Local Action for Biodiversity in the Brussels Capital Region

Transcription

1 Urban Biodiversity: Local Solutions to Global Challenges Greenweek session 2.8, 3th June 2010 Local Action for Biodiversity in the Brussels Capital Region MACHTELD GRYSEELS MARIE-CELINE GODIN Brussels Environment Division Nature, Water and Forest

2 Brussels Capital Region (Belgium) in Europe Flanders Region 160 km² (0,5 % of Belgium) 19 municipalities inhabitants commuters dense traffic infrastructure Walloon Region Brussels Environmental Administration : Brussels Institute for Management of the Environment (BE)

3 Brussels Capital Region (160 km²) Green spaces linked with roads 3% Railway verges 3% despites high urbanization, very «green» region, green belt % Degree of green, open spaces Forests 20% Private gardens 32% Public parks and gardens 12% Derelict land 7% Agricultural areas 7% Cemeteries 2% Private large domains 10% Open-air recreation areas 4% Sites of High Biological Value: merely at the periphery (green belt) + 50 % not build + 15 %: sites of HBV (excl. Private green) Sites of HBV Green spaces Management : - Regional spaces Nature Reserves: 150 ha Forests: 1750 ha Parks: 350 ha - Other spaces : local municipalities + other regional services + private

4 Brussels Capital Region: unexpected flora & fauna- richness GROUPS TOTAL EXOTIC ENDANGERED Mammalia 44 species 3 exotic 7 species 17 species chiroptera (total 21 sp. in Belgium) Avifauna ± 100 species breading birds 11 exotic 8 species Peregrine Falcon on cathedral Herpetofauna 10 species (3 reptiels, 7 amphibians) 1 exotic Higher plants ±793 species (50% Belg. Flore) 27% exotic 2 species 66 species 50sp./km² (center) 300 sp./km² (periphery) Bryophyta ± 223 species 49 species Macrofungi ± 913 species 1 exotic ± 748 species Lichens 36 species epiphytic macrolichens on trees?? Dragonflies 23 species 0 9 species Old World Swallowtail Vespertilionid bat Bee orchid on derelict land Orthoptera 26 species 1 exotic Butterflies 29 species 1 exotic 14 species diversity in biotopes diversity of species A wide range of high - to low quality biotopes Red foxes Stag beetle

5 2004: BCR designation of 3 SAC (tot ha) 14% BCR surface Natura 2000 sites in the Brussels Capital Region Global vision for the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)-Natura 2000 sites in the Brussels Capital Region 48 sites 37 Core areas 11 Connecting areas 3 coherent network areas Common thread : habitats (limited surface) + buffer area specific species group: bats Life-project connectivity of sites in the urban area ecotones Particular approach : (semi) natural sites + urban parks Connectivity for bats

6 Existing regional biodiversity management strategy based on different concepts: Green and Blue Network European Natura 2000-network on a local basis INTEGRATION

7 GREEN NETWORK - Concept Balanced partitioning: Connectivity: Differentiated management: improve the spatial, functional and qualitative partitioning of the green spaces protection and development of the green continuities between the green spaces integration of biodiversity in the management of the green spaces (ecological management) Social aspect Ecological aspect

8 Green Walk

9 Integration of biodiversity in urban parks Woluwepark Scheutbos

10 Ecological network

11 Biodiversity in construction Practical guide for sustainable restoration and construction of small buildings Integrated concerns: energy, air, health, noise, waste, materials, biodiversity, etc. Railway verges e.g. sheets : What place does the project reserve for biodiversity? Green roofs Green facades Nature management of private gardens

12 Specific actions for species Development of an artificial sand martin breeding cliff Forest house with bat hibernaculum Bat ice cellar Rood Klooster Nestboxes for bats Stag beetle Keeping dead wood for Stag beetle Green roof with beehives

13 Blue Network Concept: integrated management PONTBEEK S/ZENNE K/CANA(A)L HOLLEBEEK LEYBEEK 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 LINKEBEEK VERREWINKEL- BEEK Ecological function (water environments) BLUE NETWORK Hydraulical and hydrological function Social function

14 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 Urban constraints Management plan + Measures program (Rain plan)

15 Waterproofing of the grounds Causes of the floodings Effects of climate change? % of waterproof surfaces in boxes of 100m x 100m Evolution of hydrographical network in Brussels

16 Woluwe valley: re-opening of the river, marsh restoration, creation of green walk Green Walk After works (2006) Woluwe Struybeek Marsh (2007) Urban environment

17 Evacuation of historically polluted sludge (2001) Regional Parc Keyenbempt: restoration of the river and marsh, biodiversity & social aspects Geleytsbeek after restoration (2002) Biodiversity: bat hibernaculum (2009) Biodiversity: restoration of the wetland (2009) Social aspects: allotment gardens (2009)

18 Parc Roi Baudouin: river & parc landscape restoration Before Creation of a buffer zone for water retention River Restoration After Molenbeek 2009

19 Study 2006 SWOT-analysis Weaknesses Strengths High proportion of green space 14 % Natura 2000 A strategic plan for green and blue networks Opportunities High proportion of nature Good potential for partnerships EU legislation driver 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 Threats High development pressures Very high recreational pressure Lots of stakeholders

20 Need for development overall integrated «Urban Biodiversity Strategy Plan» Via engagement: Countdown 2010 LAB March 2009 BRUSSELS, GREEN CITY BRUSSELS, NATURE CITY BIODIVERCITY

21 Learning from LAB: Biodiversity report: collecting data on: not only data on habitats, flora & fauna, protected sites also: local actions NGO Start participatory proces 11th of May 2010 SUPPORT OF SOCIETY FOR DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION OF BIODIVERSITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE URBAN AREA Biodiversity strategy «Nature Plan»

22 Water Plan Nature Plan EU Water frame Water Ordonnance EU Directive Habitat + Ancient nature legislation Nature Ordonnance (new and innovative project 2010) Water Management Plan Continuing to implement the BN Enhancing the valleys & the wetlands Rain Plan, for flood control Nature Biodiversity Plan Protection & managements of habitats and species To develop the ecological network Integration biodiversity: participation process / development partnership