Belgium - Overview

Remark:

Please note that this country profile has been prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information provided in the NBSAP and national reports, but has not been reviewed by the Party concerned.

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Belgium is divided into 3 major areas: the Lower Belgium in the North, flat and dominated by agriculture and animal breeding; the Middle Belgium in the Center, dominated by urban areas, industries and some agriculture; and the Upper Belgium in the South, with wooded plateaus and some cattle rearing. There are 22,800 documented animal species of an estimated 35,000 total, whereas there are between 17,000 and 18,500 plant species, of which 20 to 25% are not yet documented... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Natura 2000 sites cover approximately 12.6% of the country whereas natural and forest reserves cover 1.1% of the territory. Natura 2000 sites do not benefit from strict conservation rules like natural reserves, but help to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity.

Percentage of Forest Cover

In the Flemish region, 8-10% of the area is forested, but the forests are very fragmented. More than half of the forests are less than 100 ha. In the Wallon region, 32% of the area is forested with most of it considered productive areas

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Belgium has undertaken many initiatives to meet the 2010 biodiversity target, including the designation of Natura 2000 sites and the current establishment of marine protected areas, which will cover 7% of the Belgian North Sea surface. A sustainable master plan is being prepared for the Belgian marine zone, of which phase 1 and 2 are developed and adopted... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

In the Flemish region, an ecological network of 125,000 ha and an interweaving area of 150,000 ha was designed. Nature Objectives Plans for these as well as for the Natura 2000 sites will be elaborated by 2008. The Flemish community, together with NGOs, will be making the acquisition of 3,000 ha/year of nature areas to be recognized as reserves... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Some support to indigenous and local communities exists, mainly through NGO development cooperation, but essentially in education and institutional strengthening of local organizations. Some of the ongoing projects supported by the Flemish Fund for Tropical Forests are particularly emphasizing this aspect. The Belgian Development Cooperation indirectly supports, through NGO’s, a large number of local associations (peasants, indigenous, youth organizations, etc... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Dr. Patrick Grootaert	CBD Primary NFP
Mr. Jozef Buys	Resource Mobilization FP
Dr. Steven Dessein	GSPC NFP
Dr. Marie-Lucie Susini	GTI NFP
Dr. Hendrik Segers	SBSTTA NFP
DG Environment	ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Han de Koeijer	CHM NFP, CHM Informal Advisory Committee
Dr. Els Martens	Protected Areas NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Ms. Lucette Flandroy	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP
Dr. Didier Breyer	BCH NFP