PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Bogs and fens are threatened by nutrient loading, overgrowth by trees and scrub and inappropriate hydrology. In addition, over the last 150 - 200 years, peat extraction and drainage have reduced the total area of intact blanket bog in the region. According to a recent Danish national assessment, the conservation status of raised bogs (7110*) and alkaline fens (7230) is in danger of further deterioration in the coming years. During the planning process for the management of Natura 2000 areas in Denmark in the period 2010-2015, special attention is being paid to ensuring that these habitat types are restored.
OBJECTIVES
This project primarily targeted the restoration and expansion of Annex I habitat type raised bogs (7110*) in the eastern part of Denmark. This wet, terrestrial habitat type is in an unfavorable conservation status in Denmark, as reported in the latest Habitats Directive Article 17 report. The project also targeted the management of the Annex II species, Leucorrhinia pectoral at the Horreby Lyng Natura 2000 network site, as well as other habitat types (7230 alkaline fens and 7210* calcareous fens) connected with the core habitat type.
A major part of the project would be implemented on privately owned land, and consultations with private landowners were conducted prior to the LIFE funding application, to ensure there was broad support for the project among these landowners. The clearing of vegetation and the changing of drainage systems in order to raise water levels on private areas can only be implemented with the agreement of landowners. Each sub-project had been carefully prepared to include landowner interviews and the necessary technical surveys in order to present realistic and viable actions. The landowner consultations were also necessary in order to negotiate compensation.
RESULTS
The LIFE: Eastern Bogs project team restored and expanded raised bogs habitat (7110*) in the eastern part of Denmark, over approximately 95 ha of land, primarily in Horreby Lyng on land owned by Guldborgsund Municipality.
Overall, the project’s actions resulted in:
- Economic compensation for 353 ha of conservation easements, to improve active raised bogs habitat.
- Protection of open natural conditions, with clearing of vegetation implemented on approx. 50 ha; clearing was completed in locations that are anticipated to be so wet that regrowth will be minimal, though some areas were cleared several times.
- Soil scraped on 7.5 ha to ensure better hydrological conditions.
- Protection of favourable hydrological conditions for habitat types within an area of 324 ha, including specifically to develop active raised bogs on 231 ha.
- Inoculation of almost 2 ha with peat mosses, with some localities inoculated several times.
- Protection of habitat for the large white-faced darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) in 17 locations by managing/clearing existing ponds and creating new ponds.
- Ensuring grazing on 16 ha and hay cutting on 22 ha, including the majority of the area with alkaline fens habitat (7230).
- Establishment of a ‘nature room’, as well as walking tracks, a brochure, information signs and digital information (a website and an app).
As both project areas lie within Natura 2000 sites, a Natura 2000 plan with its associated action plan represents the overall strategy to achieve a favourable conservation status of the habitats and species that are the basis for the site’s designation. The project team developed a management plan for each subproject, with a 10-year perspective, which was accepted as an annex to the Natura 2000 action plan. The management plans are also the foundation of the After-LIFE Conservation Plan.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
