PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Natura 2000 site, Ober- und Mittellauf der Mur mit Puxer Auwald, Puxer Wand and Gulsen, covers an area of 1 309 hectares. Long stretches of the Upper River Mur originally consisted of a forked riverbed, but engineering measures have narrowed the bed to its present shape with an average width of around 20 m. The entire river, however, was not targeted but such action, and thus much of the path of the main riverbed has been preserved.
Such unsystematic river regulation also led to the widening of the river channel in some places, allowing the formation of typical river structures such as gravel islands. Due to this development, the Upper River Mur still contains meanders with slip-off and undercut banks, sediment bars and islands and well-structured stretches with a rich variation of wide and deep areas. Along with the connectivity with backwaters and riverine forests, these factors support the river’s rich diversity of species and habitats. The Upper Mur is one of the most ecologically valuable stretches of a large river in Austria.
However, the narrowing of the river to its present main channel and, consequently, the deepening of the riverbed, has caused the River Mur to be disconnected from the landscape and has led to the loss of river-specific habitats and dynamism. Many riverine forest habitats (pools, oxbow lakes, etc.) and alluvial forests have disappeared.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the project LIFE Murerleben in the Austrian region of Styria was to maintain, improve and regenerate the characteristic river landscapes of the Upper River Mur in the long term as a prerequisite for maintaining rare and endangered species of fauna and flora. Specifically, the project aimed to:
RESULTS
The project Murerleben achieved all its objectives, helped by the purchase of 9.46 ha of land for nature conservation purposes and the enlargement of existing Natura 2000 site by 5.5 ha. New side arms of the River Mur were created, totaling 3.9 km in length, while several ponds for amphibians with a total surface of 15.520 m2 were excavated. Bank reinforcement structures along the River Mur were partly removed on a length of 2.8 km and the development of alluvial forests was initiated on 21.6 ha. The populations of target species, such as common sandpiper, kingfisher, yellow-bellied toad, Danube salmon and bullhead, will benefit from the project measures in the long term, along with the targeted habitats.
The project represents a good example of flood prevention, demonstrating the benefit of giving rivers more space and that river restoration measures and flood protection are two sides of the same coin. Reconnected side arms and new alluvial forests increased flood plain areas and added a socio-economic benefit to the project. Floods regularly cause great damage to villages and infrastructure in the valley of the River Mur. A stretch of the River Mur was restored near the village of Pöls. Here shallow waters and gravel banks now offer the opportunity to enjoy recreational activities and the chance to learn more about the environment. More than 30 press releases were produced during the project and six press conferences were held. In addition, several innovative school projects were launched.
The After-LIFE plan recognises the need to maintain the ponds for amphibians and dragonflies, given that ponds tend to silt up and sludge must be removed every 10 years or so. The management of meadows will be covered by the Austrian agri-environmental scheme ('ÖPUL') until 2020, while post-project monitoring will be financed by the associated beneficiary, the nature conservation department of the Styrian government.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
The project Murerleben achieved all its objectives, helped by the purchase of 9.46 ha of land for nature conservation purposes and the enlargement of existing Natura 2000 site by 5.5 ha. New side arms of the River Mur were created, totaling 3.9 km in length, while several ponds for amphibians with a total surface of 15.520 m2 were excavated. Bank reinforcement structures along the River Mur were partly removed on a length of 2.8 km and the development of alluvial forests was initiated on 21.6 ha. The populations of target species, such as common sandpiper, kingfisher, yellow-bellied toad, Danube salmon and bullhead, will benefit from the project measures in the long term, along with the targeted habitats.The project represents a good example of flood prevention, demonstrating the benefit of giving rivers more space and that river restoration measures and flood protection are two sides of the same coin. Reconnected side arms and new alluvial forests increased flood plain areas and added a socio-economic benefit to the project. Floods regularly cause great damage to villages and infrastructure in the valley of the River Mur. A stretch of the River Mur was restored near the village of Pöls. Here shallow waters and gravel banks now offer the opportunity to enjoy recreational activities and the chance to learn more about the environment. More than 30 press releases were produced during the project and six press conferences were held. In addition, several innovative school projects were launched.
The After-LIFE plan recognises the need to maintain the ponds for amphibians and dragonflies, given that ponds tend to silt up and sludge must be removed every 10 years or so. The management of meadows will be covered by the Austrian agri-environmental scheme ('ÖPUL') until 2020, while post-project monitoring will be financed by the associated beneficiary, the nature conservation department of the Styrian government.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
