‘Fauna management’ programme

Wild boar (Yves Adams - Vildaphoto)

Details

Large mammals such as wild boar, roe deer, beaver and wolf play an important role in ecosystems. However, open space in Flanders is limited and intensively used by a variety of stakeholders, who often have different – and sometimes conflicting – interests. In order to strike a balance between ecological functions and social interests, targeted management is needed, in consultation with all stakeholders. This wildlife management can be both active and direct, and consist of additional measures that enable coexistence with wild animals in Flanders.

INBO develops knowledge about the management of wildlife and possible conflicts between humans and wild animals. We use this knowledge to inform the general public and specific stakeholders, but we also support government agencies such as ANB, VMM and VLM, which prepare policy and implement management, either in collaboration with stakeholders or entirely by third parties.

The animal species concerned are monitored in Flanders in various ways and by various operators. For a few rare species (e.g. partridge), INBO carries out this monitoring itself. We use numbers and distribution to monitor not only the status and trend of populations, but also the implementation of management. INBO analyses, reports on and disseminates this data. In this way, INBO provides an objective scientific basis for the planning, implementation and policy-making of wildlife management in Flanders.

INBO develops, evaluates and optimises new techniques for both the management and monitoring of wild animals. These include uniform monitoring protocols, (e)DNA, camera traps, citizen science and automation of data processing. We are also strongly committed to the development of transparent population and risk models that support policy decisions.

In order to take into account the social wishes of the various stakeholders, we consult intensively with them and conduct support surveys on the basis of questionnaires. We help solve management issues by focusing strongly on developing and supporting structured decision-making and adaptive management. In this way, we help identify and formulate concrete objectives and scenarios and provide practical and permanent advice.

Teams

• Genetic Diversity
• Wildlife Management and Invasive Species
• Nature & Society
• Management Team
• Biotope Diversity
• Species Diversity
• Own Capital INBO
• Nature Report and Advice Coordination

INBO Research theme(s)

• Wildlife management

Tags

• fauna