INBO, the MigFoRest partner for Flanders, is busy with identifying good planting spots for the next winters. Working closely together with ANB, the Flemish agency for forest and nature management, INBO has initiated its planting sites selection in the Ten Haagdoornheide forest, in the municipality of Houthalen-Helchteren.
Houthalen-Helcheteren is part of the Kempen region, which is one of the MigFoRest 7 pilot territories in Belgium, France and Germany.
Briefed by experienced ANB foresters, Annelore and Hannes, two colleagues from INBO, walked through and through the forest to find the best planting spots, taking into account soil quality, tree cover, nearby trees, roads ...
The main objective is to diversify and enrich a forest dominated by pine by planting other species, including oak species (Quercus robur and Quercus petraea). The seedlings of these indigeneous oaks will come from local provenances, combined with provenances from Spain and Slovakia, implementing the assisted migration of provenances (also called assisted gene flow).
Annelore and Hannes have already identified more than 100 planting spots for the next winters. You see on the pictures below that they are using GPS trackers in their bagpacks to easily locate the planting sites in the future and to track and follow-up the MigFoRest trees efficiently. The work of preparing plantings can indeed be futureproof!
We keep you posted on the future plantings in the Kempen, as well as in our 6 other pilot territories.
