Belgian IFBL Flora Checklists (1939-1971)

The data in IFBL 1, 2 & 3 covers all of the IFBL 1 km² flora checklists sampled between 1939 and 1971. About 10000 original lists corresponding with some 1 200 000 data representative of the former distribution of vascular plant species in Belgium, were digitised. The IFBL data is integrated in existing national and regional flora databases and will contribute to the realisation of regional Flora Atlases. The analysis of the digitised data will improve the possibilities to compare floral data over successive periods and will be of help in developing a strategy for reducing the costs and the length of new flora monitoring and mapping projects in the future. The Atlas of the Flora (Pteridophytes – Spermatophytes) of Belgium and Luxemburg (Van Rompaey & Delvosalle 1972) was the result of the first national flora mapping project (1939- 1971). Unfortunately, the data used to build it were only digitised at a synthetic level (units of 16 km²). To be able to investigate the changes in the flora between the first mapping period and the second (1972 up to now) in all its aspects, especially in relation to environmental factors (climatic, pollution, land use…), the original data was digitized, i.e. the field records on the flora (flora checklists) made within 1km² IFBL squares.