Post on 04-May-2022
Local Action for Biodiversityin the Brussels Capital Region
Urban Biodiversity: Local Solutions to Global Challenges Greenweek session 2.8, 3th June 2010
MACHTELD GRYSEELS – MARIE-CELINE GODIN Brussels Environment – Division Nature, Water and Forest
Brussels Capital Region (Belgium)in Europe Flanders Region
Walloon Region• 160 km² (0,5 % of Belgium)
• 19 municipalities
• 1.000.000 inhabitants
• 350.000 commuters
• dense traffic infrastructure
Brussels Environmental Administration :
Brussels Institute for Management of the Environment (BE)
Brussels Capital Region (160 km²)% Degree of green,
open spaces
Sites of HBVGreen spaces
Sites of High Biological Value: merely at the periphery (green belt)+ 50 % not build + 15 %: sites of HBV (excl. Private green)
despites high urbanization,very «green» region, green belt
Cemeteries2%
Agricultural areas7%
Derelict land7%
Private gardens
32%
Public parks and gardens
12%
Forests20%
Railway verges3%
Private large domains10%
Green spaces linked with roads
3%
Open-air recreation areas4%
Management : - Regional spaces
• Nature Reserves: 150 ha• Forests: 1750 ha• Parks: 350 ha
- Other spaces : local municipalities + other regional services + private
Brussels Capital Region: unexpected flora & fauna- richness
Peregrine Falcon on cathedral
Bee orchid on derelict land
Stag beetle
diversity in biotopes diversity of species
A wide range of high - to low quality biotopes Red foxes
Vespertilionid bat
Old World Swallowtail
GROUPS TOTAL EXOTIC ENDANGEREDMammalia 44 species
• 17 species chiroptera(total 21 sp. in Belgium)
• 3 exotic 7 species
Avifauna ± 100 species breading birds • 11 exotic 8 species
Herpetofauna 10 species(3 reptiels, 7 amphibians)
• 1 exotic 2 species
Higher plants ±793 species(50% Belg. Flore) • 27% exotic50sp./km² (center)
300 sp./km² (periphery)
66 species
Bryophyta ± 223 species 49 species
Macrofungi ± 913 species •1 exotic ± 748 species
Lichens 36 species epiphyticmacrolichens on trees
? ?
Dragonflies 23 species 0 9 species
Orthoptera 26 species • 1 exotic
Butterflies 29 species • 1 exotic 14 species
•
2004: BCR designation of 3 SAC (tot. 2.300 ha) – 14% BCR surface
48 sites
37 Core areas 11 Connecting areas
Common thread :
• habitats (limited surface) + buffer area• specific species group: bats• Life-project• connectivity of sites in the urban area• ecotones
3 coherent network areas
Global vision for the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)-Natura 2000 sites in the Brussels Capital Region
Particular approach : (semi) natural sites + urban parks
Connectivity for bats
Natura 2000 sites in the Brussels Capital Region
Existing regional biodiversity management strategy based on different concepts:
Green and Blue Network
European Natura 2000-network on a
local basis
INTEGRATION
GREEN NETWORK - Concept
Balanced partitioning: improve the spatial, functional and qualitative partitioning of the green spaces
• Connectivity: protection and development of the green continuities between the green spaces
• Differentiated management: integration of biodiversity in the management of the green spaces (ecological management)
Social aspect Ecological aspect
Green Walk
Woluwepark Scheutbos
Integration of biodiversity in urban parks
Ecological network
Practical guide for sustainable restoration and construction of small buildings
Integrated concerns:energy, air, health, noise, waste, materials, biodiversity, etc.
e.g. sheets : • What place does the project
reserve for biodiversity?• Green roofs• Green facades
Railway vergesBiodiversity in construction
Nature management
of private gardens
Forest house with bat hibernaculum
Bat ice cellar “Rood Klooster”
Specific actions for species
Green roof with beehives
Development of an artificial sand martin breeding cliff
Nestboxes for bats
Stag beetleKeeping dead wood
for Stag beetle
Blue Network Concept: integrated management
To assure the continuity of the hydrographic network on the surface and to send back into it the clear « parasite » water of the draining network
To assure the quality of the water in the hydrographic network and allow the (clean) surface runoff water to flow in it / Improve the ecological quality of the rivers, lakes and wetlands
Promote the social and cultural role of the surface waters in the area
HOLLEBEEK – LEYBEEK
S/ZENNE – K/CANA(A)L
LINKEBEEK – VERREWINKEL-
BEEK
PONTBEEK
Social function
Hydraulical and hydrological
function
Ecological function (water
environments)BLUE
NETWORK
Legal frame• Water Frame Directive (2000/60/UE) + Directive floodings (2007/60/EC)
• To achieve a ‘good’ quality of water by 2015• Ecological quality of the rivers, canals, lakes• To define: reference state very good - good - average - below average - bad• Compulsory monitoring (diversity and abundance of the biological elements):
• Benthic algae and macrophytes• Phytoplankton• Macro-invertebrates• Fish
• Many pressures on the aquatic environment• Water proofing, covering• Floodings (overflow of the sewers)• Transport (for the canal)• Social (pleasure): park ponds
Management plan + Measures program (Rain plan)
Urban constraints
Waterproofing of the grounds
Causes of the floodings
1955
.
.
1985
2006
.
% of waterproof surfaces in boxes of 100m x 100m
1770 2000
Effects of climate
change?
Evolution of hydrographical network in Brussels
Woluwe
Woluwe valley: re-opening of the river, marsh restoration, creation of green walk
Struybeek Marsh (2007)
After works (2006)
Urban environment
Green Walk
Regional Parc Keyenbempt: restoration of the river and marsh, biodiversity & social aspects
Evacuation of historicallypolluted sludge (2001)
Geleytsbeek after restoration (2002)
Social aspects: allotment gardens (2009)Biodiversity: restoration of the
wetland (2009)
Biodiversity: bat hibernaculum (2009)
Parc Roi Baudouin: river & parc landscape restoration
River Restoration
Before
After
Molenbeek 2009
Creation of a buffer zone for water retention
SWOT-analysis
Strengths
• High proportion of green space
• 14 % Natura 2000
• A strategic plan for green and blue networks
Weaknesses
• No overall strategy document or policy ‘vision’ for nature and biodiversity
• Poor and limited coordinated involvement NGOs
• Lack of legal guidelines, tools and incentives to integrate biodiv. in urban policy
• Fragmentation
Opportunities
• High proportion of nature
• Good potential for partnerships
• EU legislation driver
Threats
• High development pressures
• Very high recreational pressure
• Lots of stakeholders
Study 2006
BIODIVERCITYBRUSSELS, GREEN CITY BRUSSELS, NATURE CITY
Need for development overall integrated « Urban Biodiversity Strategy Plan »
Via engagement:Countdown 2010LAB
March 2009
• Biodiversity report: collecting data on:– not only data on habitats, flora & fauna, protected sites– also: local actions NGO
SUPPORT OF SOCIETY FOR DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATIONOF BIODIVERSITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE URBAN AREA
• Biodiversity strategy « Nature Plan »
Learning from LAB:
Start participatory proces 11th of May 2010
Nature Plan
EU Water frame
Water Ordonnance
Water Management Plan
EU Directive Habitat + Ancient nature legislation
Nature Ordonnance (new and innovative project 2010)
Nature Biodiversity Plan
• Continuing to implement the BN Enhancing the valleys & the wetlands
• Rain Plan, for flood control
• Protection & managements of habitats and species
• To develop the ecological network
• Integration biodiversity: participation process / development partnership
Water Plan