The total surface area of Belgium is 33,990 km², of which 30,528 km² of land and 3,462 km² of Belgian North Sea. Such a small area seems to suggest a low variety of landscapes. However, the opposite is true and is encouraged by a unique combination of natural features such as soil, relief and climate, and an intensive use of the land. 

 

Belgium has three main geographical regions: the coastal plain in the north-west, the central plateau, and the Ardennes uplands in the south-east. 
 The coastal plain consists mainly of sand dunes and polders. Polders are areas of land, close to or below sea level that have been reclaimed from the sea, from which they are protected by dikes or, further inland, by fields that have been drained with canals. 
 The second geographical region, the central plateau, lies further inland. This is a smooth, slowly rising area that has many fertile valleys (with mainly loess soil) and is irrigated by many waterways. Here one can also find rougher land, including caves and small gorges. 
 The third geographical region, called the Ardennes, is more rugged than the first two. It is a forested plateau, very rocky and not very good for farming, which extends into northern France and in Germany where it is named Eifel. This is where much of Belgium's wildlife can be found. Belgium's highest point, the Signal de Botrange is located in this region at only 694 metres (2,277 ft). Belgium has relatively few natural lakes and none of any great size. 

Of course this is a generalization. Each of these zones has a multitude of landscape elements, natural (rivers, dunes, hills, valleys, ...) and man-made (meadows, hedges, ponds, ...), leading to a high variety of habitats for fauna and flora. 

After the last ice age, more than 10,000 years ago, the steppe that covered Belgium was transformed into a vast and almost continuous forest. From the beginning of the first agricultural activities, almost 7,500 years ago, until the 19th century, certain regions were deforested and brought into cultivation. On the biological level, this moderate deforestation led to a greater diversity of habitats, fauna and flora. 

The industrial revolution, however, caused major changes in the landscape. Agriculture became more intensive and therefore less nature-friendly, while cities and businesses expanded like mushrooms and invaded a lot of open space. 

In general Belgium has a temperate climate influenced by the sea. 

The annual averages in Uccle, home of the Royal Meteorological Institute, currently amount to 10.6 ° C and 977 mm precipitation. 

In the High Fens, located in the southeast of our country, there is a continental climate with warmer summers and harsher winters. In general, the higher the location of an area, the lower the temperature and the more abundant the precipitation. Local phenomena further increase the variety of habitats. Thus the most southern tip of our country, Belgian Lorraine, is also called the Belgian Provence, because of the south-facing, warm slopes. Here, species are often found that live mainly more south. 

-> Natterjack toad Bufo calamita

-> Northern crested newt (also known as the great crested newt or warty newt) Triturus cristatus 

-> Smooth new ( the common newt) Triturus vulgaris

-> Common toad Bufo bufo 

-> Common frog Rana temporaria

Currently these populations are endangered by a parasite-fungus.

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans is a dangerous fungus that can be considered a threat to all amphibians. He has surfaced since 1998. The fungus attacks frogs, salamanders and toads. The fungus causes chytridiomycosis. 

To grow, this yeast-like fungus uses keratin. He settles in the upper layers of the skin of amphibians and in the mouth of tadpoles. Contamination occurs via the water or through direct contact with the fungus. The incubation period lasts 8 to 15 days. The fungus develops optimally at a temperature between 17 and 25 °C and under humid conditions. The fungus produces mobile spores that adhere to the keratinized skin of an amphibian. The spore then develops into a so-called sporangium in which new spores are formed that are released and can infect a new amphibian. The symptoms in affected amphibians are mainly: the release of pieces of skin, lethargy, behavioral change, abnormal postures and skin wounds. In tadpoles the fungus causes deformed beaks. The fungus leads to acute mortality. While Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis mainly affects frogs, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans is responsible for mortality in salamanders.

In general the ecological niche of snails is amongst others defined by the type of biotope, the microclimate at ground level (humidity, temperature), the soil and soil condition (amount of chalk, amount of loose material in the top layer, texture, humidity) and predators.
 The Pointed snail is rare in Belgium. At the seaside, more specifically the dunes in the west only, the snail is common. The Pointed snail is a habitant of dunes with Marram grass and dune grasslands both rich on chalk. To prevent dehydration the tiny snail is active during the night and with rainy weather. During the day (in summertime) they prefer to climb in plants in order to avoid the hot soil.