K. Brauns's BioArea BE : Province of Limburg in Belgium by Karolien Brauns

Step 1 - assess the problem

karolien_brauns — 2019-01-14 09:03:42 UTC

Answer : "3. The wolves were brought in because the increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood."

Abiotic characteristics

karolien_brauns — 2019-01-14 09:04:28 UTC

Position of Limburg

karolien_brauns — 2019-01-14 16:21:01 UTC

The province of Limburg is located in the Flemish region of Belgium.
Belgian Limburg is situated between the provinces Vlaams-Brabant, Antwerpen and Luik of Belgium and the provinces Noord-Brabant and Limburg of the Netherlands.
The town of Voeren is separated from the rest of Belgian Limburg by the provinces Luik and Dutch Limburg.

Digital height model

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 20:33:34 UTC

The height model for Limburg shows that this region is rather plane. The heigt varies between 18 and 287,5 m above sea level (highest point in Voeren). In the south of Limburg there are hills present, but no mountains or volcanoes can be found in this regione.

Soil types

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 21:26:23 UTC

In the province of Limburg the following soil types can be found : sandy soil, loam soil, clay soil, sandy loam soil, rocky loam soil, drift dunes, colluvial soil, alluvial soil, bogland

Soil use

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 21:41:30 UTC

Soil use consists of agricultural, natural, habitated and industrial areas.

Hydrogeoloy

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 21:56:42 UTC

General description

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 22:02:04 UTC

Hydrography

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 22:14:59 UTC

In limburg are 2 large river basins, namely of the Meuse in the west and the Scheldt in the east. The sub-basins of the rivers Demer and Nete are part of the basin of the Scheldt.

River system

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 22:21:48 UTC

The main 2 rivers in Limburg are the Meuse in the West and the Demer in te East.

Flood areas

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 22:51:38 UTC

The map below shows the regions that are effectively and possibly sensitive to flooding.

Natura 2000 network

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 23:06:55 UTC

Natura 2000 is a European network of core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species, and some rare natural habitat types which are protected in their own right.
The aim of the network is to ensure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats, listed under both the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive.
In the figure below you can observe the areas protected by the Birds directive and the habitats directive in Limburg.

Flemish Ecological Network (VEN) and Integral Interweaving and Support Network (IVON)

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 23:07:25 UTC

The VEN and IVON areas are protected nature areas in Flanders.
The VEN and IVON consists of "big unites of nature", 'big unites of nature in development" and "nature interweaving areas". Together they form an ecological network, consisting of stepping stones for protected species.

Ramsar sites

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 23:27:30 UTC

In Belgium are 9 Ramsar sites present, but none of them are located in the province of Limburg.

Nature reserves

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 23:34:58 UTC

Several nature reserves are located in Limburg. Recognized nature reserves, Flemish nature reserves and Forest reserves can be distinguished.
These nature reserves mostly overlap with the Natura 2000 network and the VEN and IVON areas.

Biodiversity hotspots and endemic species

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-10 23:49:16 UTC

There are no biodiversity hotspots and no endemic species in province Limburg.

IUCN red list

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 00:02:10 UTC

Many species on the IUCN red list of Flanders can be found in Limburg, for instance :

Hylo arborea (critically endangered),
Rana arvalis (vulnerable),
Coronella austriaca (endangered),
Sterna hirundo (vulnerable), Botaurus stellaris (critically endangered),
Circus aeruginosus (endangered)
Neomys fodiens (endangered),
Muscardinus avellanarius (critically endangered),
Myotis bechsteinii (endangered),
Myotis myotis (critically endangered),
Sympetrum depressiusculum (vulnerable),
Leucorrhinia pectoralis (critically endangered),
Lucanus cervus (endangered),
Maculinea alcon (endangered),
Misgurnus fossilis (critically endangered),
Lampetra planeri (vulnerable),
Liparis loeselii (critically endangered),
Luronium natans (vulnerable),
...
https://www.inbo.be/en/search-flanders-red-lists
Picture of the european tree frog below © Hugo Willockx

Species of the habitat and bird directive

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 00:43:07 UTC

Species of the Bird and Habitat directive present in Limburg are for instance :
Myotis bechsteinii,
Myotis myotis,
Hylo arborea,
Rana arvalis,
Coronella austriaca,
Sterna hirundo,
Botaurus stellaris,
Luscinia svecica,
Liparis loeselii,
Luronium natans,
...

Habitattypes of the Habitat directive in Flanders

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 00:44:04 UTC

Habitattypes present in Limburg are for instance :
2330 Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands
4030 European dry heaths
6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae)
7110 Active raised bogs
9130 Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests
...

Biodiversity in Belgium

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 00:55:50 UTC

According to latest data gathered by Statistics Belgium (reference year 2011), 40.467 species have been identified so far in Belgium. There are probably around 15.000 additional species present, but these have yet to be discovered. A little less than two-thirds of the known species are animals, the rest being plants, micro-organisms and fungi. Insects, like in elsewhere in the world, are by far the most numerous.

Human impacts on biodiversity

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 01:05:31 UTC

* impacts of landuse by agriculture and urbanization
* impacts of the use of pesticides
* impacts of the changing climate
* impacts of human-induced stress, such as disturbance by noise, temperature shift, presence of humans, recreation
* impacts due to the introduction of invasive species
* ....

For more detailed information I refer to Theme 3 : Threats to biodiversity in a changing climate

Climate change

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 01:11:34 UTC

In Belgium 25 to 75 % of the species are at risk of decreasing in numbers. Many causes are responsible for this decline, for example degradation and fragmentation of habitats, pollution of the soil, water and air, building...
The climate change puts the biodiversity under more pressure. Native species have the choice between adapting, migrating or extinction. In the meanwhile new non-native species emerse and develop massively at the cost of indigenous species.

Biotic characteristics - biodiversity and nature areas

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 01:39:11 UTC

Biotic characteristics - species and habitats

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 01:40:10 UTC

Invasive exotic species

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 01:44:12 UTC

Invasive species

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 01:46:51 UTC

The Belgian Forum on Invasive Species gathers scientific information on presence, distribution, auto-ecology, adverse impacts and management of invasive alien species. It regularly updates a reference list of exotic species in Belgium and is responsible for the elaboration of a black list gathering species with a strong detrimental impact on biodiversity.

Invasive species in Limburg

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 01:48:36 UTC

Human impacts on UPA's

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 01:50:23 UTC

During the last decades, outdoor recreation has become progressively more important, especially in UPA, while biodiversity continues to decline by among others human-induced stress (such as hiking, biking, etc.). Currently, the legal framework to protect ecosystems and ecosystem services is scattered around many laws. In this arena of conflicting demands, careful planning of the area, its infrastructure and activities is needed to sustain the value of UPAs.

Biodiversity in Limburg

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 01:53:24 UTC

40% of the surface of protected nature in Flanders is located in Limburg. About 90% of all the Flemish plants and animals are present in Limburg. Above all many rare and threatened Flemish species can only be found in province Limburg

Disturbance by human activities

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 02:02:46 UTC

The marlpits in Limburg are used by bats as a winter residence. Disturbance by humans have occured by parties, walks, making fire, driving around with vehicles, etc. in the marlpits. Nowadays many marlpits in Limburg have been closed of in protection of the hibernating bats. This has led to an increase in the number of hibernating bats in these specific marlpits.

The lethal impact of the pesticide Roundup on aquatic and terrestrial amphibians

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 02:10:38 UTC

A relation between Roundup and the decline of biodiversity of amphibians has been found. 68-86% of young amphibians died when exposed to a thinned solution of Roundup.

The Impact of Insecticides and Herbicides on the Biodiversity and Productivity of Aquatic Communities

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 02:14:30 UTC

Pesticides are often used in nature management as a solution for invasive species. A researcher investigated the effects on freshwater fauna. The biodiversity declined with 22% when glyfosate is used, by 30% when malathion is used, by 15% when Sevin is used en no effect when 2,4-D is used.
Especially Roundup (glyfosate) eradicated different species of amphibians, reducing de tadpoles diversity by 70%. Therefor is the use of glyfosate in and around water ecosystems advised against.

Current status and predicted impact of climate change on forest production and biogeochemistry in the temperate oceanic European zone: review and prospects for Belgium as a case study

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 02:21:17 UTC

Results show that Belgian forests are mainly young forests, very productive and have a high capacity for carbon storage. Major negative deviations in vitality were observed in the 1990s (storms) and as a result of disturbances in the last decade for sensitive species such as poplar and beech. Thanks to high atmospheric deposition and soil fertilization (as a result of the former land use), the nutrient supply of the Belgian forests will probably be able to be maintained in the future, despite the expected increase in productivity as a result of an increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations in the coming years. . However, in the long term, such an increase in production is likely to be limited by a shortage of nutrients at poor sites and by drought for vulnerable species such as beech and Norway spruce. Drought situations are likely to increase in the future, but negative effects are expected for a limited number of tree species. The potential effects of storms, outbreaks of insects and fungi must be carefully examined, while forest fires should in principle be less of a concern for Belgium.

Impacts of landuse

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 02:27:37 UTC

The increasing urbanization and the intensification of agriculture have an impact on ecosystems and their services. If our society wants to use the ecosystems and their services to the full, it must protect them and preserve them.

Invasions of exotic invasive species

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:14:18 UTC

Signs of climate change

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:15:46 UTC

Wildlife overexploitation

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:17:16 UTC

Species on the IUCN list

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:17:45 UTC

IUCN red list

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:19:44 UTC

Habitat loss

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:26:38 UTC

Habitat fragmentation

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:26:46 UTC

Habitat degradation

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:26:59 UTC

Predator - prey relationship

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:36:32 UTC

Relations between organisms in Limburg

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:36:42 UTC

Parasitism

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:37:20 UTC

Ecological niche of organisms

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:38:26 UTC

Niche partitioning

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:38:39 UTC

Trophic pyramid

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:38:53 UTC

Predator - prey 1

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:44:28 UTC

Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) feeds
on fish, small mammals, fledgling birds, amphibians (mainly frogs), crustaceans and insects (larvae of libellulae).

Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) - predator

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:51:10 UTC

The Eurasian bittern or great bittern (Botaurus stellaris) is a wading bird.
The bittern usually breeds in extensive, structure-rich reed beds with perennial reeds and here and there shallow ponds. He mainly forages in shallow water in wide reed collars.
It is a secretive bird, seldom seen in the open as it prefers to skulk in reed beds and thick vegetation near water bodies.
Picture below © François Van Bauwel

Common roach (Rutilus rutilus) - prey

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 08:57:08 UTC

The common roach (Rutilus rutilus) is a fresh and brackish water fish.
The roach is a small fish, often reaching no more than about 35 cm; maximum length is 45–50 cm.
The common roach is very adaptable and can be found in any freshwater ecosystem, ranging from small ponds to the largest rivers and lakes. It will feed at any depth, although its preferred food sources tend to be in shallower water.

Predator - prey 2

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 09:10:02 UTC

Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) is insectivorous and uses echolocation to find prey and orient itself at night.
Daubenton's bat often hunts above water. He owes his name to this. The species lives mainly from shooting moths and flies.

Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) - predator

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 09:13:54 UTC

The Daubenton's bat is a medium-sized species that can be found anywhere in Flanders near the vicinity of water.
Picture below © Karolien Brauns

Caddis flies (Trichoptera) - prey

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 09:15:13 UTC

The caddisflies, or order Trichoptera, are a group of insects with aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults.
Caddisflies are useful as bioindicators, as they are sensitive to water pollution and are large enough to be assessed in the field.

Parasitic organism 1 - Mistletoe (Viscum album)

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 09:21:42 UTC

The mistletoe (Viscum album) is an evergreen plant. Viscum album is a hemiparasite on several species of trees, from which it draws water and nutrients.
The most general host in Flanders is undoubtedly the Canada poplar. Mistletoe also grows quite frequently on apple trees. Other hosts are rarer (including hawthorn, maple and robinia). Mistletoe is in our regions mainly bound to calcareous soils, while the hosts appear much wider.
The species can mainly be found in the south of Limburg.

Parasitic organism 2 - Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica)

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 09:21:49 UTC

Lousewort is a species of habitattype 6230 Species-rich Nardus grassland, on siliceous substrates.
The species prefers slightly humous to peaty and loamy, acidic, nutrient-poor sandy soils. The species stands in places with a shallow groundwater table.
The species is a hemiparasite and parasites on the roots of grasses.

Species 1 - Northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus)

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 09:47:27 UTC

The Northern crested newt mainly occupies small-scale landscapes with a high diversity of biotope types. The breeding sites are cattle drinking pools, bomb pits, cut river arms, small ponds, clay grooves, relatively nutrient-rich fens or other puddles with stagnant, relatively nutrient-rich water with a virtually neutral pH (see, for example, habitat type 3150). Crested newts are frequently found in areas with groups of closely spaced water bodies. The puddles are preferably little or not shaded, relatively deep and / or contain virtually year-round water. The presence of fish has an adverse effect. The presence of water plants is required; alternation between places with dense water vegetation and parts with open water is optimal. The females individually lay the eggs on submerged leaves of water or shore plants. The larvae hatch after about three weeks, and then live in the pond as aquatic predators (predates on tadpoles, worms, insects and insect larvae).
In the period November-March the species hibernates on land. Favorable land biotopes are forests, thickets, orchards, moist and extensively managed meadows, heathland, hedgerows and hedges. The migration from land-to-water biotope and between breeding coils often takes place along hedges, rows of pollard trees, reed beds and field margins with rough herbs.

Species 1 - Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 09:47:38 UTC

The Little Egret is a species of very open terrain. The preference is mainly for mud flats, marshes and lagoons, preferably surrounded by alluvial forests consisting of willows and other tree species or low bushes. Other areas with shallow water are also eligible. It is a daytime active bird that feeds on fish, amphibians, insects and snails in shallow water. In the evening they fly with their kind to a shared sleeping place. The nest is made in the trees, usually in colonies between other heron species.

Species 2 - Great white egret (Ardea alba)

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 09:47:57 UTC

The favorite breeding and foraging biotopes of this colony bird are reed marshes, alluvial forests and shoreline zones of large shallow lakes and ponds, preferably with reed beds and some shrubs or trees. The food consists of fish, amphibians, small mammals and water insects. Foraging mainly takes place in ditches, along banks and on flooded grasslands. The three-spined stickleback is at the top of the menu. The nest is built on over-old reeds, sometimes also in willows.

Species 2 - European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 09:48:04 UTC

The Nightjar is a bird of structurally rich (old) heathlands with a gradual transition to open to semi-open forests on sandy soil with wide sand plains or paths. There is also nesting in cap plains. The nest is always on the ground. In the twilight and at night they hunt on insects such as moths, mosquitoes and beetles, which are caught with a wide open mouth.

The nightjar occupies a special ecological niche of insectivorous birds that hunt during twilight and night. Unlike bats or owls, they hunt only on sight. They therefore have special morphological and physiological adjustments. The diet consists mainly of night-active moths, but also of beetles. Since nightjars are not very selective in their diet, the food composition will depend on the supply. The availability of insects can vary according to biotope type, year, season, temperature and humidity, but also according to the propagation time of the insects.

In addition to the development of large eyes, each eye has a field of view of 180 and each eye can be rotated separately to explore the underlying environment. When opening the mouth, you can look past the beak so that the prey can be caught more accurately. The internal structure of the eyes has also been adjusted. The retina consists of a large number of rods and behind the retina a tapetum lucidum occurs. Other developments in the head focus on the 'processing' of prey. Bristles on the upper beak enlarge the catch area, reduce the escape possibilities for insects and protect the eyes. A highly vascularized palate and the tang hairs on the upper beak would allow to respond quickly to the capture of an insect. A dilated esophagus serves for the storage and rapid channeling of food. The feathers of the nightjar are soft, like with owls, this makes it possible for them to fly noiselessly and to approach prey more easily.

How do they share the same niche?

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 10:26:25 UTC

* difference in foraging methods : The Little Egret often runs after its prey. The Great Egret is more patient, and will stand still for a long time to wait until prey come nearby; then it spears its prey with its beak.
* the size of prey varies : Little Egret eats prey with a size in between of 1,2 en 15 cm with a preference for prey of ca. 4 cm.

European badger (Meles meles)

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 11:24:59 UTC

European badgers have suffered in the past of extermination, hunting and poaching.

Eurasian beaver

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 11:30:23 UTC

The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) was nearly hunted to extinction in Europe, both for fur and for castoreum, a secretion from its scent gland believed to have medicinal properties. However, the beaver is now being re-introduced throughout Europe.

What means climate change for Flanders

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 11:35:03 UTC

www.klimaat.vmm.be

Increase in flooding

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 11:40:43 UTC

Increase in average year temperature

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 11:48:43 UTC

Increase in sensitivity for drought

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 11:50:43 UTC

Increasing hardening

karolien_brauns — 2019-02-11 11:53:07 UTC

The predicted increasing hardening in Flanders causes an increase in habitat fragmentation.