How the landscape was shaped

The western part of the Grenspark is partly bounded by the steep edge of the Brabantse Wal, with the polders at its foot. To the east are the higher sandy soils with heathland, fens and forests. To understand how the landscape became what it is today, we go way back in time.

2 million years ago: sand and clay

Two million years ago, the entire Grenspark region was still under the sea. One million years ago, the sea retreated, creating a coastal zone into which large rivers - the predecessors of the Meuse and Rhine rivers - flowed. The water deposited layers of clay and sand that still form the subsoil today. This process continued for a long time and the weight of the soil increased, so much so that the deeper rock subsided into the North Sea. As a result, southern Belgium became higher and Flanders and the southern Netherlands levelled off. Meuse and Rhine shifted their course to the north-east, The Scheldt sought its way to the sea in a north-westerly direction and scoured out a striking steep ridge in the clay layers: the Brabant Wal.

Ice ages and sandstorms

Ice ages and warmer periods followed each other. During the last Ice Age (70,000-15,000 years ago), powerful northerly winds brought a layer of sand that spread over the landscape like a blanket. At the end of the last ice age (15,000-10,000 years ago), strong westerly winds also blew large quantities of sand over the steep edge of the Brabant Wall. This sand - from the Scheldt plain and the largely dry North Sea - rolled eastwards as far as Kalmthout. The result was a large dune massif, with dunes up to 40 metres high! The Grenspark lies entirely within this dune area and thus acquired its typical height differences.

Fens and primeval forests

In some parts of the area, the powerful westerly winds blew out large dune pans down to the groundwater table or impenetrable clay. Then a warmer and more humid climate made its appearance and the dune pans filled with rainwater: thus fens like Groote Meer, Putse Moer and Stappersven came into being.

After the ice ages it got warmer, plant growth increased. Deciduous forests appeared in drier places, the wet lowlands formed into peat. Slowly, vegetation captured the drifting sand, so the dunes stabilised. The picture at the beginning of our era? Dense, green deciduous forests of oak and birch on high sandy soils and alternating extensive peat bogs and open water in the lower parts of the area.

Discover the landscape biography of the Grenspark

Want to know more about the origins and geology of this special landscape? The landscape biography tells the story of the Grenspark: from the formation of the natural subsoil to the way people have used, cultivated and shaped the area over the past millennia.

The landscape biography is there for everyone professionally or out of interest involved in the landscape: residents, farmers, nature managers, designers and policymakers. The document provides insight into the rich landscape heritage and helps to better understand and make sustainable use of this heritage.

Read the landscape biography online
Curious about the content of the book? You can now consult the landscape biography digitally for free via this link.

Or get a printed copy
A physical copy is available at tourist information offices in the region.