Species action plans

Several action plans for the conservation of endangered species have been initiated since the beginning of the legislature, especially for amphibians, reptiles and insects species, which are groups with a significant proportion of vulnerable species, due to their low dispersal ability and their very specific ecological needs.

• The action plan for the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) is being implemented. It helped complete the inventory of locations where it was present, identify, for most occupied sites, actions to be taken (completion of sites-sheets) and initiate various conservation actions that have enabled the creation of six state-owned nature reserves and the inclusion of the species in several planning projects.

• The action plan for the common European adder (Vipera berus) is also under implementation: after the completion of the inventory of occupied sites, for each of these sites, actions expected were examined at the level of each cantonment. A livestock facility has been set up for individuals coming from the rescue of endangered sites. Several acquisitions of plots for setting nature reserves have been justified by the presence of the species.

• The implementation of the action plan for the natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) is also partial. Given the larger number of sites (240), half of them have been the subject of a thorough review to determine the measures to be taken by the end of the year 2013; the other half will be reviewed in 2014. Many presence sites of the species are affected by a planning project (slag heaps, brownfields, careers), so actions often involve considering the inclusion of the species in these projects through mitigation and compensation measures.

• Three species of butterflies are also covered by a plan of action under the LIFE program dedicated to the preservation of these 3 species: the marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) (draft prepared), the violet copper (Lycaena helle) and the large copper (Lycaena dispar) (writing ongoing).

• Concerning the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), an action plan was drafted in 2005. Raising awareness of farmers of the area to the establishment of favourable crops has been conducted since then. Unfortunately, the few acres of favourable measures installed did not allow the maintenance of the small relict population, which is probably extinct.

• Concerning the black grouse(Tetrao tetrix), although no action plan has been drafted recently, several studies had been assigned to best identify the needs of the species and the main threats in Wallonia, to genetically characterize the population and to define the required conservation measures. The management plan of the State-owned Nature Reserve of the High Fens specifically took into account the presence of this species: all areas of presence of the species are primarily managed in its favour and predator control is applied. The opportunity of a possible introduction of individuals is currently the subject of discussion that will build on the IUCN criteria to identify risks and to assess success probability.