Hydrology and ecology: how Natura 2000 and Military use can match

Authors

  • Katia Nagels Agency for Nature and Forest, Flemish Government, Koningin Astridlaan 50 bus 5, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
  • Uwe Schneidewind Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium Universiteit Gent, Department of Soil Management, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • Mustafa El-Rawy Minia University, Department of Civil Engineering, Minia 61111, Egypt
  • Okke Batelaan Flinders University, School of the Environment, Adelaide, Australia
  • Piet De Becker INBO – Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Brussels, Kliniekstraat 25, 1070 Brussels, Belgium

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/EQ.2015.014

Keywords

ecohydrology, wet heath, groundwater flow modeling, monitoring, Natura 2000 aims and military use

Abstract

The military domain of Houthalen is a shooting area and also a protected Natura 2000 site, with an alternation of dunes, fens and heathlands. Already years ago, it was determined that the groundwater table is lowered by digging deep canals. Intensive consultation and study work (ecohydrological modeling) has shown that recovery is possible, taking into account the military use. Specific attention was paid to the accessibility through the fire roads and the water level in the fens. Recovery is started up, as well as a monitoring programme.

References

Vandeberghe R., Laurijssens G., Vandekerkhove K. & De Blust G., 2010, Integrated forest and nature management plan for the Shooting range Helchteren (INBO)

van Wirdum G., de Louw P.G.B., Rozemeijer J.C., van der Aa N.G.F.M., Giesen Th.G.& Geurts M.H.J., 2004, Feasibility study on nature conservation and nature development in the source areas of the west flank of the Campine Plateau, NITG 03-236-B, TNO, Utrecht.

Batelaan O., El-Rawy M., Schneidewind U., De Becker P. & Herr C., 2012, Calculation of measures for restoration of humid heath vegetations on the shooting range of Houthalen-Helchteren via groundwater modeling, VUB, Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering and INBO (Bestek nr LNE/ANB/LIM- 2010/10).

Ecological Questions

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Published

2015-07-14

How to Cite

1.
NAGELS, Katia, SCHNEIDEWIND, Uwe, EL-RAWY, Mustafa, BATELAAN, Okke and DE BECKER, Piet. Hydrology and ecology: how Natura 2000 and Military use can match. Ecological Questions. Online. 14 July 2015. Vol. 21, pp. 79-85. [Accessed 3 July 2025]. DOI 10.12775/EQ.2015.014.

Issue

Vol. 21 (2015)

Section

Articles

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