Den Rooy (BE)
Filters
LOCATION + COORDINATES
Lage Rooy, Hoogstraten (BE)
Bog restoration at 51.462139, 4.812833 decimal coordinates
CATEGORY
Demonstration sites for infiltration restoration through forest conversion.
Demonstration sites for permanent natural water retention
DESCRIPTION SITE
The site Den Rooy, a reserve of 42 ha, included a degraded bog relict, pine plantations and decaying poplar plantations. It lies within the catchment of the river Mark. The bog relict was degraded due to a drainage ditch and reduced infiltration from pine plantations (that used to serve the now closed down mining industry).
In the infiltration area, several ditches were filled in so that the rainwater is no longer excessively drained from the area and the higher grounds can recharge with water during rain periods. As a result, more water is retained in the infiltration area and the potential difference between the high grounds and the depression is greater, which increases the seepage pressure in the bog.
In the depression, the central ditch was filled with the water-retaining materials bentonite (or swelling clay). Finally, part of the pine wood plantation in the infiltration area was restored to heathland and deciduous forest edges (containing a.o. Hazel and Linden trees) in a corridor connecting two heathland areas, to increase the local groundwater supply and increase connectivity.
Further restoration of a network of different bog relicts in the direct region of the site, will help counter both droughts and floods in the area.
MEASURES
- pine plantations were restored to bog, heathland and deciduous forest edge- valuable trees as oaks and structure rich pines were conserved (5% of the total surface)- a drainage ditch was filled up to restore hydrology of former bog
TIMING
2019 - 2022
BUDGET
€ 609 676 in TOTAL for Heiberg, Visbeek, Den Rooy and Griesbroek demonstration sites
PARTNERS
Natuurpunt
CONTACT
Pictures by:
Wim Verschraegen (banner of Den Rooy fen)
Katherine Vande Velde (picture of restored Den rooy fen in fall)