Environment

Belgium's Soignes Forest, under pressure amid the pandemic

Brussels (Belgium), Feb 3 (EFE) - (Camera: Leopoldo Rodríguez) With almost 4,400 hectares, the Soignes Forest is not only a green lung of Brussels, but has a rich biodiversity and an ecological balance that makes it unique, which led it to become a World Heritage Site by Unesco, but now it is suffering amid the pandemic.The proximity of this particular forest to the urban core of the Belgian capital attracts many visitors who have found in it a refuge to escape the effects of lockdown, but it has also put its flora and fauna under heavy pressure. FOOTAGE OF AND STATEMENTS BY STÉPHANE VANWIJNSBERGHE (DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS AND NATURE OF THE BRUSSELS REGION), JOAO AND ANNE.Translations:STÉPHANE VANWIJNSBERGHE-"The Forest of Soigne has a size of 4400 ha but if we include the surrounding parks we reach 5000 ha. It is located at the gates of Brussels, less than 10 km from the center and the Grande Place de Bruxelles. Due to its location, it is a forest that has a very strong social role, both for the fact of welcoming the public and for the conservation of nature". "It is a forest that is under very, very strong pressure. There is always a lot of pressure, but we are seeing a significant increase in public pressure on the forest. People need to relax because of confinement measures and increased telecommuting. The public needs to go for walks in the parks and gardens of Brussels, including the forest. Our role is to welcome this public while respecting the rules". "Due to the increase in the public, there are a certain number of people who go off the trails to try to find a bit of calm in the forest or simply to get to the parking lot, which has led to a deterioration in the vegetation and the creation of numerous clandestine, unofficial trails. Another damage we have seen in spring is in the reproduction of animals. For example, the dogs that are not tied up have disturbed birds that were installing their nests". "Right now we are studying how the beech forest will react to climate change. The forecasts are not very good, so our management is focused on diversifying the types of trees in order to maintain a forest of forest quality and capable of hosting a vast nature and biodiversity". "The great characteristic of this beech cathedral is the absence of undergrowth, which allows a very deep visual penetration. With its large rectilinear columns, without any branches for more than 20 meters and with the intersecting tops, when there is a break at the level of the top, the sun's rays evoke the light coming through a stained glass window". ANNE - "It is very well organized and has signs that allow us to make circuits".