All European member states are subjective to Natura2000 conservation goals in order to protect the habitat of important European habitats and species. These goals gave rise to a complex search for zones that must be protected from these habitats in the highly fragmented landscape of Flanders.
VITO developed an optimization model called ‘ZoekZoneModel’. The ZoekZoneModel searches for the ecologically most suitable locations, within the framework of the legislation and taking into account socio-economic parameters. The ZoekZoneModel is used in a participatory process with a large number of stakeholders. The model is therefore constantly being refined in consultation with the stakeholders.
The ZoekZoneModel has evolved into a complex mathematical spatial model due to the many preconditions of different stakeholders that were taken into account. The model provides objective results which offers a solution by optimally taking into account all defined preconditions. The model results are maps showing the most optimal locations for all habitats. These maps are the basis for further practical elaboration in the field.
In collaboration with the Research Institute for Nature and Forest and the Nature and Forest Agency
2015