Top 20 Lakes in Brussels

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

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

Bucolic place, best done in good weather...

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.

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.

The Sonian Forest is a complex ecosystem at the landscape level. At this spot, these wet grasslands and ponds are a ‘micro-ecosystem’, with many various species: in spring you will hear frogs singing and see quite a lot of insects as this is an open space with a lot of light. We could even go to a more granular level and look at a tree trunk as an ecosystem hosting various insect species and microscopic animals living in it.

The Red Cloister, or Rouge Cloître, is a former monastery complex on the outskirts of Brussels, surrounded by a beautiful nature reserve. This historic monastery from the 14th century is surrounded by forests, ponds and hiking trails, making it a popular spot for nature lovers, hikers and cyclists.