Unique rescue operation provides 'emergency brake' for endangered plant species

The initiative is part of the European nature restoration project Life HARWIN (2023–2028). Biodiversity here has been under pressure for decades due to fragmentation and dereliction, causing typical plant species to nearly disappear. Thanks to prior intensive nature restoration, several nature reserves have been restored. However, scientific research showed that the plants could no longer return on their own. They are now being given a helping hand through the reintroduction of millions of seeds and thousands of plants. This is the crowning achievement of years of preparation to breathe new life into the biodiversity of the Winge Valley.

From precious seed to blooming valley

To restore species richness, the project employs a dual approach. Species for which many seeds are still available are sown directly. For the most vulnerable species – the true ‘emergency cases’ – thousands of plants are cultivated in the greenhouses of Meise Botanic Garden, the University of Antwerp, De Wijnpers, and by volunteers. These are now being carefully planted by hand. In the coming weeks, the effort will focus on this precision work, covering more than 20 endangered plant species that are intended to form new, robust populations in the restored heathlands, grasslands, and marshes of the Winge Valley.

"Nature restoration is not just about sowing some seeds or putting plants in the ground, as is sometimes thought," says Dennis De Ryck, Project Coordinator at Natuurpunt. "It requires years of research and preparation. Because we observed that the last remaining plants, often withering away in roadside verges, were disappearing at an alarming rate, we are providing nature with a much-needed 'emergency brake'. Through thorough scientific underpinning, we are not only restoring the plant communities but also recreating a habitat for animals that depend on these plants. It is an investment in a complete and resilient ecosystem."

"Every plant we are reintroducing here today would have been irrevocably lost without intervention. Even species like the harebell, which were considered 'common' 20 years ago, are threatened with disappearance, and with them, their unique genetic diversity. Unfortunately, this has become necessary for the restoration of our Flemish nature," adds Annelies Jacobs, a scientist at Natuurpunt and the University of Antwerp.

living laboratory in times of climate change and nitrogen deposition

The large-scale reintroduction is also important in times of climate change and nitrogen deposition. “By restoring populations of species that have disappeared due to, for example, inappropriate verge management or pesticides, we can scientifically monitor the unique effects of climate and nitrogen over the long term. Currently, it is often impossible to distinguish between these effects," says Tobias Ceulemans, Professor of Biodiversity and Environment at the University of Antwerp.

Nectar into the autumn

The restored plant diversity has another crucial advantage. A large portion of the endangered species bloom late in the season (September/October), meaning the project restores a 'broad flowering arc'. This means that pollen and nectar are available from early spring until autumn. This is vital for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are finding it increasingly difficult to find food late in the season.

The effort of many

For this project to succeed, extensive collaboration between nature organizations, science, schools, and volunteers was essential. In recent months, dozens of volunteers from Natuurpunt and the provincial school De Wijnpers have assisted in cultivating the less complex species.