Chapter 7 - Belgium

Summary

The chapter describes the main nature conservation challenges in Belgium, its main policy responses and actions, and their achievements and lessons, primarily over the last 40 years. This covers the country’s natural characteristics, habitats and species of particular importance; the status of nature and main pressures affecting it; nature conservation policies (including biodiversity strategies), legislation, governance and key actors; species measures (e.g. the national bee plan); protected areas and their management; general conservation measures (e.g. management of High Nature Value farmland and use of agri-environment schemes, forest management, and habitat restoration); nature conservation costs, economic benefits and funding sources; and biodiversity monitoring. Likely future developments are also identified. Conclusions are drawn on what measures have been most effective and why, and what is needed to improve the implementation of existing measures and achieve future nature conservation goals.