Posters 39-50: Flemish Impulse Programme for Nature Development

Introduction

VLINA gives a serious stimulant to the research on nature conservation and improvement and development of the habitat of endangered of vulnerable species in Flanders. VLINA started 5 years ago and gave a financial impulse to innovative ecological and human-scientific research projects which had a maximum length of 3 years (see table). The total budget for the VLINA program was set on 500 million BEF or € 12.39 million. During the five years a total of 42 research projects was financed.

Table: The number and the length of the projects

Based on a critical evaluation of existing scientific results from current research programs in Flanders as well as in Europe, the Board of Directors of the VLINA formulated the gaps in information for improving the ecological diversity in Flanders. The selected topics with a particular interest for the Flemish context were the following.

1. Indicators of biodiversity and regulation in relation to human influence. We need simple and objective indicators for monitoring the ecological value of habitats and changes over time and over space. We also need to know more on the impact of human activities on the maintenance and survival of species and populations, especially the endangered ones, in Flanders.
2. Ecological aspects of nature conservation. More knowledge should be acquired on how to improve the management of our nature reserves as a better buffer and to obtain higher values of the environment. Practical links to other land-use forms such as farming and forestry are priority issues.
3. Habitat fragmentation. Due to the intensive use of land in Flanders, fragmentation of habitats is a serious problem. Research on genetic loss in small and isolated populations and how to improve passage and connection ways is of great interest.
4. Ecohydrological aspects. In many cases semi-natural ecosystems are linked to artificial hydrological dynamics of periodic flooding. More information is needed on the relationship between soil and water properties on one hand and nature quality on the other.
5. Sociological aspects of nature conservation. The values associated with biodiversity are not easily expressed in terms of economic value but are the result of the importance we assign to it. Which conflicts exists between the different actors and how can we improve the respect for nature in Flanders? The perceptions and attitudes of different social groups have to be studied. What is the effect of the different regulations on nature quality? What is the effect of nature-education? Does there exist an 'optimal mix' of instruments for nature conservation?

Researchers
The VLINA projects were carried out by the Flemish research institutes, the Institute for Nature Conservation and the Institute for Forest and Wildlife Management, universities, NGOs and others.

Organisation
The Board of Directors of VLINA is trusted with the scientific guiding of the Impulse Programme. This Board of Directors works in close collaboration with the operational VLINA-cell. This cell is responsible for the daily administration of the Impulse Programme. Every project has a steering committee, which is responsible for an optimal follow-up of the project.

Research networks
One of the objectives of VLINA was to establish new research networks. All projects are a collaboration of several VLINA-partners. They sample, process and interpret the data together. They also have some collective publications.

Availability
The summaries of all VLINA projects can be found in the GMO-database and on the website of the Nature Division (www.mina.vlaanderen.be/wiedoetwat/aminal/taken/natuur). The final reports of the VLINA projects can be asked at the operational VLINA-cell.