Kesterbeekvallei eco-hydrological study (EVINBO)

The Vlaamse Landmaatschappij is currently working on the land development plan (LIP) Meigemheide - Linkebeekvallei in Beersel and Linkebeek. Within the perimeter of the plan is the habitat directive area of the Kesterbeekvallei, a valley fed by numerous mineral-rich springs and source brooks. The area is also characterised by excessive atmospheric deposition of nitrogen.
The Vlaamse Landmaatschappij and the other land managers in the area need more hydrological knowledge for the scientific foundation of:
- well-considered recovery measures for the nitrogen remediation policy,
- realistic targets and meaningful design measures in the land use plan,
- adequate nature management plans for the Kesterbeekmoeras and the Beersel connecting forests.
Through an ecohydrological study, we determine the bottlenecks and potentials for nature development. We map the current state of the source brooks, of the seepage-related vegetations and of the fish fauna. Based on this analysis, we make proposals for recovery measures and answer a number of specific design and management questions.