An Ecosystem Management Plan (EMP) will be developed for different catchment areas in Flanders. These projects are an instrument of the Flemish Administration to optimize the ecological quality and nature value of valley-ecosystems. The valley of the Grote Nete is one of the case studies.Parts of the valley are selected as study area for a detailed vegetation survey. Based on the processing of field data, a vegetation typology will be worked out. Future conditions of nature will be described indicating on which site which nature type has to be protected or developed.The EMP starts from the present condition of nature combined with a reference condition (mostly based on the past) and taking into account the ecological potentiality. For the Grote Nete additional abiotic data of nutrients in the environment (ground- and surface waters) will give an overview of trophic conditions in some areas. These data will help us to define potential nature types. Specific target conditions will be described and the possibilities for implementation will be evaluated.