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Transformations in river management that manifest diverse forms of (increased) human interference, evidenced by hydraulic ingenuity and associated ecosystem disturbance, are usually explained as successive water regimes. Researchers then analyse factors that triggered regime shifts and discuss (un) successful attempts by policymakers to juggle conflicting interests. Few studies, however, centre on medium-sized rivers that are nevertheless characterised by fragmented policies in which multiple stakeholder parties have a say. We discuss, through a close reading of archival records, the evolution of post-war water management in the Demer valley, Flanders. We conclude that agricultural interests prevailed until the 1970s, notwithstanding an early exploration of the valley's industrial and recreational potential, whereupon nature organisations put forward an alternative approach that led to changing policies in the early 1990s. These conclusions do not fit into the reportedly global transferable, river management model proposed by Wolf et al.* By showcasing the Demer's unique management developments and emphasising the individual aspects of the essentially rural Demer valley, we scrutinise the model's generalisability and argue that it is especially valid for industrialised rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although diversity and abundance of arthropods have been shown to decline globally, they are underrepresented in nature conservation efforts and policies. Belowground taxa are especially neglected, despite their key roles in ecosystem functioning. Terrestrial isopods are litter and soil dwelling and important contributors to litter decomposition and nutrient cycling among others. Yet their conservation status has hardly been assessed. We compared recent extensive citizen science data with historical records to assess a Red List status of the terrestrial isopods in Flanders (northern Belgium) according to the IUCN international standards. We calculated distribution trends (IUCN criterion A) and distribution ranges (IUCN criterion B) for all native species. In total, 34 species of terrestrial isopods occur in Flanders of which one is regionally extinct and ten are threatened. Threatened species are associated with old deciduous forests, coastal habitats, rivers and streams and ancient anthropogenic habitats. Implications for conservation: Terrestrial isopods are important decomposers. Assessment of their regional Red List status can set conservation priorities for this rarely assessed trophic level, and facilitate developing local nature conservation and management policies that are complementary to other species groups. Additionally, they share their habitats with a number of threatened species characteristic of old farms and small-scale farming systems. Therefore, this list will be of importance for the assessment of the conservation value of cultural heritage and old farming practices and their associated biodiversity, which is rarely considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The restoration of riverine ecosystem services and floodplain landscapes has become an important tool in climate mitigation, however, it is often unclear what landscape a restoration is (or should be) referring to. Little is known moreover, about long-term transitions in historic valley land use or how they echo in contemporary perceptions of floodplain landscapes. Also in densely populated Flanders (in the north of Belgium), where floodplains are quickly losing their natural functions, policymakers are actively in pursuit of climate change adaptation strategies and sustainable valley management. We present the results of a GIS-based reconstruction of historical land use in three Flemish river valleys from 1771 to 2002 and compare them to changes in regional land use. We find that while grasslands initially and to a vast extent covered our selected floodplains, the latter were by the mid-19th century cultivated for agricultural production, in line with a global expansion of arable land and regional demographic growth. Also forest cover in the studied river valleys grew exponentially from the late 19th century, unmatched by regional forest cover. After the Second World War, a denser road network, more area that is built-up and forest plantations visually contributed to valley compartmentalisation and the perception of a closed landscape. Varying soil textures and drainage levels or the (in)ability to manage them properly accounted for different(ly) (timed) land use changes between the studied floodplain areas. Regional changes in historic land use were of lesser importance. • GIS reconstruction and analysis of long term LULCC in Flemish floodplains. • Environmental and socio-economic conditions explain different LULCC trajectories. • Intensity and timing of LULCC varied greatly between floodplain and region. • Output GIS analysis relevant for floodplain reconstruction - valid reference maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A region with demographic growth, faces shrinkage in certain places. • For Flanders, shrinkage manifests itself on the scale of sub-municipalities. • The opportunities of shrinkage in growth differ from shrinking cities and regions. • Including the risk and the potential of shrinkage can benefit a planning for growth. Demographic transitions have an impact on the landscape and urban development. However, when planning for demographic growth, the concept of demographic shrinkage is seldom considered. Consequently, many opportunities for qualitative landscape interventions and urban development remain unnoticed. This article proposes a conceptualization for demographic shrinkage within the context of the growing region of Flanders, Belgium. Demographic statistics, indicators for the risk of shrinkage, and local opinions from the region are cross-referenced with the shrinking cities discourse. Our research shows that Flanders is shrinking in some parts, has a risk of shrinking in many more areas, and should shrink in strategic places from a resilience perspective. Contrary to demographic shrinkage in other parts of Europe and the world, which covers vast territories and results in urban decline, demographic shrinkage in the region of Flanders manifests itself very locally and on a small scale. The research suggests introducing the use of "shrinkage in growth" to implement its specific opportunities and overcome the possible negative effects of shrinkage. The concept of shrinkage in growth implies a systemic understanding of different scales and an integrated spatial practice that goes beyond the strategy of constructing more housing in order to attract more inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The centenary of the Great War has amplified the voices that advocate the preservation of remaining war traces in the Belgian landscape. Modern technologies, such as Lidar, have recently highlighted that much war heritage is still preserved either at or below the surface, including mine craters, shell holes and trenches. However, these traces are largely hidden from the human eye. Less is known about the impact of the Great War on the overall landscape properties and the changing experience of the rural landscape. In this study, changes in land use and landscape structure since the mid-19th century were reconstructed for four study sites in Flanders that experienced the Great War differently. Historical maps and aerial photography were combined to produce time series of landscape properties, time depth maps and landscape fragmentation and diversity metrics. The interpretation of changes in land use and landscape patterns reveals that the Great War and post-war land recovery did only mark a break for some landscape elements. For two study sites along the Belgian front that were intensively degraded by the war activities, no significant difference in landscape evolution could be identified compared to two study sites that hardly suffered during the Great War. For the most part, long-term socio-economic developments eroded the significance of the war as a short-term cataclysmic event. • World War I was not a rupture, but a catalyst for long-term landscape changes. • While land use remained unaltered, closed (bocage) landscapes opened up after WWI. • Methods to study land use and visibility can be applied to historical contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]