Forest Reserve "The Heath"

There are two types of forest reserves: integral forest reserves and targeted forest reserves. In integral forest reserves, humans do not intervene. For example, fallen trees are left lying. Such a pristine forest reserve is ecologically particularly valuable. In a targeted forest reserve, humans, or in this case the manager (ANB), do intervene. You are walking through a targeted forest reserve here. Most forests are managed according to the high forest system, where trees grow into an upright forest. If you were to view this from the air, you would see exactly a blanket of leaves. As a result, there is little low vegetation because it simply receives too little light. In this targeted forest reserve, the medium wood system is being restored, a system that was very popular here in the past. Medium wood is a forestry practice that was applied until the early 20th century and consists of the combination of a coppice layer with high forest. This form of forest management was very popular throughout the centuries because it allowed for regular firewood harvesting as well as the harvesting of heavy timber at the same time.

Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos