https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7 Biodiversity and CC course en-us 2019-01-27 13:17:36 UTC 2025-10-15 01:40:51 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Pictureland.png gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324672338 2019-01-27 13:30:10 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324672338 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324672429 Belgium is a small country in Western Europe, between The Netherlands, France and Germany. 

]]> 2019-01-27 13:31:02 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324672429 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324672521 2019-01-27 13:32:02 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324672521 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324673016 Latitude: 51°13"
= about 5600km from the equator and 4300km from the North Pole
Longitude: 4°24"
= GMT+1

Total area of 30528 km²

Lowest point: 0m
Highest point: 694m]]> 2019-01-27 13:36:32 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324673016 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324673305 Geographically, Belgium can be  divided into 2 parts:
- Lowlands (North): part of the coastal area of the North Sea: sedimentaire rock from Tertair and Kwartair period
- Plateau of the Ardenne (South): hard rock from Paleozoïcum, carved into valleys by multiple rivers

The lowlands used to be swamps and wetlands, but have been "regained" from the sea. This creates an area calles "polders" 

]]> 2019-01-27 13:39:05 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324673305 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324674354 2019-01-27 13:49:35 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324674354 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324674508 2019-01-27 13:51:33 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324674508 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324674618 Temperate Sea Climate
Mainly winds from the West
Cloudy
Regular rains

Average year temperature in the North is about 10°C. Average in January: 2°C, in July 21°C.
The South (Ardenne) is about 5°C cooler.
Annual precipitation is about 800mm. 

Average hours of Sun per day varies from 2 in the Winter to 7h in the Summer

]]> 2019-01-27 13:52:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324674618 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324675035 2019-01-27 13:57:12 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324675035 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324675591 The Ardennes]]> 2019-01-27 14:03:15 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324675591 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324675847 With over 11mi inhabitants, Belgium is a highly populated area, so lot's of human activity, both recent and not so recent.

In Flanders (North) we see a high amount of ribbon development, cutting nature in several small pieces isolated from each other.

In the Dark Ages, sheep farming created a vegetation called "Heide". 

As mentioned, part of the North is land regained from the Sea. To protect Flanders from flooding, the Sigma plan was created to transform these polders into flood control area's.

]]> 2019-01-27 14:06:03 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324675847 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324675962 2019-01-27 14:07:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324675962 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324676505 2019-01-27 14:12:30 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324676505 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324676786 2019-01-27 14:15:41 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324676786 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324677752 2019-01-27 14:24:04 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324677752 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324677965 Wild pig
In order to support the populair hunting sport, hunters have imported wild pig into Belgium. This action has lead to an increase of the population and recently to an outbreak of the African plague.

The lack of a natural predator and feeding by hunters has lead to such a large population that the wild pig is now considered a problem.

Wolves
Very recently, 2 wolves have been spotted in Belgium. This of course reminds of the Yellowstone story. In some years, we might see something simular?

]]> 2019-01-27 14:26:02 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324677965 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324678102 Article about the wild pig in US, but no doubt similar can be seen in Belgium.

]]> 2019-01-27 14:27:29 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324678102 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324678512 2019-01-27 14:31:03 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324678512 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324678656 2019-01-27 14:32:14 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324678656 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324678960 2019-01-27 14:34:12 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324678960 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324680468 Belgium does not belong to a diversity hotspot.

Endemic species: see column "species" to the right. Since Belgium is not geographically isolated, one should consider it to be part of Western Europe when thinking about endemic species
. 
Abiotic factors: see geography, climate and human activity

Biotic: see "Trophic cascade?"

Lost of damaging human activities (see "Human Activity") and very little protected area's (see Nature protection).

We do not have any vulcano's in Belgium.]]> 2019-01-27 14:46:38 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324680468 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324680515 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/22/pioneering-female-becomes-first-wolf-in-belgium-in-a-century]]> 2019-01-27 14:47:08 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324680515 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324680522 2019-01-27 14:47:10 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324680522 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682121 2019-01-27 14:55:13 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682121 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682221 2019-01-27 14:56:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682221 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682301 2019-01-27 14:57:11 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682301 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682663 2019-01-27 15:01:06 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682663 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682743 2019-01-27 15:01:31 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324682743 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683164 2019-01-27 15:05:05 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683164 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683253 2019-01-27 15:05:48 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683253 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683301 2019-01-27 15:06:12 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683301 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683448 2019-01-27 15:07:33 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683448 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683933 2019-01-27 15:11:42 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324683933 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324713853 3.     The wolves were brought in because the increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood.

See also:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_reintroduction

]]> 2019-01-27 18:58:32 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324713853 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324713885 Predator-Prey: fox and rabbit

Parasites: Honey fungus (parasitic mushroom) and Tics

Ecological niche of a fox and pheasant: see colum "Ecological Niches"

Niche Partitioning: hedgehog and moles: both eat insects - the hedgehog above ground, the moles below ground. ]]> 2019-01-27 18:58:53 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324713885 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324714844 Can be found in almost all habitats. In Belgium usually in forests with open area's.
the fox hunts alone, usually by dusk or night although can be seen in daytime as well. 
The fox is an omnivore: eats small to medium prey (bugs, mice, rodents), berries and cadavers.
The fox is a foodsource for mosquitoes and host to numerous diseases
Usually lives in small groups and digs holes.

]]> 2019-01-27 19:06:52 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/324714844 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326617776 A very common bird and popular among hunters. Probably introduced in our region by the Romans.
Found mostly in forests and half-open landscapes. Typically found alone or in small flocks.
Pheasants eat grains, seeds, berries,... and invertebrates.
The pheasant is eaten by birds of prey and other predators. Pheasants nests are food sources for foxes, rats,...

]]> 2019-02-01 10:08:07 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326617776 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326659994 2019-02-01 13:03:43 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326659994 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326660805 Belgium is sometimes called "the piece of highway between The Netherlands and France". With this many roads, there is a high level of fragmentation. ]]> 2019-02-01 13:06:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326660805 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326661346 Nature organisations organize "toad transfers" in order to help toads cross the roads and avoid getting killed by traffic.]]> 2019-02-01 13:08:33 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326661346 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326661792 About 45% of Flanders is agriculture land. Due to the use of fertilizer, there are high levels of nitrate in soil and water. ]]> 2019-02-01 13:10:05 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326661792 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326664298 Habitat loss, fragmentation en degradation examples:
- Roads
- Fertilizer
(see to the right for more info)

Wildlife over-exploitation

Species on the IUCN Red List of Threatend species: many farmland birds are threatend, e.g. grey partridge.

Alien Species: polygonum cuspidatum

Signs of climate change: dry summers]]> 2019-02-01 13:18:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326664298 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326667109 2019-02-01 13:25:49 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326667109 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326668241 2019-02-01 13:28:44 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326668241 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326669159 Guide (in Dutch) about Polygonum Cuspidatum]]> 2019-02-01 13:31:20 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326669159 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326671178 This graph (taken from https://www.meteo.be/meteo/view/nl/1088480-Jaarlijkse+grafieken.html) shows 2018 being the driest summer sinds 1981. ]]> 2019-02-01 13:37:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326671178 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326675827 According to CITES Trade database, Belgium has imported "Pericopsis elata" or "African Teak":

]]> 2019-02-01 13:49:20 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326675827 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326679093 Overall, I enjoyed the course and learned a great deal. Thank you for that!
In restro-spect, I would have choosen a different layout for the padlet. I can't see how I can change this now. 
To find answers for theme 2 and 3, scroll to the right. 
Don't forget to scroll down in the differtent columns.
I've tried to keep a logical structure in line with the course layout.
Feel free to comment!]]> 2019-02-01 13:56:54 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/326679093 gert_laureys https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/328867525 The "Europe Wilderness" map is interesting here. Flanders is displayed as a very red (artificial surfaces) area]]> 2019-02-07 17:34:35 UTC https://padlet.com/gert_laureys/tt5zr73q4kc7/wish/328867525