More than 8,000 hectares of new forest
Flanders has increased its woodland by 8,262 hectares in the last two years.
Total area of woodland in Flanders on the rise
The figures comes from the Boswijzer (Woodland Indicator), which was introduced in 2011. It uses aerial photos that measure the amount of green and height of flora to provide a reliable reading of the extent of Flanders’ woodland.
Every Flemish province saw an increase, but none more than East Flanders, where woodland went up by 10.3% or 2,333 hectares. Antwerp had the largest area of new woods, meanwhile, at 2,798 hectares.
“The results are proof that the Flemish government is making efforts to see more woodland in Flanders,” Schauvliege said. “Although this is only the second measurement, and clear trends can only be determined on the basis of a longer-term outlook, the results are hopeful for the environment ministry.”
Two independent environmental organisations, Bos+ and Bond Beter Leefmilieu (Union for a Better Environment) contested the ministry’s figures, however, calling for the maps and figures used to be made public.
“Minister Schauvliege appears to have succeeded, after only two years and without any extra budgetary resources, in creating 10 times as much new woodland as the Netherlands did,” said Bert De Somviele, director of Bos+, which advocates for more forests. “That would be the biggest turn-around in woodland policy in recent decades. All previous analyses suggest things have not been going so well for woodland areas in recent years.”
