or second week of October an information campaign called "the Forest Week". Each year a specific theme is brought to the attention of forest owners, forest managers, the public at large and schools by means of excursions, expositions and other public events. In 2001, a workshop has been held on the presentation of the "management vision for public forests" (29/09/2001). The Flemish Forest Service manages 10 forest visitor centres. The Forest Service also publishes several brochures about forestry items. The Institute for Forestry and Game Management publishes an annual activity-report.

Wallonia:
Actions directed towards private owners have been ongoing for ten years. They consist primarily in incentives (see question 5) and training (in collaboration with organizations of private owners), as well as measures supporting the co-operation between owners. The Division of Nature and Forests publishes technical reports on forests and nature for owners and managers, and for general public. Wallonia manages 10 regional centres for environmental education, one of which is more specifically dedicated to forest ecosystems (Centre Régional d'Initiation à l'Environnement de Saint-Hubert).

The NGO "Forêt Wallonne" organizes awareness events, training sessions for private owners and forest managers, school activities and publishes a bi-monthly magazine on forests and sustainable forest management in Wallonia.

Brussels:
The Information Centre on the Sonian Forest has been set up by the Brussels Institute for Management of the Environment (BIME), and the Free University of Brussels (V.U.B.). This Centre regularly proposes exhibits on forest-related environmental themes. Guided tours are possible, as well as guided walks in the forest (http://www.vub.ac.be/APNA/ICZO/MW.ENG/Eng.html).

The management plan of the Sonian Forest includes the creation of a participatory platform that will bring together all forest users, who will meet regularly 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. Potential themes include path usage, creation of a mountain-bike track and the preservation of forest biodiversity. As of spring 2002, the platform is in the process of being established (see http://www.foretdesoignes.net in French or http://www.zonienwoud.net in Dutch).

 

11. Has your country promoted activities with the aim of providing options to minimize or mitigate negative and to promote positive human influences on forest biological diversity? (Work Programme, paragraph 31)
a) minimal activity X (Bxl)
b) yes - limited extent (please give details below)
c) yes - significant extent (please give details below) X (Fl, Wa)
d) not relevant

Comments on question 11 (activities to minimize negative and promote positive effects)

Activities are carried out at several levels and target many sectors. They include:

• Guidelines for sustainable forest management (see question 5).
• Promotion of indigenous and noble species (see question 5).
• Promotion of site-adapted species (see question 5).
• Promotion of natural regeneration (see question 5).
• Promotion of uneven-aged and irregularly formed forest stands (see question 5).
• Afforestation, reforestation. In Flanders, higher premium is attributed for the use of noble and indigenous tree and shrub species in afforestation and reforestation projects (see question 5).
• Sustainable ways of harvesting (horse-drawn removal of timber) (see question 5)
• Research (see question 9).
• Training programmes (see question 10).
• Awareness campaigns (see question 10).

Certification: In 1994, WWF-Belgium initiated a process to promote and develop Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification in Belgium. Since then, the work on certification has evolved into two main orientations:

• The Flemish Administration supports the Forest Stewardship Council initiative, and actively encourages the use of certified wood in public works, through its voluntary environmental agreement between the Region and the local communities (Milieu Convenant). Three domanial forests (owned by the Flemish Region) covering about 4300 ha, received a FSC certification label in 1997 (Soignies, Meerdal and Heverlee).
• The Walloon Administration favours the application of the Pan European Forest Certification label (PEFC), as is WoodNet, the association of national federations of the forest and timber industry. The 'Belgian Forest Certification Scheme' was officially endorsed on 28th February 2002 as meeting the strict requirements of the PEFC Council, and is based on the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe. This scheme underwent a 10-month assessment process comprising rigorous public consultation procedures and a thorough assessment by independent consultants (more details on http://www.pefc.org) .

See also Belgium's Voluntary Report to UNFF-2:
· § 2.1.1.2.3. - The development of the standards for forest management: a more complex model of participation with governments in a supportive role (Historical process and Flemish experience with certification).
· § 3.1.5. - Certification of sustainable forest management (Walloon experience).

 

12. Has your country promoted activities to minimize the impact of harmful alien species on forest biological diversity? (Work Programme, paragraph 32)
a) minimal activity X
b) yes - limited extent (please give details below)
c) yes - significant extent (please give details below)
d) not relevant

Comments on question 12 (minimize impact of alien species)

The issue of alien species is currently mostly dealt with on a research basis. Research is carried out for several groups, including bryophytes, vascular plants, fungi, invertebrates, birds and mammals.

European Community:
The European Community has adopted emergency measures requiring the treatment and marking of all new and used coniferous (e.g. pine, spruce, fir) non-manufactured wood packing material originating in the United States, Canada, China, or Japan and departing after October 1, 2001, to prevent the introduction of the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus). Hardwoods are exempt from the emergency measure. The pinewood nematode is a microscopic eelworm that causes extensive mortality in pines in Japan and China.

Flanders:
The issue of invasive alien species is dealt with in the management vision for Flemish forests, based on scientific field research. Research projects include the monitoring of species diversity (native and non-native) in relation to the management of nature and forest reserves.

Operational campaigns to fight Prunus serotina (Wild Black Cherry), an invasive from North America, are successful in many places. This species hinders the natural growth of several indigenous tree and shrubs species in former plantations of Pinus sp. In a management that focuses on natural processes to make forests more diverse, this invasive species is a real obstacle.

Wallonia:
Research on alien species is part of more general research programmes on forests. Specific programmes target the problem of native and exotic wood-boring insects pests (e.g. bark beetles). Awareness activities have been carried out to inform forest officers in state-owned forests on the risks of alien species on native biodiversity.

Brussels:
The Brussels Region, being a heavily urbanized area, is much concerned with the issue of alien species. As regards forest biodiversity, a research project is being carried out on the potential impact of the introduced Asian chipmunk (Eutamias sibiricus) on the breeding bird fauna in the Sonian Forest. Eutamias sibiricus was first imported as a pet in the 1960s. Nowadays, there are a few free-living populations in Belgium, including one of several thousands individuals in the Sonian Forest.

 

13. Has your country identified means and mechanisms to improve the identification and prioritisation of research activities related to influences of human activities, in particular forest management practices, on forest biological diversity? (Work Programme, paragraph 33)
a) minimal activity X (Bxl)
b) yes - limited extent (please give details below) X
c) yes - significant extent (please give details below)
d) not relevant

Comments on question 13 (means and mechanisms to improve prioritization of research)

Federal level:
Several initiatives help the prioritization of research:

• The first 'Federal Plan on Sustainable Development' was published in 2000 and provides a framework for federal schemes, including biodiversity. http://www.billy-globe.org/ddownloads/new_accueil_download.htm
• The Federal Office for Scientific Technical and Cultural Affairs (OSTC) elaborates its research programmes directly in response to international and European agreements and policy. This is reflected among others in its programme 'Scientific Support Plan to a Sustainable Development Policy' (see question 9).
• The Belgian Biodiversity Platform has forest biodiversity as one of its priority themes of action (see question 8).
• The Belgian Forum on Forest Biodiversity was set up to exchange information in the field of forest biodiversity (see questions 8).

Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels: see question 9.

 

14. Does your country hold research results and syntheses of reports of relevant scientific and traditional knowledge on key forest biological diversity issues and, if so, have these been disseminated as widely as possible? (Work Programme, paragraph 34)
a) not relevant
b) some relevant material, but not widely disseminated
c) significant material that could be more widely disseminated (please give details below)
d) yes - already widely disseminated (please give details below) X

Comments on question 14 (research results and synthesis reports)

Research results and reports:
Belgium produces a wide range of publications and computerized decision support tools. Most research departments within universities have their own websites detailing project information. Researchers also regularly publish research results in international peer-reviewed journals, but also publish article in national popularization journals. Such journals are usually published by NGOs or by research institutes active in the field of nature conservation and forest management (e.g. Forêt Wallonne, Bosreservaten Nieuws, Parc & Réserves, Natuur.blad, etc.). The NGO 'Forêt Wallonne' is preparing a special issue on forest biodiversity, specifically aimed for field managers in the Walloon Region. The special issue will be published at the end of 2002.

Conferences and workshops are held on a regular basis.

Databases and Internet:
At the national level, two projects currently centralize forest biodiversity information and make it accessible to the public:

• The inventory of Belgian professionals researchers participating in studying, assessing, and monitoring biological diversity is available on the Internet at http://www.br.fgov.be/BIODIV and will be available in 2002 in hardcopy. Information on forest biodiversity research and experts can be extracted through the use of appropriate keywords.
• The Belgian Forum on Forest Biodiversity has set up its website in 2001 at http://www.biodiversity.be/bbpf/forum/forest/forestintro.html.

Events:
Several conferences, workshops and field visits addressing biodiversity were held in the past years. See also http://www.br.fgov.be/BIODIV/events.html.

In 2001, the main events were:

• 29.09.2001. In Flanders, a workshop has been held on the presentation of the 'Management vision for public forests'.
• First week of October 2001. This management vision was also the central theme of the large-scale information and sensitisation campaign 'the week of the forest' in Flanders.
• 24-26.10.2001. International workshop on 'Carbon sinks and biodiversity', organized by the Ministry of the Walloon Region.
• 19-20.10.2001. National symposium on 'Botanical expertise and biodiversity in Belgium', organized by the National Botanic Garden of Belgium.
• 2-4.12.2001. Meeting of the European Platform for Biodiversity Research and Strategy 'Scientific tools for in situ biodiversity conservation: monitoring, modelling and experiments', organized by the Belgian Biodiversity Platform;
• 14.12.2001. National symposium on 'Belgian Fauna: Status and trends, with particular attention to alien species', organized by the National Focal Point to the CBD.

In 2002, events include:

• 11-12.03.2002. International workshop on saproxylic insects organized by the Belgian Forum on Forest Biodiversity;
• 14.05.2002. Symposium on 'Biodiversity and Landscape', organized by the Minister of Agriculture and Rurality of the Walloon Region;
• 22.05.2002. Symposium to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity. 'Ten years after Rio. What future for biodiversity in Belgium?', organized by the Federal Minister for the Environment, the Federal Commissioner for Scientific Research and the Belgian CBD National Focal Point;
• 6-13.10.2002. Week of the Forest. Wood as a renewable and sustainable resource. In Flanders.

Planned in 2003:

• 13-15.03. International IUFRO conference. 'History and Forest Biodiversity - Challenges for Conservation' organised by the Catholic University of Leuven (see question 6).

 

15. Has your country prepared case-studies on assessing impacts of fires and alien species on forest biological diversity and their influences on the management of forest ecosystems and savannahs? (Work Programme, paragraph 35)
a) no - please indicate below whether this is due to a lack of available case-studies or for other reasons X not relevant (fires, savannahs)
b) yes - please give below any views you may have on the usefulness of the preparation of case-studies for developing a better biological understanding of the problem and/or better management responses. X (alien species, under elaboration)

Comments on question 15 (impact of fires and alien species)

As far as fires and savannahs are concerned, this question is not relevant for Belgium. As far as alien species are concerned, see question 12.

 

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