LIFE HEROES (English)

Wetalands are among the most threatened ecosystems and the most important carbon stocks in the world. In addition to their unique biodiversity, they provide various natural benefits: water supply, water purification, flood protection, carbon sequestration, climate regulation, production of raw materials and food, tourism, and recreation. They also have significant aesthetic and cultural value.

Eutrophication, acidification, dessication, pollution, overgrowth and invasive alien species are the greatest threats to the decline of unique fauna and flora (dragonflies, butterflies, amphibians and plants) and the degradation of the most important underground carbon reservoirs in Flanders.

Since 1950, 75% of wetlands have disappeared. The causes for the disappearance of nutrient-poor wetlands are drainage for agriculture, peat extraction, residential development and infrastructure, afforestation, and groundwater extraction.

By restoring them, we not only protect special species and habitats but also strengthen the natural resilience of the landscape. By retaining water upstream for longer, we prevent flooding further downstream.

Many of the degraded peatlands are currently emitting carbon. And we want to reverse this cycle into a carbon sponge instead of a carbon bomb. A natural, "healthy" peatland stores carbon (on average 0.7 to 1.8 tonnes equivalent per hectare per year). A degraded (drained) peat emits an average of between 30 and 40 tonnes of CO2 per hectare.

The project will restore nature at 11 locations in Natura 2000 areas in Flanders. In these areas, we tackle the biggest bottlenecks: desiccation, eutrophication, acidification, overgrowth, and invasive alien species.

In the province of Antwerp: 

• Kalmthoutse Heide
• Klein Schietveld
• Groot Schietveld
• Ronde Put 
• Visbeekvallei
• Netevallei (Tikkebroeken, Witte Netevallei and Tussen Wamp and Neten)
• De Maat - Den Diel and Buitengoor

In the province of Limburg

• Ophovenderheide
• Teut-Tenhaagdoornheide
• Sint-Maartensheide – De Luysen
• Terlaemen

LIFE HEROES has four major objectives.

• Restoring landscape-level hydrology so that wetland ecosystems can function effectively again.
• Targeted measures to restore vulnerable, European-protected habitats.
• Measures to boost characteristic species.
• A strong focus on collaboration by involving land managers, local partners, and other stakeholders in implementation. This ensures long-lasting results and paves the way for future projects.

LIFE HEROES focuses on ecosystem restoration to address the current biodiversity and climate crises and to restore the ecosystem services provided by nutrient-poor wetlands. The project implements the EU Nature Restoration Law by prioritizing restoration efforts for wetlands and carbon-rich systems.

Target habitats for LIFE HEROES include:

• Nutrient-poor pools/ponds (3110, 3130, 3160)
• Wet heath (4010)
• Peatland habitats (7110, 7140)
• Calcareous fens (7230)
• Nutrient-poor swamp forests (91E0)
• Several habitats benefit from the hydrological restoration, such as dry heath (4030), species-rich Nardus grasslands (6230), Molinia meadows (6410), and depressions and sod-cut areas on damp soils (7150).
   

The restoration measures provide opportunities for species typical of nutrient-poor wetlands. In the Kalmthoutse Heide, the Irish damselfly receives special attention. At the Schietvelden, these include the Irish damselfly, Sphagnum marsh orchid, and marsh andromeda. In De Teut, the project focuses on the Northern damselfly, Sphagnum marsh orchid, water lobelia, and cotton grass, among others. At multiple locations, the moor frog, northern emerald, alcon blue, and yellow-spotted whiteface will also benefit from the restoration.

More information will follow.

More information will follow.

Agency for Nature and Forests

The agency is responsible for policy, sustainable management, and the strengthening of nature in collaboration with all partners. Nature and Forests cherishes, protects, and develops over 90,000 hectares of nature reserves, forests, and parks in Flanders. The Agency for Nature and Forests strives for more and better nature in Flanders and aims to place nature at the heart of society.

Nature and Forests coordinates the project and is responsible for implementation in the following areas: Kalmthoutse Heide, Klein Schietveld, Groot Schietveld, Ronde Put, Ophovenderheide, and Teut-Tenhaagdoornheide.
 

Natuurpunt Beheer

Natuurpunt is an independent volunteer association with 125,000 members. It protects vulnerable and threatened nature in Flanders. Natuurpunt manages over 25,000 hectares of Flemish nature across 500 different nature reserves. Volunteers take the initiative, handling the acquisition, management, and public access of nature reserves, supported by professional teams.

Within the project, Natuurpunt Beheer is responsible for implementation in the Visbeekvallei, Netevallei, De Maat – Den Diel – Buitengoor, and Sint-Maartensheide – De Luysen areas.
 

Natuurpunt Studie

Natuurpunt Studie is the leading knowledge center for biodiversity in Flanders. In collaboration with citizens, active volunteers, and thematic working groups, a vast amount of knowledge regarding species is gathered by identifying, counting, reporting, and measuring them. Documenting, understanding, and protecting nature—and building public support for it—are their core themes.

Within the project, Natuurpunt Studie coordinates monitoring based on available data (such as waarnemingen.be) and field surveys. 

www.natuurpunt.be

Limburgs Landschap

Limburgs Landschap is the second-largest nature conservation organization in Flanders, managing over 3,000 hectares of natural areas in the province of Limburg. For more than 50 years, they have been protecting and managing nature and the landscape alongside their members, volunteers, and partners.

Limburgs Landschap is responsible for the project's implementation in Terlaemen.
www.limburgs-landschap.be

Natuurinvest

Commissioned by the Agency for Nature and Forests, Natuurinvest invests in projects that enhance the nature experience, thereby ensuring that people can fully enjoy our natural environment. It achieves this in collaboration with private entrepreneurs and public-sector partners. To ensure optimal management of forests, nature, and green spaces in Flanders, Natuurinvest also invests in programs designed to expand public knowledge.

Natuurinvest is responsible for disseminating the knowledge gained during the project.
www.natuurinvest.be

If you would like to know more about the project or have specific questions, you can contact the various partners via:

• General coordination/Agency for Nature and Forests: Dirk Meersman - dirk.meersman@vlaanderen.be
• Natuurpunt Beheer: Jef Hendrix - jef.hendrix@natuurpunt.be

• Limburgs Landschap: Ward Hamaekers - ward.hamaekers@limburgs-landschap.be