IMIS

Availability of space, both on land as at sea (cfr. blue growth), is a major problem in the Belgian coastal zone resulting from high a population density, changes in consumer behaviour and environmental changes. The ecosystem services (the benefits people obtain from the ecosystem) concept allows to find compatibilities between socio-economic use and nature values. Maps of the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and habitats were produced to get insight into the socio-economic use and nature values of the Flemish coastal zone, as a basis to develop a long-term vision for a healthy coastal ecosystem. The quantification and mapping methodologies are described in Part I of the report ‘Ecosystem vision of the Belgian coastal zone’.

The terrestrial habitat map was created based on the following map layers:
1. Vegetation surveys carried out under PINK ("Permanent Inventories of Nature Reserves on the Coast", Provoost 2014). Used datasets from PINK: 'Dheye', 'Zwin_2012', 'BaaivanHeist', 'Zwinduinen', 'Simli2014', 'TerYde_2014', 'Doornpanne', 'DePanne1'.
Provoost S. (2014). Ecological base monitoring of the coastal ecosystem. Report of the INBO: INBO.R.2014.2025629. 40pp.

2. Remote sensing data from the project "Vegetation mapping through Digital airplane recordings, applied to dynamic dune areas, swallowing and barking (DIGIKART) "
(Provoost et al. 2008)
Provoost S., Kempeneers P., Houthuys R., Vanommeslaeghe J., Deronde B. (2008). Vegetation mapping by means of Digital plane recordings, applied to dynamic dune areas, swallow and swirls (DIGIKART). Flemish Ministry of Mobility and Public Works - MDK - Coastal Division. 108 p. + attachment

3. Map with distribution of NATURA2000 habitats

4. Biological Evaluation Chart (Vriens et al., 2011).
Vriens L., Bosch H., De Knijf G., De Saeger S., Guelinckx R., Oosterlynck P., Van Hove M. & Paelinckx D. (2011). De biologische waarderingskaart. Biotopen en hun verspreiding in het Vlaanderen en het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest. Announcements from the Institute for Natural and Forest Research. INBO.M.2011.1, Brussels. 416 p.

5. Land use and soil management map for Flanders from the ECOPLAN project, 2014 (available for download: www.ecosystemdiensten.be)


The Marine Habitat Map was created based on the following map layers:
1. EUNIS (European Nature Information System, EEA 2013)

2. Leading benthos communities on soft substrate (Degraer et al., 2008)
Degraer S., Verfaillie E., Willems W., Adriaens E., Vincx M. & Van Lancker V. (2008). Habitat suitability as a mapping tool for macrobenthic communities: an example from the Belgian part of the North Sea. Continental Shelf Research, 28 (3), 369-379.

3. Predicted Prevention of Shelter Worm Reefs and Gravel Beds (Degraer et al. 2009)
Degraer S., Braeckman U., Haelters J., Hostens K., Jacques T., Kerckhof F., Merckx B., Rabaut R., Stienen E., Van Hoey G., Van Lancker V. & Vincx M. ( 2009). Study on the compilation of a list of potential habitat directives in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Final report by order of FSP Environment, Marine Environment. 93 pp.