De Liereman, Nature reserve between Oud-Turnhout and Arendonk, Belgium.
De Liereman is a nature reserve located between two Belgian towns and showcases a range of different habitats. The landscape displays wet and dry heathland, shrubby willow vegetation, oak-birch forests, and pine plantations across its terrain.
The area was inhabited by early hunters thousands of years ago, as evidenced by stone tools discovered there. In later centuries, local farmers used the land for sheep herding, peat harvesting, and collecting soil material for fertilizer.
The name Liereman comes from a medieval word meaning marshland, reflecting the wetlands that once dominated this area. Visitors can still see these sodden landscapes that define the reserve today.
The area is best explored on foot, with several marked walking routes guiding you through different sections. A visitor center provides a good starting point from which you can access the various parts of the reserve.
The reserve is home to rare bird and insect species that are difficult to find elsewhere in the region. These special creatures benefit from the varied habitats created by the patchwork of heathlands, wetlands, and forests.
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