•Institute of Nature Conservation
•Research Institute for Knowledge Systems (RIKS)
•Nature Division, Environment Administration, Flanders
EcoVisie Decision Support System: a tool for ecosystem management
Willy Huybrechts & Guy Engelen
EcoVisie Decision Support System: a tool for ecosystem management
Willy Huybrechts & Guy Engelen
•In Flanders: total nature area is growing with an evolution to larger nature units
•Chances for nature development are high in floodplains (social, ecologic)
•Floodplains: abiotic conditions, especially hydrology, are important for nature
BackgroundBackground
Questions in the field
•Where can/should nature area be developped, where are possibilities less;
•Which type of nature should be conserved, developped or restored;
•How this nature should be managed;
•What should be the boundary conditions (e.g. hydrology)
BackgroundBackground
Vision
1.A combination of models and expertise to explore the potentials of floodplains (knowledge)
2.Based on this knowledge: make choices to come to a vision spatial distribution of ecotopes (with the support of a DSS)
3.Implementation in the field: • Development of nature area• Apply management schemes
ApproachApproach
Input for EcoVisie Input for EcoVisie •Description of ecotope types
(‘natuurtypen’) • ‘ecotope groups’
(‘natuurtypegroepen’) : ecotope types with the same abiotiek preferences but different management
•Potential distribution of ‘groups’ under certain abiotische scenario’s
Characteristics of ecotope type• Origin and succesion• Environmental conditions (groundwater, soil,…)• Occurence in Flanders
•Flora-vegetation•Fauna•Management•Nature Value
Ecotope typesEcotope types
• Species
Ecotope typesEcotope types
ID Naam kort Naam lang Naam wetenschappelijk
GroepsmeGroepI
D
UFK Rode lijst categorie
Internationa
al belan
g
OpmerkOrganism
e
512 ACER_PSE Gewone esdoorn Acer pseudoplatanus
1 9 Nee 513 ACHILMIL Gewoon duizendblad Achillea
millefolium
1 10 Nee 514 ACHILPTA Wilde bertram Achillea
ptarmica 1 7 Nee
515 ACORUCAL Kalmoes Acorus calamus
1 5 5 Nee
NatuurTypeID SoortID TypischeSoort DominanteSoort CodominanteSoort21 512 Ja Neen Neen22 512 Neen Neen Neen23 512 Neen Neen Neen1 513 Neen Neen Neen2 513 Neen Neen Neen3 513 Neen Neen Neen4 513 Ja Neen Neen
• their relation with ecotopes
Ecotope Groups Ecotope Groups
1 - kleine zeggenvegetatie - verruigde kleine zeggenvegetatie - mesotroof elzenbroek
Kleine zeggenvegetatie Verruigde kleine zeggenvegetatie
Verruigde kleine zeggenvegetatie
Wilgenstruweel Oligotroof elzenbroek
1a1 - verruigde kleine zeggenvegetatie - mesotroof elzenbroek
Grote zeggenvegetatie Grote zeggenvegetatie Grote zeggenvegetatie Wilgenstruweel Mesotroof elzenbroek
2 - dottergrasland - moerasspirearuigte - mesotroof elzenbroek
Dottergrasland
Kamgrasland met moerasrolklaver
Moerasspirearuigte Wilgenstruweel Mesotroof elzenbroek
2a1 - moerasspirearuigte - mesotroof elzenbroek
Dottergrasland Zilverschoongrasland Moerasspirearuigte Wilgenstruweel Mesotroof elzenbroek
3 - RG glanshavergrasland - brandnetelruigte - ruderaal elzenbos
RG glanshavergrasland Typisch kamgrasland Vochtige ruigte Braamstruweel Vochtig berken-eikenbos
3a1 - overstromingsgrasland RG glanshavergrasland Zilverschoongrasland Vochtige ruigte Braamstruweel Vochtig berken-eikenbos
4 - natte heide - berkenbroek
Vochtig heischraal grasland (Natte heide)
Vochtig heischraal grasland (Natte heide)
Natte heide Gagelstruweel Berkenbroek / Vochtig berken-eikenbos
5 - droge heide - berken-eikenbos - eiken-beukenbos
Droog heischraal grasland Droge heide
Droog heischraal grasland Droge heide
Droge heide Bremstruweel Berken-eikenbos Eiken-beukenbos
NT-groep
gekarteerdvegetatietype
Intensief beheer
maaibeheer begrazing
kort cyclisch beheer(5 à 10 jaar)
lang cyclisch beheer(10 à 15 jaar)
nulbeheer
(Vallei van de Zwarte Beek)
Vegetation management
Intensive extensive
Abiotics (soil, hydrology, inundation)
Ecotope GroupsEcotope Groups
Ecotope group 2 of Zwarte Beek: moist conditions without inundation
ManagementMapped vegetation types
Fen meadow (Calthion palustris)Tall-herb fen (Filipendulion)
Mesotrophic alder carrYearly mowing regimefen meadow (Calthion palustris)
Grazing
Dairy pasture
Cyclic mowing (short 5 to 10 years)
tall-herb fen (Filipendulion)
Cyclic management ( long 10 to 15 years)
Salix carr No management
Mesotrophic alder carr
Potential Distribution Ecotope GroupsPotential Distribution Ecotope Groups
The Demer Floodplain (with improved hydrologic conditions, no inundations)
Fen meadow
group
Arrhenatheretum grassland group
Siliceous grassland group
•Process information (maps and tables)
•Facilitate acces to this information for the decision maker
•Present the results of choices that are made in the process (interactive)
•Assist in developing different scenario’s for an area•Offer tools to evaluate scenario’s
DSS-functionsDSS-functions
Possible Applications • Prepare visions on nature in
Floodplains • Planning of nature development
projects• Design of nature management schemes• Assist in discussions about balance
between wishes (planners) en possibilities (managers in field)
• In discussions with other sectors (agriculture, forestry, ….)
DSSDSS
Ecosystem vision
Ecosysteemvisie
Selection of abiotics Design Abiotics
Maps with potential ecotope groups
Maps and tables abiotict
Studiegebied
Floodplain (study area)
Ecosystem vision
Ecosysteemvisie
Selection map based on abiotics
Design map
Maps potential ecotope types
Maps and tables abiotics
Selection map based on management
Drawing map management Design Management
Maps existing management (if available)
Maps and tables management
Studiegebied
Floodplain (study area)
Selection map based on abiotics
Design abiotics
Maps potential ecotope groups
Maps and tables abiotics
Selection map based on management
Drawing map management
Design management
Maps existing management(if available)
Maps and tables management
Ecosystem vision
Ecosysteemvisie
Selection map based on zoning
Zoning maps,Habitat and Bird
directives.
Zoning maps
Studiegebied
Floodplain (study area)
Studiegebied
Floodplain (study area) Ecosystem vision
Ecosysteemvisie
Selection map basedon abiotict
Design Abiotics
Maps potential Ecotope groups
Maps and tables Abiotics
Selection map based on zoning
Zoning maps,Habitat and Bird
directives
Zoning Maps
Selection map based on management
Drawing map management
Design Management
Existing management(if available)
Maps and tables abiotics
Mapsand tables target species
Maps and tables management costs
Maps and tables appreciation
Map and tables nature value
Selection map basedon abiotict
Design Abiotics
Maps potential Ecotope groups
Maps and tables Abiotics
Selection map based on zoning
Zoning maps,Habitat and Bird
directives
Zoning Maps
Selection map based on management
Drawing map management
Design Management
Existing management(if available)
Maps and tables abiotics
Ecosystem vision
Ecosysteemvisie
Maps and tables target species
Maps and tables management costs
Maps and tables appreciation
Map and tables nature value
Studiegebied
Floodplain (study area)
PrototypePrototype DSS EcoVisie DSS EcoVisie
– Technically good functioning instrument •Decisions are translated quickly in results interactive use
– Integrates environmental conditions and management
– Financial aspects are considered (costs, subsidies)
– Can be applied in any floodplain, if necessary input available
PrototypePrototype DSS EcoVisie DSS EcoVisie
– For some applications ecological knowledge is insufficient•Relation species - ecotopes•Evaluation Nature Value (ecotopes, vision)
– Some functions are not considered •Spatial relations between ecotopes •Spatial relations between ecotopes and infrastructure
•Time aspect for ecotope development•Feasability of scenario’s