C28 Sonian Forest
A case from Brussels
General information on the Sonian Forest.
| Predominant forest community | 9120 – Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with holly (Ilex aquifolium) and sometimes also yew (Taxus baccata) in the shrub layer (Quercion robori-petraeae or Ilici-Fagenion) 9160 – Sub-Atlantic and medio-European oak or oak-hornbeam forests of the Carpinion betuli 91E0 – Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) |
| Main tree species | Fagus sylvatica (65 %), Quercus spp. (15 %), Pinus spp. (4 %), Acer spp. (4 %) |
| Altitude | 50–150 m |
| Soil type | Mainly dry loamy Luvisols (Tertiary calcium-rich sandstone substrate, covered with a 0.5–4 m thick layer of Quaternary niveo-aeolic loess deposits of the Weichselian glaciation) |
| Total forest area | 5000 ha |
| Main management types | Selective thinnings with the aim of producing high-quality wood. Clearcuts in certain stands or to create clearings |
| Volume | 400 m³/ha |
| Basal area | 28 m²/ha |
| Annual increment | 5–15 m³/ha (total 30 000–50 000 m³) |
| Annual harvest | 3–4 m³/ha (total 15 000–20 000 m³) |