Other services under this category
Natural pest and disease control​
Description​
Since the 1970s, alternatives to rigorous chemical pesticides have been sought in the pursuit of clean and sustainable agriculture. In addition to the refinement of chemical agents (less broad-spectrum, less persistence and careful application), biological pest control is also an alternative. Natural enemies are used to combat harmful organisms. In order for nature to work as a pest controller in agriculture, humans must ensure good preconditions. The natural enemies of the pest species must be able to survive in the environment of the crop to be protected. They must be able to stay there, reproduce and hibernate and there must be sufficient food all year round.
The economic significance of biological pest control can be visualized in various ways. The most obvious thing to do is to determine the difference in production yield when pests are controlled chemically or biologically. Naturally, the difference in costs between the two methods must also be taken into account, not only for the farmer, but also for the environment (costs of groundwater pollution, etc.) (from: Melman and van der Heide, 2011). This benefit is closely intertwined with agricultural production.
There is currently no method available in the Nature Value Explorer.
Nursery habitat​
Description​
Nursery habitats are natural locations where young fish can grow up. They are often shallow waters where there is rich vegetation and where the fish can protect themselves against the current and predators. Typical nurseries are found along the banks of meandering rivers, in shallow water ponds in polders and wetland areas, in flood areas, in calm tributaries of rivers such as a cut-off meander or side canals, etc. Nursery habitats increase biodiversity because natural prey-predator relationships are maintained and the reproductive opportunities for fish are improved. Improving the spawning and nursery function of public waterways together with other measures to perpetuate fish stocks could eventually lead to a revival of commercial river fishing in Flanders. However, little research is currently being done in this regard.
In addition, an improvement and increase in the number of spawning grounds can lead to the rebuilding of fish populations in canals and ponds such that fish stocking for sport fishing is no longer necessary (Jacobs et al. 2010).
There are no quantitative and monetary valuation methods available for this service.