Area-specific groundwater regimes in the context of PAS restoration measures (EVINBO)
Details
Nature management plans, drawn up in the context of the implementation of the Habitats Directive, among other things, formulate area-specific nature conservation objectives. In order to achieve these objectives, abiotic preconditions must also be met.For a significant number of habitat types and species, hydrological conditions are also important. More than half of the habitat types and various habitat species in Flanders depend on groundwater or surface water, and more than 80% of the habitat sub-areas contain a significant area of habitat that depends on groundwater or surface water. The availability of nutrients and the degree of acidification in these habitat types are strongly determined by hydrological processes. To such an extent that other restoration measures against the effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition are of little use if the hydrology is not restored first. The restoration of groundwater regimes can also contribute directly to nitrogen reduction by stimulating denitrification.
The groundwater and surface water regime that is desirable and necessary for the concrete realisation of nature objectives at a site requires a tailor-made approach. Environmental standards can already offer guidance, but these still require area-specific implementation.
The research also supports environmental impact assessments, as it significantly helps to assess the impact of an activity with a hydrological impact on the realisation of nature objectives in the field of hydrology.
| Status | Running |
|---|---|
| Actual start/end date | 01/01/2026 - 31/12/2027 |
Teams
INBO Research theme(s)
- Protected nature
- Water