The Argenteau Forest

Due to its size and fragmentation, Belgium does not have vast areas of land that can be converted into additional forests. In the context of global warming and the current erosion of biodiversity, it is therefore essential to take action on existing forest areas in order to ensure their long-term conservation and maintain the ecosystem services they provide.
The Argenteau Forest (145 ha), a popular peri-urban forest and a veritable green lung between Liège (BE) and Maastricht (NL), is one of these forests that must be preserved, particularly the Natura 2000 stands threatened by global warming, such as the beech forest.
In 2023, Sylva Nova, a technical expert serving European forests (www.sylvanova.eu), acquired 35 hectares of this forest to carry out silvicultural work dedicated to biodiversity and landscape conservation and carbon sequestration, while taking into account the coexistence with visitors to this space, which is open to the general public.
Since the acquisition, multiple actions have been implemented to preserve and optimise the site’s biodiversity, as confirmed by certifications: FSC forest management and Wildlife Estate label acquired, and FSE Recreational Services currently being audited. In addition, two Sylva Nova employees are TGBS (The Global Biodiversity Standard) assessors.
Sylva Nova practises forestry based on continuous cover mixed forestry, in order to promote the resilience of stands and preserve the landscape. Its interventions are therefore selective and focused on producing high-quality wood and promoting future stems. This management approach ensures that dead wood is left standing and on the ground, and that trees providing microhabitats are designated.

Primäre Produktions-gebiete

• Thinning using horse-drawn equipment to protect the soil and promote natural regeneration;
• Diversification of tree species throughout the forest: small clusters of conifers and scattered deciduous trees;
• Designation of an ageing cluster;
• Identification of 65 trees with microhabitats to be preserved (presence of dead branches, climbing plants, cracks in the bark, cavities, woodpecker holes, etc.);
• Planting of hedgerows and rows of poplars for certain birds and bats;
• Planting of tiered edges at the interface between open and forest environments;
• Conservation of wetlands:
  o Restoration of 400 metres of banks severely eroded by the floods of 2021 and 2024;
  o Fixing of banks by planting poplars and willows;
  o 10-metre buffer zone around the Sainte Julienne river in which no farming is carried out;
• Installation of camera traps to observe diurnal and nocturnal wildlife and analyse the data collected: badgers, domestic cats, roe deer, squirrels, martens, jays, tits, woodpeckers, pigeons, foxes, wild boars, etc.;
• Creation of two orchards composed of fruit tree species.

• Continuous work on thinning (selection of seedlings) and pruning (selection of future poles) – visiting each plot concerned every three to five years;
• Formative pruning and trimming;
• Continuation of the identification of habitat trees;
• Maintenance of open areas on a rotational basis, with the aim of preventing these environments from closing in, without resorting to overly regular mowing;
• Regular coppicing of willows and poplars intended to maintain the bank;
• Control (not eradication) of potentially invasive species (acacia, red oak);
• Continuous monitoring of wildlife using camera traps;
• Continuing efforts to connect habitats by maintaining edges or planting additional sections of hedges;
• General maintenance of existing paths to discourage the public from creating new routes through the plots;
• Monitoring of game damage and protection (Trico, sheep’s wool, etc.) of young plants if necessary.