Vallei- en brongebied van de Zwarte Beek, Bolisserbeek en Dommel met heide en vengebieden
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General Description
The Zwarte Beek is one of the most important brook valleys in Flanders. The common snipe is its ambassador species. The military domain is a patchwork of inland dunes, dry and wet heathlands with peat, and pools surrounded by vast forests. The spoil heaps offer ideal viewpoints. The valleys of the Bolisserbeek, Dommel, and Grote Nete host some of the most beautiful nature reserves.
Identification
This Natura 2000 site is located in the northwest of the province of Limburg and is the largest in Flanders.
Landscape Description
On the Campine Plateau, you’ll find heathland and dry, predominantly pine forests. The heathland is vast and highly diverse. The brooks originate on this plateau. The Zwarte Beek is one of the most important brook valleys in Flanders. Along the brook, thick layers of peat support unique plant species. The variation between dry and wet, nutrient-poor and richer habitats provides exceptional biodiversity, including species like the common snipe. The valleys of the Bolisserbeek, Dommel, and Grote Nete are narrower but no less interesting. The spoil heaps of Beringen and Heusden-Zolder are home to unique flora and fauna not found elsewhere in the region.
Who is Active in the Area
Most of the Zwarte Beek is a nature reserve, managed by Natuurpunt (777 ha) and the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB), which manages 47.7 ha in the valley and 3,237 ha of military domain. The spoil heaps (207 ha) are also managed by ANB. In the Dommel Valley, the nature reserves De Ortolaan (ANB, 96.07 ha) and Dommelvallei (Natuurpunt, 195 ha) are located. The Mullemerbeemden, owned by the city of Peer, is managed by the non-profit Isis (19 ha). In the Grote Nete valley, Natuurpunt manages the Veewei nature reserve (22.6 ha); the rest of the valley is mainly privately owned. The heath and forest areas on the military domain have been managed by ANB since the protocol agreement with the Ministry of Defence – in consultation with them.
Click here for more information about National Park Bosland
Click here to go to the Bioblitz page of this Natura 2000 area.
Click here to install Obsidentify.
Photo: Pijnven - Bosland - Maxime Bervoets