Report on indicators for biological
diversity in Belgium

 

4. List of indicators for biological diversity in Belgium

The report is based on an indicative list of biological diversity indicators provided as a reference point by the CBD Secretariat. The Notification from the Executive Secretary and the reference list of indicators can be found on the CBD Clearing-House Mechanism at the following URL: http://www.biodiv.org/doc/notifications/

The proposed tables were filled in with indicators currently used in Belgium. Indicators marked in red were added to the proposed list, and are specific to the Belgian context.

A clear distinction between actual "official" indicators for biological diversity and available data on status/trends of biodiversity is not always easy. Much more data are collected than presented in regional indicator reports, such as VRIND for Flanders or EEW for Wallonia. In this regard, we have opted to include in this report all relevant published information used by Belgium in its biological diversity monitoring process.

When an asterisk (*) is found next to an indicator number, it refers to an explanatory note at the end of the table.

 

Table 4.1. Forest Biological Diversity

Comments linked to Table 4.1.:
3) There are no truly natural forests in Belgium. Most forests are planted, a few are semi-natural.
4) Wallonia and Flanders: this indicator is used to establish ownership (private, state, local communities). In Wallonia, there is a big difference in forest composition between privately- and publicly-owned land. Therefore, this indicator indirectly shows how private owners evolve in the management of their land (i.e. whether they plant more hardwoods or conifers, what species they choose, etc.).
6 and 8) Wallonia: the undergoing forest inventory has been compared to previous inventories (1970's and 1980's), in order to assess changes in forest composition (trends in areas covered by hardwoods or conifers, trends in areas of given tree species such as Norway spruce, beech, etc.). Flanders: changes in forest composition and change of forest area by forest type are obtained by comparing the results of the first forest inventory (1997-1999) with the forest map of Flanders (1990).
10) Flanders: the deforestation rate is obtained by comparing the forest map of 1990 with the forest map of 2000. For example, the total forest area amounted to 152,488 ha in 1990 and 146,381 ha in 2000.
13) Wallonia: the fragmentation of forests is assessed using the number and average size of forests ownership.
16-17) Flanders: the two indicators are important indicators for Flanders, as forests have not only have an ecological and an economical function, but also a very important social function (recreation and tourism). Only the forest reserves and the open areas in forests have no production function.
19) Flanders: i.e. the distribution (%) of forest reserves by forest type, by age class and successional age.
24) Wallonia, Flanders: data concerning reforested areas can be deduced from data concerning money granted for reforestation. However, not all forest owners ask for a subsidy and/or not every reforestation project qualifies for such subsidies. Data concerning the afforested areas can similarly be inferred from subsidies for afforestation of agricultural land (see agri-environmental measures, indicator 76).
27) Wallonia: stands managed for the utilisation of genetic resources (genetic protection zones which are stands whose trees are selected for seed collection). Flanders: data available at the Institute for Forestry and Game management, Gaverstraat 4, 9500 Geraardsbergen.
28) All regions: logging activities (major economic function of forests in Belgium).s
29) Wallonia: occasional censuses are carried out following natural disasters such as storms (volume of windfalls, 1990) or insect attacks (volume of Norway spruce attacked by spruce bark beetles, 1992 or beech attacked by beech bark beetles, 2000). However, they are not used regularly as forest indicators.
31 and 40) Flanders: the extent of mixed stands and data concerning volume, basal area, cover of various tree species can be deduced from the first forest inventory of Flanders.
35) Wallonia: this indicator gives the % of stands and volume of wood suffering from big game damage (browsing, bark-peeling, etc. by deer, roe deer, wild boar) per stand type. It is useful in the context of finding the right balance between big game and forest foraging capacity.
36) Wallonia and Flanders: forest health monitoring is part of a European initiative. Indicators gives the % of trees affected by defoliation and discoloration, as well as the average level of defoliation per species.
37) Wallonia: this indicator gives nitric oxide and sulphur dioxide fallouts (kg/ha/year) at given sites in Wallonia, and reflects the air pollution level in areas relatively distant from polluting sources
38) Wallonia: this indicator gives the number of public awareness activities each year, especially oriented towards sustainable forest management and use.
39) Wallonia: this indicator gives the number of infringements to the forest legislation, reflecting the public pressure on forests.
41) Flanders: the changes in the volume of wood of different species will be available at the end of the second forest inventory.
43) Wallonia and Flanders: threatened species mostly, and for some groups only. There has been little work on keystone and flagship species in Belgium so far, especially in forested ecosystems. Wallonia: the black stork is used as a flagship species for migratory birds. In Belgium, the preferred habitat of the black stork is forested areas; the bird is used essentially to raise awareness on the problem of vanishing habitats for migratory birds (see indicator 145).
45) In all Regions, species are used as biodiversity indicators and red list are elaborated for major groups, including for species in forest ecosystems (vascular plants, mammals, birds, invertebrates, etc.). See indicators 145 and 155-170.
46) Flanders: red lists. See 45) above.
51) Flanders: A research project is under way to estimate the quality of "ancient forest species" as biological diversity indicators. Historical-ecological research has pointed out differences in species composition between ancient (old-growth) and young forests. The so-called ancient forest species are usually confined to ancient forests. These species are excellent indicators of the ecological value of forest communities and can be used to understand the colonisation process of newly created forests.
52) Flanders: Indices of biological diversity are under development. These indices incorporate species richness and rarity (Species Quality Index, SQI), as well as species abundances and vulnerability (Site Conservation Quality Index, SCQI). Data must be collected via continuous and similar sampling techniques. They are elaborated using i.a. invertebrate species.
53) Wallonia: this indicator refers to the number of animals killed by hunting as compared to the number of animals alive in spring, before the new births.

 

Table 4.2. Agricultural biological diversity

Comments linked to Table 4.2.:
54-55) These indicators are compiled annually by the National Institute of Statistics (NIS), both at federal and regional level. See agriculture indicators of the NIS at
http://www.statbel.fgov.be/figures/agriculture_fr.htm
56) The NIS provides some data at national level on extensively farmed land: total area of extensive vegetable cultivation and high-stem orchards.
57) The NIS compiles annually the total area of land taken away from agricultural production, both at national and regional level.
58) The NIS also provides data on organic farming, through the number of organic farms and the total area for organic pastures and cultivated land.
59-60) Data is compiled at federal level by NIS, but additional data is available at regional level. The main indicators used are the product quantity/ha/year (amount of fertilizers used or amount of active matter used for pesticides). Flanders: A monitoring programme specifically evaluates agricultural pressures (MAP - Manure Action Plan). In this regard, the region assesses the pressure from manure spreading on the soil and ground- and surface-water quality (amount of manure produced and spread on fields, in terms of phosphate and nitrogen production).
61) The NIS estimates annually the total area of agricultural land afforested (including the total area of Christmas tree plantations), both at federal and regional level. Wallonia also uses as an indicator the total area concerned by financial support for afforestation (area/tree species planted).
62-63) Flanders: exhaustive species inventories and red lists have been established for a wide range of habitats, including grasslands. Information is also available for agricultural lands. Species include vascular plants, butterflies, spiders (see indicators 145 and 155-170).Trends analysis has been carried out for some bird species in agricultural areas. Wallonia: data are available for birds in agricultural areas.
75) Flanders: a research project is carried out at regional level on 3 vulnerable vascular plant species (Primula vulgaris, P. veris en P. elatior) typical of agricultural areas.
76) Wallonia, Flanders: the financial assistance (amount of money) given for the implementation of the EU's agri-environmental measures is used as an indicator by both Wallonia and Flanders. These measures include the plantation of hedges, late mowing practices, rare cattle breeds and extensive grazing, establishment of wetlands and ponds, etc.

 

Table 4.3. Inland Waters Biological diversity

Comments linked to Table 4.3.:
77) Flanders: temperature, sulfates, chlorides, pH, nitrates and nitrites, EC 20, dissolved oxygen, organic matter, ammonium, phosphate, total phosphor. Wallonia: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorides, sulfates, total cyanides, ammonium, Kjeldahl Nitrogen, total phosphor, heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn), anionic detergents, HAP, pesticide residuals (e.g. Lindane). Brussels: surface water quality is evaluated among others for the Senne, the Woluwe and the canal Brussels-Charleroi. Analysis is made at the phyico-chemical level, biological level and through the analysis of sediments (heavy metals, PCB, non-degradable organic matter).
78) Biochemical Oxygen Demand during 5 days (Flanders: BZV5, Wallonia DBO5).
79) Wallonia: number of catchments, nitrate concentration (mg/l), pesticide concentration (including atrazine, mg/l), heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Zn).
80) Wallonia : data are collected by the Ministry of Transport and Equipment (MET) for large rivers and by DGRNE for smaller rivers and streams.
82) Flanders: see note on indicators 120-121 for the Scheldt estuary.
83) Flanders, Wallonia: data are available for water production and water consumption. Flanders: data are collected on the number of sewage installation and wastewater treatment plants.
86) Wallonia: piezometric level measurements of the groundwater tables are carried out at about 200 locations. Potential follow-up could amount to 2000 locations.
89) and 95) Both Flanders and Wallonia have carried out inventories of freshwater fish species in their rivers. Flanders has established red lists for brackish- and freshwater fish, and has several research projects under way to study the distribution, ecology, habitat use and migration of several species. It is also carrying on research for the establishment of an Index of Biotic Integrity characterising fish populations and the quality of Flandrian water bodies.
90) The Belgian Biotic Index (BBI) is used in both Flemish and Walloon regions. It is derived from the French "Indice Biotique". In Wallonia, both the Belgian and French standards are used. List of species can be obtained on demand. In Brussels, a research project is under way to assess the feasibility to use macro-benthic invertebrates for water quality evaluation.
92) Wallonia: this indicator contributes to the evaluation of the implementation of the groundwater protection policy. There are 4 levels of protection depending on the distance from the catchment area. These protection zones are a recent prevention tool to protect groundwater quality, and only 2 have been approved to this day.
100) As for the other ecosystems, monitoring and red lists are being elaborated for a number of groups and species (see indicators 145 and 155-170), including vascular plants, waterfowl, amphibians and dragonflies.
104) In Belgium, fishing is mostly done as a recreational activity. It is both carried out in artificial areas created for the purpose or in natural rivers. Fishing activities generate important revenues (fish farming, commerce, tourism) but can also some inflict more or less heavy pressures on the environment (artificial stocking of ponds and rivers, overfishing, etc.)

 

Table 4.4. Coastal and Marine Biological diversity

Comments linked to Table 4.4.:
* General note: The Belgian coast borders the North Sea and extends in a straight line for 66.5 km. It has been in continuous urbanization for decades because of popular tourism. In matters of environmental protection, the Federal Government is competent for dealing with pollution at sea, marine nature conservation, fisheries, etc. Other aspects concerning the North Sea are dealt with through co-operation agreements, established between the Federal State and the Flemish Region. Although the Brussels-Capital and Walloon Regions do not have access to the sea, they are involved in the decision-making process together with the Federal Government and the Flemish Region, through their participation in the "Steering Committee for the North Sea" (e.g. for waste water). The responsibility for planning and implementing the national policy concerning the North Sea is thus shared by the Federal Government and the Regions.
112) Flanders: the Flemish Environmental Society carries out yearly inventories of the quality of Flemish recreational waters, both at the coast and inland (about 40 inventory locations at the coast). Indicators used are the total content of E. coli bacteria / 100 ml, the fecal E. coli bacteria / 100 ml, the fecal Streptococci bacteria / 100 ml and Salmonella / liter.
117) For commercial fish, the Sea Fisheries Department (SFD) carries out weekly market samplings in the two most important Belgian fishing harbours, Zeebrugge and Oostende. In the southern North Sea, specific surveys are conducted with the Research Vessel "Belgica" to obtain fishery independent estimates of the distribution and abundance of adult flatfish, and to collect information on their migrations. Annually, young fish surveys are carried out in the flatfish nursery areas along the Belgian coast. These data are used to study the biotic and abiotic factors that affect the dynamics of juvenile sole, plaice and dab, and they are incorporated in the annual stock assessments, which eventually lead to the formulation of catch quota.
118-119) Federal level: studies of marine mammal populations such as seals and dolphins along the coast and in the Scheldt Estuary. Flanders: exhaustive species inventories and red lists have been established for a wide range of habitats, including sand dune ecosystems (see indicators 145 and 155-170). More specific projects include the study of the population dynamics and spatial distribution of vascular plants and of invertebrate species in coastal dune ecosystems (e.g. carabid beetles, Diptera, etc.). Monitoring of sea- and shorebirds is carried out all year round and is used as an indicator of the sea quality. Methods include boat, plan and land-based inventories, as well as breeding birds surveys. Another intensively studied coastal ecosystem is the Scheldt Estuary, for which vegetation and birds are monitored along the gradient salty-, brackish-, freshwater. The macro-benthos of the estuary is also monitored regularly and serves as indicator of stress and pollution.
120) Flanders: research is under way (under Federal funding) to evaluate which species of benthic communities (i.e. shallow sand banks systems) can be best used as indicators for marine ecosystem health.
121) Flanders: in order to assess the level of oil pollution at sea, regular counts of beach seabirds are being carried out each year since the 1960's. It is Belgium's contribution to the "International Beached Birds Surveys" . The counts of beached seabirds are not really used as indicators for biological diversity, but they are essential for providing data on trends of oil pollution.
122) Flanders: see indicator no. 52.

 

Table 4.5. General indicators of Biological diversity - Part a

Comments linked to table 4.5. - Part a:
124) Wallonia: the Karst Atlas (Atlas du Karst) has been established for the Region.
130) Major habitat types are inventoried in all regions.
Brussels: private green spaces (gardens, etc.), open green spaces (forests, parks), railway embankments, scrubland, agricultural areas, other green spaces (cemeteries, road embankments, etc.), blue spaces (ponds, rivers, wetlands).
Flanders (total area, % area of Flanders): coastal dunes, heathlands and bogs, wetlands, grasslands, forests, scrubland, inland waters (including estuaries).
Wallonia: the CORINE typology is used: 2- non-marine waters, 3- scrub- and grassland, 4- forests, 5- bogs and marshes, 6-inland rocks, screes and sands, 8- agricultural land and artificial landscapes, 9- wooded grasslands and scrubs.
See http://mrw.wallonie.be/dgrne/sibw/habitats/home.html
135-136, 138, 144) Major types of protected areas are:
Brussels: nature reserves, forest reserves, Natura 2000 areas, green spaces.
Flanders: nature reserves, forest reserves, military areas managed for conservation purposes, protected coastal dune areas (Duinendecreet), areas of international status such as Natura 2000 (including special protection areas and special areas of conservation) and Ramsar areas.
Wallonia: nature reserves, forest reserves, wetlands of biological interest, underground cavities of scientific interest, Natura 2000 areas (including special protection areas and special areas of conservation), natural parks (see indicator 144 for natural parks). See http://mrw.wallonie.be/dgrne/sibw/sites/home.html
141) Brussels: the Region is working on establishing green and blue networks, which are planning concepts emphasizing the cohesion and continuity of green spaces (parks, gardens, railway embankments, woods, etc.) and waterways (rivers, ponds) within the urban structure. See http://www.ibgebim.be/ESPACES-VERTS/MAILLAGE/index.htm.
Flanders: the Region is developing a "functional ecological network for Flanders" (VEN + IVON) linking sites of ecological value (including nature reserves and Natura 2000 areas).
144) Brussels: see 141. Wallonia: several measures are being taken to preserve nature outside protected areas. They include natural parks, local management plans (plans communaux de développement de la nature), thematic operations (late mowing of roads banks, adequate fitting of church towers to attract owls), financial support for hedge plantations, agri-environmental measures. Flanders: regional management plans (gewestplannen).

Table 4.5. - Part b

Comments linked to table 4.5. - Part b:
145) and 155 to 170) Major groups have inventoried in all regions and are used as biological diversity indicators. Red lists have been established for those species, and population trends are monitored for most groups. Some species/groups are used as bio-indicators but few species/groups are used as keystone or flagship species/groups.
Brussels: vascular plants, fungi, amphibians and reptiles, birds (incl. waterfowl), mammals (incl. bats). Some data on mosses and lichens.
Flanders: list of species and red lists are available for vascular plants, mosses and liverworts (list of species but no red list yet), lichens (idem), amphibians and reptiles, fishes (fresh- and brackishwater fishes), some invertebrate groups (long-legged flies, butterflies, carabid beetles, dragonflies, spiders) birds (breeding bird surveys, overwintering birds, migrating birds), mammals. See http://www.instnat.be/Soorten/index.htm
Wallonia: regularly monitored groups are orchids, butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles and amphibians, birds and bats. Lists of species are available for orchids, some invertebrate groups (crayfishes, butterflies, dragonflies, ladybirds), reptiles and amphibians, freshwater fishes, birds and mammals. Red lists are available for mammals, birds, butterflies and dragonflies. See http://mrw.wallonie.be/dgrne/sibw/especes/home.html
When projects on flagship or keystone species exist, they usually are not utilised as biodiversity indicators. However, a few examples of projects are given hereafter for information purposes. Projects on flagship species are often oriented towards birds. Two projects with a high public awareness impact use storks as flagship species for migratory bird species (one project on white storks in Flanders and one on black storks in Wallonia) In Wallonia, another project by a NGO is oriented towards the protection of the bittern (Botaurus stellaris), which is used as a flagship species for reedbeds habitats. As for keystone species, most projects are still only at the research level. For example, one project uses the common red starfish (Asterias rubens) as a keystone species for coastal biotopes of the North Sea (open and closed estuarine branches, intertidal and offshore zones).
149-150-157) Brussels: some data on introduced / naturalised species are available for vascular plants (incl. trees), amphibians and reptiles, birds. Follow-up of some species of those group is carried out, for example in waterfowl populations. Wallonia: some data is available for some groups such as birds, vascular plants, mammals and invertebrates (e.g. crayfishes). Studies are carried on an occasional basis.
180) Wallonia: urbanization (total cover and distribution of rural and non rural areas) is used to evaluate the pressure of urban development on natural areas. It also gives an indication of the fragmentation of these natural areas.
181) Wallonia: pressure from transport is evaluated through the average distance covered per person and per year for major transport categories (foot, bike, motorbike, car, train, bus, cab, underground). This indicator is complemented by an indicator on pressure by aerial transport.

 

 

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