2023-06-18 12:44:00
”Compared to other European cities, Brussels is spoiled”, launches Alain Paquet, head of biodiversity monitoring in the Brussels Region, for the Natagora Studies department. Biodiversity is highly developed. To tell the truth, some species have even been making a comeback for regarding thirty years. ” The peregrine falcon was threatened. He had even completely disappeared in Belgium. And then he came back thanks to the protective measures. There are fifteen couples for nineteen municipalities. There is no place in the world where the density of peregrine falcons is so high. It is a particularity of Brussels”, explains the scientist. The peregrine falcon is a high-flying hunter. If it settles so densely in the capital, it is in particular thanks to the large vertical buildings. “It nests in the heart of the city, even near the Grand-Place”notes Alain Paquet.
In the forest of Soignes, another species of raptor develops. The goshawk. “We have the highest density of goshawks, there is no such density in the Ardennes, or anywhere else in Europe. Twenty-five couples, almost in town, it’s incredible”, he enthuses. Foxes and weasels are also seen downtown. And then, wild orchids bloom, like the purple orchid. “If you leave a very small door open to nature, it comes back quite quickly. It is quite encouraging.”
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A contrasting picture
All is not rosy, however. A section of Brussels’ biodiversity is collapsing. New architecture, the renovation of old buildings and the replacement of cornices are all causes that contribute to the drastic reduction of emblematic urban species. Among these species are the house sparrow, the black swift, the black redstart and the starling. That’s not all. Insectivorous species are also declining rapidly. The reason: the disappearance of open spaces such as wasteland. “These are open, warm environments, with a herbaceous layer and flowers. There are many insects there, but they are urbanized one following the other”, adds the scientist from the Natagora association.
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The disappearance of wasteland
”Birds flying over Brussels descend into wasteland. It’s a bit like small islands. The animals, not having much choice, settle in these real little refuges.” This is the case, for example, of migratory birds. Like many, Alain Paquet opposes the planned construction project on the Josaphat wasteland, in Schaerbeek. ” We allow ourselves to nibble all the time on nature, it is an adjustment variable. At the worst moment of the climate and biodiversity crisis, green areas are being concreted in Brussels. Despite all the alarmist speeches”, protests the expert, who brings scientific facts and statistically solid studies to support his fight.
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