Belgium – Survey services – ECOHYDROLOGISCHE STUDIE KIKBEEK en SBZ MECHELSE HEIDE

The reason for initiating the ecohydrological study are the stability problems in the Kikbeek pool, due to which the water level increases in relation to achieving the maintenance objectives cannot currently proceed. To investigate the effects of higher pool levels (than the current ones) in the Kikbeekgroeve on the surrounding groundwater-dependent vegetation is the subject of the ecohydrological study. Additionally, it is investigated which additional measures for rewetting in the habitat directive area the Mechelse Heide, Ziepbeekvallei, Neerharerheide and Asbeek are necessary to achieve a climate-resilient system. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact on groundwater levels and the boundary conditions from an ecological perspective due to water level increases in the Kikbeek pool and from hydrological restoration measures in the Mechelse Heide, Ziepbeek, Neerharerheide and Asbeek. This should lead to the maximisation of the restoration and maintenance of the groundwater-dependent vegetation. The objective is to achieve climate-resilient system restoration, without compromising the critical infrastructure (such as the motorway E314) and the stability of the Berg quarry and the Kikbeek pool in the long term. The design of hydrological and ecological model predictions must serve to investigate scenarios for water level increases in the Kikbeek pool and to develop and evaluate the creation of wet nature in the habitat directive area of the Mechelse Heide.