National Id
Belgium_01
Site name
Rehabilitation of heaths and mires on the Hautes-Fagnes Plateau
Summary
The project of rehabilitation of heaths and mires on the Hautes-Fagnes Plateau (Belgium). It consists in wetland restoration. Actions include restoring 1400 ha of peaty and wet habitats, abandoning spruce plantation for natural habitats on 630 ha and regenerating 400 ha of oak and birch forests.
Light or indepth?
In-depth
The in-depth description of the case study
cs-be-01-final_version.pdf
NUTS Code
Prov. Liège
RBD code
BEMeuse_RW
Transboundary
0
Data provider
Alexandra Rossi, ACTeon
Source(s)
Restauration des landes et tourbières du Plateau des Hautes Fagnes, Final report, covering the project activities from 01.01.2007 to 31.12.2012
Etude de l'impact socio-économique de la conservation et restauration de la nature dans les Hautes Fagnes
NWRM(s) implemented in the case study
Wetland restoration and management
Longitude
6.0833333
Latitude
50.5
Climate zone
cool temperate moist
Mean rainfall
1439
Mean rainfall unit
mm/year
Average temperature
6
Type
Case Study Info
Monitoring impacts effects
1
Performance impact estimation method
Catchment outlet
Application scale
Field Scale
Installation date
2007-01
Age
4
Performance timescale
> 20 years
Area (ha)
14000
Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha)
500
Design capacity description
The project was not designed for its water retention capacity. Although, about 8 km of drain were plugged and 23 ha of mires were submerged. We can evaluate the volume of water in mires and ponds between 120 000m3 and 360 000m3 depending on rain falls (the water retained in soil is not counted).
Constraints
For private and municipal areas, the adherence to the restoration project and to have their plot restored.
The period to realize works was very short (July to October). The short period of works required many enterprises available at the same moment.
Favourable preconditions
Half of the area of the site project is a national nature reserve including Natura 2000 areas (some deteriorated). It was an element in favor of the implementation of the project. It led to ambitious objectives (wide area). There also were areas under national property (but not included in natural reserve) was also favorable. Indeed, Walloon administration was the head project and wanted to realize a deep restoration.
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Comments Name
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Key issues Name Comments
Design land use change
Land use change type
Design authority
Authority type Role Responsibility Name Comments
Other
Initiation of the measure
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment General Direction
Other
Other
Natural Habitat and Agricultural Studies Department
Partner of the project, data collecting about environment watching
Other
Other
Nature and Forest Department
Partner of the project, forestry, hunting, fishing and nature conservation
Other
Monitoring
Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Natural Park management commission
Stakeholder involved in the project
Key lessons
Even if forestry activities were removed, there are still economic benefits linked to biodiversity and recreational use.
Financing mechanism
1
Financing mechanism information
A financial compensation was given to spruce plantation owners (who accepted to participation to the project) for the early cut down. A estimation of the value was realized based on Gembloux agronomic university data. The owner received the money got from the wood sail and an extra compensation (5k€ maximum per person). The average compensation was 2 080€. 177ha of private plantation and 113ha of public plantation were cut down and compensated.
Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments
Specific incentives for stakeholder involvement
main factor

Half of the area of the site project is a national nature reserve including Natura 2000 areas (some deteriorated). It was an element in favor of the implementation of the project. It led to ambitious objectives (wide area). There also were areas under national property (but not included in natural reserve) was also favorable. Indeed, Walloon administration was the head project and wanted to realize a deep restoration.
Attitude of relevant stakeholders
secondary factor
Existing technical standards
secondary factor
Successful coordination between authorities
secondary factor
Communication activities
secondary factor
Financing
Financing type Comments
EU-funds: LIFE+
Sub-national funds
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments
Other
main barrier
For private and municipal areas, the adherence to the restoration project and to have their plot restored.
Other
main barrier
The period to realize works was very short (July to October). The short period of works required many enterprises available at the same moment.
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments
Balancing different objectives
main driver
Heaths and mires are priority habitats types. They have an ecological interest at European level and they are rare and endangered at the Wallonian level. A regional plan to preserve heaths and mires has been implemented through LIFE projects (6 are completed and 2 are still running).
Availability of subsidies
secondary driver
Financing share
Financing share type Share Comments
European funds
50
National funds
50
Policy description
Biodiversity and gene-pool conservation in riparian areas
Self-regulation of water by filtration / storage / accumulation by ecosystems
Part of wider plan
0
Policy target
Target purpose
Oher Societal Benefits
Improved Biodiversity
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact
Policy wider plan
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Policy requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Direct benefits
10000000
Direct benefits information
The study of the socio-economic impact shows that the main impact is on biodiversity (assessed value 9,8M€/y) and recreational use (0,3M€/y).
Costs investment
2950928
Costs investment information
See below
Costs capital
2614178
Costs capital information
The main expense were destinated to works (wood cut down, grinding of the mires, scouring of the peatland, flooding, etc.)
Costs land acquisition
336750
Costs land acquisition unit
€ (total value)
Costs land acquisition information
Aquisition of 137ha
Costs operation maintenance
24243,5
Costs operation maintenance
A conservation plan †œAfter life† was designed. It defines all the maintenance tasks (mowing and grazing, maintenance of hydraulic structures, etc). The Agriculture and natural environment department and the Nature and Forest Department, Walloon administration, the natural park of the hautes fagnes, the friends of the fagnes association, the Patrimoine Nature, enterprises, farmers, communes and private owner are involved in the maintenance.
Costs total
4500300
Ecosystem improved biodiversity
1
Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity
Observations of biodiversity shows an increase of biodiversity in flora (Sphagnum, Carex, Eriophorum angustifolium, Juncus bulbosus) and fauna (black grouse, dragonflies, butterflies). The ecological connectivity was improved.
Ecosystem provisioning services
0
Ecosystem impact climate regulation
Impact on GHGs (net emissions and storage) including soil carbon
Information on Ecosystem impact climate regulation
The CO2 storage was estimated at 12 000 t/y.
Ecosystem impact Green House Gas (GHG) soil carbon
12000
Information on increased water storage
About 8 km of drain were plugged and 23 ha of mires were submerged. We can evaluate the volume of water in mires and ponds between 120 000m3 and 360 000m3 depending on rain falls (the water retained in soil is not counted).
Water quality overall improvements
N/A info
Soil quality overall soil improvements
N/A info