By Abbas Nazil
A new report by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) has revealed that climate change is increasingly affecting the natural environment in Flanders, with rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and stronger storms posing severe risks to ecosystems and wildlife.
Titled Habitats and Species in a Changing Climate, the report examines the period from 2015 to 2025, assessing how various habitats and species have responded to the mounting pressures of global warming.
It highlights significant vulnerabilities among key species groups such as butterflies, wild bees, dragonflies, and amphibians, which are showing measurable changes in their life cycles, distribution, and population dynamics.
According to the study, these shifts are altering ecosystem balance, threatening biodiversity, and putting pressure on conservation efforts.
The research also explores phenological changes, where species’ seasonal patterns, such as breeding or flowering, are increasingly out of sync with their environments.
Beyond documenting risks, the report emphasizes the need for proactive adaptation measures to strengthen the resilience of natural habitats and forests.
Strategies such as restoring wetlands, increasing tree diversity, and creating ecological corridors are cited as crucial steps to help species adapt to changing climatic conditions.
The INBO underscores that the findings are not only vital for scientists but also for policymakers, land managers, and conservation organizations shaping the future of Flemish nature.
The publication consolidates the latest scientific insights and provides practical knowledge to support biodiversity management under climate stress.
Lead researcher Maud Raman and her team call for urgent collaboration to safeguard ecosystems before irreversible damage occurs.
The institute reiterated its commitment to supporting government and community actions through evidence-based research and continuous monitoring of environmental trends.
