Monitoring local fauna is one of INBO's major tasks. We do short-term inventories as well as long-term monitoring of specific regions to assess the status of Flemish animals. These data are often collected with the help of volunteers.

The data also form the basis of strategies designed to protect species or species groups, in which a multi-species approach is recently gaining importance. 

INBO also strives to monitor the distribution and numbers of introduced and invasive animal species, to advise on adequate management (i.c. control) based on the monitoring data. We evaluate management measures when they are executed and adjust the approach if necessary.

Based on our data we help policy through formulating advice on MER’s (Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting nature), conservation, both national (VEN, IVON) and international (NATURA2000), or legislation concerning sustainable use and/or damage prevention.