Top 20 Lakes in Brussels

A solid wood bridge crosses the Horseshoe Pond, which is thus divided into two parts.

Any time of year... here with goldenrod. Bosvoorde pond, Vuursteenweg near IS. Just review it.

As a walking park and gateway to the Sonian Forest, the Red Monastery forms a whole of architecture, forest and nature reserve with a very great wealth. The centuries-long presence of one of the largest Augustinian priories in Brabant naturally left its mark on the landscape. But also the nature of the soil and the abundance of humid zones still make it a place with a magical aura today. Location Rood Klooster Rokloosterstraat, 7 1160 Oudergem Website More information on: http://www.rouge-cloitre.be

Forests are central to the fight against the triple global crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. They cover nearly a third of the Earth’s land surface and are home to the vast majority of terrestrial biodiversity. Despite efforts to halt deforestation and restore degraded areas, forest cover continues to shrink. Since the end of the last great ice age, about 10,000 years ago, 57% of the Earth’s habitable land was covered by forests. Over the past 10,000 years, a third of the world’s forests have been lost, an area twice the size of the United States. Half of that loss has occurred in the past century. Forests are essential to combating climate change. They contain 662 billion tons of carbon, more than half of the world’s total carbon stock in soils and vegetation. Societies derive significant benefits from forests and are heavily dependent on them. It is estimated that more than half of global gross domestic product is heavily dependent on what ecosystems provide. The forestry sector contributes more than USD 1.52 trillion to global gross domestic product and employs 33 million people. Yet many people living close to forests do not benefit sufficiently from them. Although 75 percent of rural residents live within 1 km of a forest, they have little right to those forests. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of all forests are state-owned, while 80 percent of people live in extreme poverty in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on forest value chains and trade in early 2020. Most sectors have recovered quickly, but the risk of future pandemics remains. Forest management is well-positioned to play a key role in a green recovery.

The Sonian Forest is a complex ecosystem at landscape level. In this place, wet grasslands and ponds form a ‘micro-ecosystem’, with many different species: in spring you can hear frogs croaking and see many insects, because this is an open space with a lot of light. We can even look at a more detailed level, for example at a tree trunk as an ecosystem where different species of insects and microscopic animals live.

Wetlands face major challenges from the triple global crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, but they are also part of the solution. Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems on Earth. They provide refuge for wildlife, support 40% of the world’s biodiversity, clean up pollution and store significant amounts of carbon. Wetlands, such as bogs and peatlands, are the silent heroes in the fight against the climate crisis because they store more carbon than any other ecosystem. For example, peatlands contain twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests. In addition, wetlands absorb excess water and prevent flooding and drought elsewhere, which is crucial for communities adapting to a changing climate. Water bodies are a key ally in our fight against biodiversity loss. More than 140,000 species – including 55% of all fish species – depend on freshwater habitats for survival. Freshwater species are important to local ecosystems as they provide food and income for people and play a key role in controlling flooding and erosion. Yet, species in freshwater habitats are becoming extinct at a faster rate than species on land or in the sea. Nearly one-third of all freshwater biodiversity is at risk of extinction due to invasive species, pollution, habitat loss and overexploitation. To slow the pollution crisis, we need to protect and restore wet and humid habitats. Wetlands can improve water quality by removing pollutants from surface waters by trapping sediments, removing nutrients. They act as buffers or sponges that can absorb, store and process pollutants. They have enormous potential to address the triple crisis. By strengthening wetland protection, we are investing in people’s health and well-being. Food security, water security and health benefits estimated at over USD 47 trillion per year are possible through better wetland management. To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, we need to protect and restore wetlands. Coastal wetlands store carbon up to 55 times faster than tropical rainforests. Wetlands contain about 12 percent of the world’s carbon stock. Draining them would release millions of tons of CO2 and other harmful substances, such as arsenic. Wetlands also provide additional resilience to extreme weather events for local communities.

The Sonian Forest is a complex ecosystem at the landscape level. Here, the wet meadows and ponds form a "micro-ecosystem", with many different species: in spring, you will hear the frogs singing and see a large number of insects, because it is an open space with lots of light. We could even go further and consider a tree trunk as an ecosystem housing various species of insects and microscopic animals.

How can wetlands help address the triple global crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution? Wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. As well as being a haven for wildlife, they are home to 40% of the world’s biodiversity, filter pollution and are major carbon stores. Wetlands, which include marshes and peatlands, are the unsung heroes of the climate crisis. They store more carbon than any other ecosystem: peatlands alone store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests. Wetland ecosystems also absorb excess water and help prevent floods and droughts elsewhere. They are crucial in helping communities adapt to a changing climate. Aquatic ecosystems, teeming with species, are also a key ally in the fight against biodiversity loss. More than 140,000 described species – including 55% of all fish – depend on freshwater habitats for their survival. These species are important to local ecosystems as sources of food and income, and for their key role in combating flooding and erosion. Yet freshwater species are disappearing faster than terrestrial or marine species. Nearly a third of freshwater biodiversity is threatened with extinction due to invasive species, pollution, habitat loss and overexploitation. To slow the pollution crisis, we must protect and restore wetland habitats. They can improve water quality by removing pollutants from surface waters through sediment trapping, nutrient removal and detoxification. They act as buffers or sponges that can absorb, store and treat pollutants. They have enormous potential to address the current triple crisis. Raising ambition for wetlands means raising ambition for people: their health and livelihoods. By improving wetland management, we can achieve food, water security and health benefits estimated at over $47 trillion per year. To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, we must protect and restore wetlands. When located on coasts, wetlands sequester carbon up to 55 times faster than tropical rainforests. Wetlands contain about 12% of the global carbon stock. When we drain them, we release millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and other substances of concern, such as arsenic. Wetlands also provide local communities with greater resilience to extreme events. Source: UN Environment Programme