LIFE Green Valleys (English)
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LIFE - In English
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Just a stone's throw from Brussels, you can find some hidden gems of nature. What makes these areas so special is the calcium-rich water that bubbles up from the depths here. This mineral-rich water, rich in lime and alkali, strongly influences plant growth and creates a unique ecosystem. In these flowery grasslands, where colorful butterflies flutter merrily, and in the ancient forests with lush spring flora, you are surrounded by an atmosphere of pure, unspoiled nature. Special animals with eloquent names, like the great crested newt and the Desmoulin's whorl snail feel right at home in this humid, productive environment.
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The unique fauna and flora found here has earned the area a recognition within the Natura2000 framework of most important natural areas in Europe. Set up to ensure Europe's special natural values, this network covers nearly 18% of European territory. To further strengthen this valuable nature, the LIFE Green Valleys project started in 2018 and ends in 2025. This project is funded by the European Commission's LIFE program.
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The main players in the project are the local volunteer staff of Natuurpunt, with coordination provided by Natuurpunt Beheer vzw. The Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB), Natuurpunt Studie vzw and Natuurinvest are the Flemish partners.
We also work together with the Polish nature organization Klub Przyrodników (Klub). In western Poland, Klub manages several nature reserves with similar vegetation to the vegetation found around Brussels. This LIFE project offers a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge on the management of these rare pieces of nature, to gain and exchange experiences and to find solutions for the processing of the management residues.
Objectives
LIFE Green Valleys focuses on achieving three overarching goals: nature restoration, solving the biomass problem and cooperation and involvement of all stakeholders.
1) Nature restoration
The natural value, habitats, animal and plant species found in the project areas have become rare in Flanders and in Europe. Due to various changes in land use over the years, the populations found here are becoming smaller and more fragmented. The LIFE Green Valleys project aims to restore or optimize more than 200 ha, or roughly 400 football fields of these habitats. This will give the animals and plants living in these habitats more space and more opportunities to thrive.
The project focuses mainly on wetlands - the river valleys - and forests. The main target habitats are lowland hay meadows, molinia meadows and alkaline fens. Also alluvial forests, Nardus grasslands and oligo- to mesotrophic waters with Chara spp. enjoy support within the project. Several plant species of these habitats can only be found in this region in Flanders. The project areas of our Polish partner Klub harbours some of the largest known populations of these habitats.
By restoring and optimizing the different habitat types, endangered species such as the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus), the Desmoulin's Whorl Snail (Vertigo moulinsiana) and the bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) get the best possible chances to spread and reproduce.
Actions and results:
Preliminary actions:
- Ecohydrological study and investigation of calcium in the Green Valley and Pikhakendonk soils. The ecohydrological study was published in 2020. You can find the report under 'Publications'.
- Analysis of soil quality in case of major soil moving works, and study of archaeological finds in the soil, if applicable.
- Study of the presence of bats in trees that would be felled. You can find the bat monitoring report in the section 'Publications'. Unfortunately, we did not encounter the rare Lesser Horseshoe Bat again after spotting it in 2019.
- Integrated Nature Management Plans for each natural area of the Green Valley and Pikhakendonk.
Based on these preliminary actions, a plan of action for nature restoration was made and the appropriate permits were applied for.
Nature restoration:
Within the Green Valley and Pikhakendonk a restoration action was carried out on every plot owned or managed by one of the partners. Meanwhile, more than 260 ha of natural area have already been restored. This is done through a combination of intensive mowing management, controlling exotic invasive species, planting trees, and restoring the hydrology - for example, by filling drainage ditches or repairing/building dams.
In the Polish areas, the main focus was on restoring the hydrology in the areas by repairing 35 old dams. The beaver joined Klub in their efforts: due to some favorably placed beaver dams, only 22 dams had to be restored.
Sufficient equipment was purchased for both the volunteers and the LIFE field crew to carry out all these works safely.
Evaluation of restoration actions:
To assess the effects of the restoration actions within the LIFE Green Valleys project, an inventory was made of the vegetation on all plots at the start of the project and of all newly acquired plots. This inventory will be repeated at the end of the project and compared to the starting situation.
The target species, the Great Crested Newt and the Desmoulin's Whorl Snail will also be monitored at regular intervals. A first monitoring campaign was organised in 2020 for both species to get a picture of the starting situation. These campaigns were repeated in 2022 and 2023. You can fidn the reports in the section 'Publications'. At the end of the project, the monitoring campaigns for both species will be repeated.
2) Solving the biomass problem
The populations of fauna and flora we aim to restore and strengthen within the LIFE Green Valleys project thrive best in nutrient-poor environments. In Flanders, the addition of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphate, to natural areas is an increasing problem. When plants grow, they extract nutrients from the soil. These nutrients are then stored in the plant. Regular mowing and disposal of grass clippings gradually removes excess nutrients from natural areas. Mowing management also prevents afforestation. In this way, we keep some parts of the landscape open, which benefits biodiversity.
The management of (wet) areas produces a lot of management residues, or biomass: mainly wood, grass clippings and hay, but sometimes also silt or soil. In order not to let these materials go to waste, LIFE Green Valleys is investigating possibilities to process these valuable materials, together with stakeholders and partners. By looking for useful applications and/or a market, we ensure that the management of these natural areas remains sustainable.
Actions and results:
First, several composting sites have been established. At these sites, the grass clippings are temporarily stored or partially composted for further processing. If the clippings are of good quality and do not contain plant species that can be harmful to livestock, such as ragwort, the clippings can be used as animal feed.
Within the LIFE Green Valleys project, we are looking for useful uses for the grass clippings. One of the pilot projects explored the possibility of processing grass clippings into insulation material for houses. Another pilot project made paper with the fibers from the clippings. A flyer was printed on this 'grass paper' with information about the LIFE Green Valleys project. These applications use the maximum fraction of the grass clippings.
Nutrients from grass clippings can also be reused. The grass clippings can be made into compost. An innovative pilot project in cooperation with Agricon is exploring how compost can be used to make peat-free potting soil, thus avoiding the use of the valuable peat as a resource. During the refining of the grass clippings, the sap can be separated from the fibers. This sap is packed with soluble nutrients and can serve as a soil conditioner.
Klub installed a briquetting machine in their facilities that processes the dry grass clippings into briquettes. These are burned in an incinerator and the heat released is diverted to heat nearby buildings. In this way, the energetic value of the grass clippings is reused.
3) Cooperation and stakeholder engagement
LIFE Green Valleys aims to boost the work that the many volunteers and professional staff have been investing in nature in the region for years. The natural areas in the project offer wonderful opportunities for everyone who wants to enjoy nature or the countryside. Here we offer space for nature, people, animals and plants. We are working to expand recreational and tourism opportunities in the region. We do this together with all stakeholders. By offering everyone the opportunity to be involved in and experience nature, we bring people closer to nature and nature closer to people. This is also how we work to improve integration of ecological and economic interests.
Actions and Results:
Making nature accessible:
To increase the accessibility of nature areas, several walking trails are being constructed. In the Floordam forest, ANB realized a natural play zone in the forest, where children can experience nature in a playful way. In Poland, a wheelchair-accessible sensory trail and an adventure garden were built near the Klub visitor center. Soon, a wheelchair-accessible sensory trail and an adventure trail with experience elements in the forest will also be built in the Silsom forest. In addition, several boardwalk paths were constructed to increase accessibility to these often wet forests.
Sharing knowledge:
Throughout the project there was a constant emphasis on knowledge sharing. The interactive drawings and videos that were created can be found in the section 'Publications'. Klub published an informational document on processing biomass from their nature reserves. Two workshops and excursions were organized on the topic of biomass management in Belgian nature reserves. The LIFE Green Valleys team members participate in several conferences and networking events throughout the course of the project, where we learn as well as inform others about the project.
To increase support and make the activities of LIFE Green Valleys known to a wider audience, regular working days are organized. Here everyone can roll up their sleeves and help restore nature in their neighbourhood. Companies can also boost their team spirit by working together for nature. In order to ensure that the work is done in the most efficient and, above all, the safest way possible, various training courses have also been organized for the volunteers throughout the project.
Evaluation of the socio-economic impact of nature restoration:
An assessment of the socio-economic impact of large-scale nature restoration on the region is made. A first analysis of the initial state was made in 2019. This report can be found under 'Publications'. At the end of the project, this analysis will be done again to see what has changed since the start of the project.
Project area
The areas within the LIFE Green Valleys project were chosen based on their unique hydrology. Groundwater reaches the surface on several locations. The composition of the soil layers (especially loam) makes this water very rich in calcium and iron. The iron in this water binds with to the phosphate in the soil, making it unavailable for plants to absorb. This means that only specialized plants, which have low nutrient requirements, can grow in this habitat. In Flanders, some of these plant species are found almost exclusively in areas within the Green Valley. Areas in Poland contain the largest known populations of these species.
In Flanders, several actions are planned in Midden-Brabant, in areas north-east of Brussels. Following nature areas are included in the project:
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In Poland, actions are planned in the west of the country, close to the German border. The project areas include the Ilanka valley, the Pilszka valley, and the areas Młodno en Koźminek.
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The project area of the Polisch partner Klub in LIFE Green Valleys
Landscape
The Green Valleys and Pikhakendonk in Belgium
In the project area we find a colorful variety of flowery grasslands and magnificent forests, some of which have existed for centuries. However, parts of the landscape have changed dramatically in recent decades. Nevertheless, we still find natural gems with hundreds of orchids, butterflies, kingfishers and the two ambassadors of the project: the great crested newt and the Desmoulin's whorl snail. Here and there, the beaver modifies the landscape to its own liking.
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in the Green Valley, open grasslands and wooded areas alternate, forming a beautiful landscape- picture by Ewout l'Amiral
Whether you hike through the marshes of the Silsombos with the mist-shrouded Zwarte Madam or through the wondrous limestone marshes of Torfbroek, rare plants and animals are never far away. The grasslands in these areas are among the best of Europe. Many of the plants are rare in Flanders or are only found here. The presence of impounding groundwater creates almost permanently wet soils. Rare orchids grow on these calcareous grasslands.
After World War II, these grasslands were planted en masse with poplars. The trees provided a large timber yield in a short time period. During the LIFE project we will remove part of these plantings to restore the old grasslands. Another part will remain standing: canada poplars do not reproduce in our regions. Due to groundwaterlogging, they are not able to thrive and die. The dead wood that remains is the ideal breeding ground for native plant and animal species to grow and flourish again.
The forests in the project area are equally impressive. Spring flora such as blueberry, kingcup, pilewort, wood anemone and oxlip herald the new Spring every year. In the moist parts, great horsetails, which grow up to two meters tall, hint at a prehistoric past. In Autumn, the beautiful autumn crocus becomes the eye-catcher, along with rare mushrooms such as the saffron ringless amanita, the green elfcup and the hare's ear. With any luck, you will see the colorful kingfisher sitting on a branch at the edge of a stream or pond waiting for a tasty fish to pass by. This exotic sight breeds among the roots of fallen trees.
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Autumn Crocus
Not only will your eyes be pampered, prick up your ears as you walk. An orchestra of nightingales, grasshopper warblers, song thrushes and bluebirds will complete your colorful nature experience. At dusk, the cries of a water rail or little owl or the barking of a deer or fox can regularly be heard in the background. The black woodpecker rumbles on the thick trees.
The region is also home to some interesting historical monuments. The Zwarte Madam, The Stenen Goot, the Heersemolen and Ter Balkt watermill are some of the heritage relics you will encounter along the way. Ancient rabats shape the landscape of some grasslands. These are parallel canals were dug to drain groundwater so people could engage in agriculture. These structures hint at a past where these areas were historically wet most of the year. Peat also used to be mined in some places.
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The Ilanka valley, Pilszka valley, Młodno en Koźminek in Poland
The Valley of Ilanka River, a small tributary of the Odra River, intersects the sandy outwash plain of the last glatial period. Several parts ot the valley developed from open lakes to mires - mostly rich fens, supplied in large proportion with calcium-rich groundwater. Utilized as grasslands in historical times, these rich fens have eventually been abandoned and undergone natural regeneration. Now they are covered with a mosaic of vegetation typical for calcareous springs, sedge fens, rushes and alder forest. The most valuable parts of the valley are protected in a recently established nature reserve.
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The Ilanka river, a small tributary of the Odra River, cuts through the landscape in the Ilanka Valley
The origin and land-use history of the Pliszka Valley in Poland is similar to that of the Ilanka Valley. The project sites incude several separated wetlands situated along the valley: the Kosobudki, Pliszka Fen and Wielicko areas, each offering unique wetland landscapes. The largest part of these areas consists of fens supplied with calcium-rich groundwater.
The Kosobudki mire was once drained with ditches and is now recovering, enhancd by active protection measures. It is also formally protected as a nature reserve. The Pliszka mire, the largest mire complex in the valley, is split by the naturally meandering river. The mire contains patches of reed swamps, tall sedges and rich fen vegatation as well as a small raised bog at the valley margin. The Wielicko area is an alkaline fen situated near at the river and lake shores. The remnants of mesotrophic sedge and moss vegetation are overgrown by willow bushes and wet alderwoods. This calls for more intensive active nature management.
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Three separate areas make up the project area of the Pliszka Valley: Kosobudki, Pliszka Fen en Wielicko
The Młodno reserve used to be a lake, which became more shallow over the years with accumulation of slib. Fens, fed by groundwater grow on the edges of this wetland, while in the central part of the basin the rush vegetation with reed and tall cane beds are to be found.
The meadows in Koźminek have developed on the partly drained peatland in the valley of the Leniwa Obra creek. Varying degrees of moisture and unique soils, rich in cacium carbonate, create the perfect conditions for several valuable meadow species. These species include the seven species of orchids, gladiolus, carnations and the globe flower. Many sedge plants are found in the wet zones, while low willow bushes grow in the northern part, re-sprouting after each mowing.
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Varying degrees of moisture and unique soil, create the perfect conditions for several valuable meadow species
Target Habitats
The European Union granted status of protection to several habitats as they became increasingly rare due to changing land use. To ensure their survival, areas where the habitats still occur were included in the Natura 2000 network of European Important Natural Areas. This project works around 9 of those habitats.
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The grasslands of the Green Valley habour immense biodiversity
(Semi-)wet open habitats
Lowland hay meadows (6510) thrive on moist soils and floodplains, but have become rare outside nature preserves due to declining hay management and intensive agriculture. Careful mowing management is needed to maintain their species richness. Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels (6430) provide habitat for numerous insects, such as butterflies and hoverflies. These shrublands require cyclical felling and mowing management to maintain open structure and biodiversity, but they are susceptible to desiccation and pollution. Also of interest are the Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (6410), with their distinctive blue hue due to species such as Pipeweed and Blue sedge. These wet grasslands require annual mowing management and a stable water regime to survive. Alkaline fens (7230) are one of the most species-rich plant communities in Flanders, and are characterized by the continuous refreshment of groundwater, creating unique vegetation. Their conservation requires targeted management that takes into account the delicate water balance.
Forest habitats
Several valuable forest habitats occur in the project area, each contributing to biodiversity. The Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (91E0*) are found on alluvial soils along rivers and streams, and in swampy depressions. These forests, consisting of Alder-Essen Forests, Alder-Brook Forests and Willow Forests, depend on good water quality and natural flood dynamics. Planted poplar forests may eventually be transformed into these valuable forest types through natural succession. There are also the Sub-Atlantic and medio-European oak or oak-hornbeam forests of the Carpinion betuli (9160), which occur on both acidic and less acidic loamy soils. These forests harbor a rich spring flora, ranging from Wood anemone and Yellow deadnettle on the nutrient-poor soils, to Badger garlic and Slender primrose on the more nutrient-rich soils. Specific management, such as zoom and mantle management, release of suppressed species, and retention of thick trees and dead wood, is necessary to maintain these forests. Then there are the Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with Ilex and sometimes also Taxus in the shrublayer (9120), which can be recognized by the presence of spring flora such as Lily of the Valley, Limeweed and Blueberry. These forests are slightly poorer in nutrients, but play an important role in maintaining acid-loving vegetation in the area.
Dry, open habitats
Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe) (6230) contain species-rich closed grasslands of nutrient-poor soils. These are low-production grasslands with mostly perennial species. Nardus grasslands are among one of the most endangered habitat types in Flanders and in well-developed form are only “marginally” found. Usually they have been reduced to small patches or strips. Mowing is the most appropriate form of management, especially for small relics. For larger areas, a combination with grazing may be possible. Important opportunities for restoration of heathy grassland in Flanders lie in forested or overgrown plots, in the vicinity of existing relicts.
Freshwater habitats
Wreathweeds (Characeae) are aquatic plants that, like ferns and mosses, reproduce by spores. They grow mainly in clear, moderately carbonate to very calcareous, calm waters with good water quality. Wreath wrack vegetations are often at the beginning of a succession series to other aquatic plant or riparian communities. These pioneer vegetations can be found, for example, in newly dug ditches or pools, in outcropping dune pans or recently dredged ponds. When environmental conditions permit, dense garland wrack vegetation can also occur for long periods of time. Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp (3140) are characterized by very clear water and are therefore also interesting for various fauna.
Target Species
The Desmoulin's Whorl Snail, a small land snail with a distinctive barrel-shaped body, is a protected species in Europe and is listed on Flanders' Red List as “threatened with extinction. This snail is found in wet, mostly alkaline-rich wetlands scattered throughout several European countries, including Belgium. Although the species was once considered extinct in Belgium, populations have recently been discovered again in Flemish Brabant, among other places, thanks to intensive inventories. The snail lives mainly on large sedge plants, where it feeds on fungi, and spends the winter on leaves, stems and dead plant material above the water surface. This snail thrives in marshes with stable hydrological conditions, where the water table does not drop more than half a meter below ground level. These habitats must remain moist from autumn on, or the snail will quickly disappear. The snail acts as an important indicator of the quality of wetlands.
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The Desmoulin's whorl snail is a very small species of land snail
The great crested newt is the largest newt in Belgium and recognizable by the serrated dorsal crest that males develop in spring. Their orange belly with black spots makes them extra conspicuous. These salamanders like moderate to nutrient-rich, stagnant waters with plenty of underwater plants. They are found mostly in wooded areas and along rivers, where they migrate to the water in the spring to reproduce. Although the great crested newt is widespread in Flanders, populations are often fragmented and vulnerable due to the loss of suitable habitat. Fortunately, conservation measures and targeted nature management projects have led to positive trends in some nature reserves. Nevertheless, the species is not out of harm's way yet, as many populations live outside protected areas.
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The great crested newt preferres mineral-rich stagnant waters
Publications
Several informational documents have been produced since the start of the project. Below you can find an overview.
Monitoring Great Crested Newt
The presence of the Great Crested Newt inside the LIFE Green Valleys project are will be monitored three times during the project: at the start (2020), in the middle (2022) and at the end of the project (2025). Monitoring of this species always occurs in the Spring. The results are compared over the years to gain insights in the effects of the restauration actions of the project.
Monitoring Desmoulin's Whorl Snail
The presence of the Desmoulin's Whorl Snail inside the LIFE Green Valleys project are will be monitored three times during the project: at the start (2020), in the middle (2022) and at the end of the project (2024). Monitoring of this species always occurs in the Autumn. The results are compared over the years to gain insights in the effects of the restauration actions of the project.
Bat monitoring
Before starting any restoration action that involves felling trees, the trees are throughoughly checked for indications of the presence of bats or bat nests. This way, any negative impact on the populations are minimised as much as possible.
In 2019, our research were in for a surprise: the lesser horseshoe bat, a species not observed in Flanders in the last 45 years, shot past the monitoring equipment! Since this discovery, Natuurpunt has monitored the surrounding areas each year. Unfortunately, this rare passerby has not been spotted again.
Ecohydrological study
In order to make the restoration actions of the LIFE Green Valleys project as (cost)efficient as possible, this study specifically looked at the ecohydrological functioning of the different sub-areas. This included extensive attention to ground and surface water chemistry and dynamics, and associated vegetation zoning.
Socio-Economic Impact Analysis
A Socio-Economic Impact Analysis (SEIA) identifies the socio-economic impacts resulting from the large-scale nature restoration in the Green Valley and Pikhakendonk. This analysis is conducted at the beginning of the project (2020) and at the end of the project (2025).
Document
Interactive drawings
Projectpartner Natuurinvest produced several interactive drawings of the various desired natural habitats in the LIFE Green Valleys project. These interactive drawings are educational tools to better understand the habitats.
Glanshaver- en Grote vossenstaartgraslanden (6510)
Voedselrijke, soortenrijke ruigtes langs waterlopen en boszomen (6430)
Valleibossen, Elzenbroekbossen en zachthoutooibossen (91E0*)
Informational videos
Projectpartner NatuurInvest procude 10 informational videos throughout the course of the project. These videos are focused on the various themes in LIFE Green Valleys. You can watch the first 5 videos here:
1) gebruik van biomassa in Polen
2) ontslibben van vijvers voor het herstel van kranswiervegetaties
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