Biological Validation Map and Natura 2000 Habitats Map – State 2016

The Biological Measurement Map (BWK) is a uniform inventory and evaluation of the entire Flemish territory using a set of mapping units representing vegetation, soil cover and small landscape features (line and point shaped elements). The presence of important fauna elements has also been taken into account. The revised BWK, version 2, seeks to meet more requirements and needs compared to the 1 version, both in terms of content and accuracy. This version of the BWK also includes the Natura 2000 habitat types. In Flanders, there are currently 47 Natura 2000 habitat types listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. In addition, 15 regionally important biotopes have also been defined in Flanders. These are biotopes that are similar to habitat types in terms of biological values and importance for biodiversity, but are less threatened at European level. This map gives the best available information 2016 on the distribution of the Natura 2000 habitat types, the regionally important biotopes and the mapping units of the Biological Validation Map. This could be a simplification of reality on the ground. At all times, the real situation in the field applies to the policy and legal framework.