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 and headwaters. The site catchments of the river Dender are one of the case studies. Some headwaters together with the valleys along two branches of the river Dender 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 headwaters of the river Dender the value of the source brooks will get special attention. Specific target conditions will be described and the possibilities for implementation will be evaluated.