Monitoring flora and fauna
Together towards a comprehensive overview of biodiversity
With an ambitious monitoring plan and the help of volunteers, we keep a close eye on the animal and plant species living in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide.
When Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide was launched and profiled as a single nature reserve, it was decided that an area-wide plan for monitoring flora and fauna was essential. This plan saw the light of day in 2003 and was approved by the managers (Agency for Nature and Forests, Staatsbosbeheer and the Natuurmonumenten Association). This marked the start of intensive data collection.
MTB News from the park
MONA News from the park
Gaining and maintaining insight
The ambitious monitoring plan of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide includes many animal groups and plants. Not only birds, but also amphibians, reptiles, dragonflies, butterflies and plants are monitored. Other species, such as recently beetles, aquatic animals, bumblebees and moths, are the subject of additional inventories. Since 2004, many have been surveying about 1,000 ha annually for bird species, resulting in a report (made freely available).
Annually, dragonflies are also monitored along the fens, butterflies in hectare pens and reptiles along transects with plates specially selected for these species. Amphibians are sampled mainly in spring, by placing traps in the water. Every year, a new part of the 6,000-hectare Grenspark is completely inventoried.
Flora specialists also go out every year to monitor the important and typical vegetation types in the Grenspark. Thanks to the help of many volunteers, monitoring succeeds every year.
Would you like to get involved?
Are you interested, or would you like to get involved in monitoring flora and fauna in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide? Please send an email to Rudi Delvaux at grenspark.
Recent observations
Recent observations in the Grenspark can be found at waarnemingen.be/nl.