Selection and Delimitation of the Study Area
The study area for the landscape analysis was chosen because of its close proximity to Brussels. It is one of the nearest open landscapes that can be reached from the south of Brussels, where I live. It is a 25-minute bike ride to a varied and typical Pajottenland landscape, with the Zenne River meandering through fields, forests and tree rows. Beersel Castle serves as a backdrop and completes the picture.
The study area covers 1.07 km2 and is delimited by several clearly defined features. The E19/R0 highway and the Zenne River to the west, together with railway line 26 (NMBS, 2025) to the east, form the most recognisable boundaries.
From the aerial photo, two different landscapes can already be distinguished: the southern part of the area consists of large open fields, while the northern half is much more diverse, with patches of forest, agricultural land and housing. The study area is also relatively accessible, with walking trails and agricultural roads providing sight lines to nearly every part of the area.