The professor makes his call on Tuesday in response to a newly published report from the European Forest Institute, which discusses biodiversity in European forests. The report takes a closer look at the management of forests with a view to increasing biodiversity. Thirteen researchers from ten different European countries participated, including Bart Muys and Koenraad Van Meerbeek from KU Leuven.
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Belgium does not have primeval forests such as can be found in Romania or Poland, for example, but there are parts that have remained forest area since the mid-eighteenth century. “These forests are home to rare plant and animal species,” says Muys. “But a large part of it is outlawed: the forests are still colored in on regional maps as residential or agricultural areas. As a result, in theory they could just be cut down.”
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The forests that Professor Muys speaks of are spread all over the country. The professor mentions several areas in South Limburg or Brabant as examples.
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The report also makes several recommendations to increase biodiversity in forests. One of the most important pieces of advice is that there should be better monitoring. Furthermore, according to the scientists, there is still room to collaborate with the private sector. “For example, a system could be devised whereby forest owners receive subsidies if they take measures related to biodiversity,” says Muys. “There is also a financial incentive.”
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