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There are currently 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, an area must meet two strict criteria (cfr. Myer's criteria). And Belgium is not one of them but has sites that have a very rich and remarkable biodiversity.

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Let's search for it...

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Hotspots for biodiversity in the North Sea rediscovered

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Hotspots for biodiversity in the North Sea rediscovered

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Belgian biologists have rediscovered a hotspot for underwater life in the North Sea. In the vicinity of a few sandbanks along the Belgian coast, the fauna is flourishing just like it was a hundred years ago. Despite increased disruption due to fishing, the area is teeming with whelks, top shells and dead man’s fingers.

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Hotspot for Biodiversity in the North Sea Rediscovered | Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences

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Over subsequent decades, the gravel areas were greatly diminished due to fishing: the stones were overturned or pulled up along with the catch, which meant the species that were typical of the region could no longer live there.

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The site comprises a temperate woodland in central Belgium, at the crossroad of the three Regions (Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia). Its unique history has led to a dominance of Fagus sylvatica and mixed Fagus-Quercus forest, whereby the majority of Fagus are exceptionally old for this region (>150 yrs). The wide range of other habitats (valley forests, grasslands, open waters) in combination with the old forest stands makes the Sonian Forest a biodiversity hotspot for a wide range of fauna and flora. There is a long history of research by different institutions and universities in Belgium, and the long-term management is well documented. The site comprises an ICP Forests Level II plot, a strict forest reserve of >200 ha (core area >25 years of vegetation monitoring), several Marteloscopes, scientific arboretum, tree-species experiments, large historical archive, up-to-date detailed remote sensing (aircraft-borne) etc...

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no endemics

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The following valid species and subspecies of ants are known to occur in Belgium. Unidentified and undescribed species will be added to this list as identifications are verified and taxonomic revisions are published. This species list is based upon the effort of many ant collectors as well as myrmecologists who have published on the taxonomy of Belgium ants.

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Flanders joins up Kempen farmland and nature reserves

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Flanders joins up Kempen farmland and nature reserves

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Special conservation actions in the area where I live.
Even a wildlife crossing built over the E34 motorway is connecting habitats around Postel and Kroonvense Heide, across the border. And much more actions!
Read more:

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An €11 million purchase allows several nature reserves in the north of Antwerp province to connect with agricultural areas, improving conditions for flora and fauna

The government of Flanders has bought 289 hectares of forest, wetland and farmland in Mol-Postel, part of the Kempen region close to the Dutch border. The purchase allows a number of other publically owned nature reserves to be joined up, resulting in 1,050 hectares of uninterrupted, protected natural landscape.

"Buying the Mol-Postel domain involved a serious financial investment on the part of the Flemish government, more than €11 million," said environment minister Joke Schauvliege. "Because of its size and location, the purchase is an outstanding opportunity to expand Flanders' nature reserves."

The newly bought land is close to Postel Abbey ( pictured) and connects with land in Koninklijke Schenking, Ronde Put, Koemook and Wurft that is already managed by the Agency for Nature and Woodlands.

The whole area is part of a European protected zone in which special conservation measures help protect vulnerable plant and animal species. This includes gradually replacing conifers with broad-leaved trees more appropriate to the landscape, and allowing fens and heathland to develop. This varied landscape should encourage woodland and heathland birds to nest and breed.

This is also the habitat of the smooth snake, an endangered species that is expected to benefit from having a larger connected environment in which to live and breed. The wildlife crossing built over the E34 motorway performs a similar role connecting habitats around Postel and Kroonvense Heide, across the border.

Farmland in the area will be managed by the Flemish Land Agency, with farmers' rights of occupancy guaranteed for five years.

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Flanders joins up Kempen farmland and nature reserves

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An €11 million purchase allows several nature reserves in the north of Antwerp province to connect with agricultural areas, improving conditions for flora and fauna The government of Flanders has bought 289 hectares of forest, wetland and farmland in Mol-Postel, part of the Kempen region close to the Dutch border.

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Interesting checklist and Belgium has apparently some endemics... some are cave species. But, I think when more research will be done in e.g. caves possibility exists that the species could be found outside Belgium as well.

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Wikipedia), is apparently extinct in the wild, but has been successfully germinated at Kew's Royal Botanic Gardens (BBC). Among the invertebrate species described from Belgium and not known from elsewhere are a cave-dwelling rove beetle Tychobythinus belgicus (p. 4 ofCWEPSS pdf file), a parasitic wasp Cleruchus raignieri (p.

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The Belgian Forum on Invasive Species gathers scientific information on presence, distribution, auto-ecology, adverse impacts and management of invasive alien species.

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Invasive Alien Species in Belgium: Species List

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The species list presented hereafter can be sorted or filtered through different criteria including taxonomy, habitat, introduction date or hazard categories (black and watch lists). It gives access to detailed ecological information and references which have been used for assessing the environmental impact of the different species (see also the ISEIA protocol).

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Belgian Biodiversity Platform : Zoniënwoud/Forêt de Soignes/Sonian Forest (LTER_EU_BE_02)

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A new cave species of the genus Oncopodura Carl & Lebedinsky, 1905 from Belgium (Collembola: Oncopoduridae)

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A new cave species of the genus Oncopodura Carl & Lebedinsky, 1905 from Belgium (Collembola: Oncopoduridae)