Restoration of natural habitats in the Lomme river bassin and in surrounding areas

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Lomme river basin is located in the Libin high plateau in the centre of the Ardennes in Belgium’s Walloon region. The Libin plateau sits between the Saint-Hubert and Croix-Scaille plateaux, both of which have benefited from LIFE restoration projects. The Lomme river basin is made up of a network of peaty and wetland habitats included in the Habitats Directive: sphagnum birch woods, alder woods, bogs, heathlands, transition mires, tall-herb communities of humid meadows, watercourse fringes and associated habitats such as dry heaths, mountain hay meadows and Nardus strica pastures. These peat bogs shelter rare species such as Boloria aquilonaris, Somatochlora arctica, Dactylorhiza sphagnicola, and Erica tetralix. The area is designated as a Special Area of Conservation, but the habitats and associated species had been threatened by habitat fragmentation as a result of spruce plantation, drying of soils and re-colonisation by purple moor grass. In addition, forestry production was causing problems in relation to soil structure, water quality, and biodiversity.

OBJECTIVES

The LIFE LOMME project aimed to restore 230 ha of peaty and wetland habitats. It would purchase 40 ha and make compensation payments to land-owners so that they definitively abandoned forest production on a further 120 ha. The spruce and pine plantations on 100 ha would be cut and selective cutting and clearing was planned for a further 70 ha.

Hydrology of the different sites would be restored by blocking 20 km of drains, digging some 40 ponds, building 1 km of dikes and 10 culverts. In addition some 20 ha of deciduous forest were to be restored within fenced enclosures. Long-term management of the restored areas would be assured by putting in place the necessary procedures, material and infrastructure for regular mowing, cutting, grazing and coppicing with the help of local farmers. Improving connectivity between habitat features and sites would reduce fragmentation, as well raise awareness among local communities and stakeholders as to the wider value of these restored areas. A wide range of other endangered species and habitats were also expected to benefit from these comprehensive restoration actions.

RESULTS

The project restored 430 ha (180 ha more than the initial objective [172%]) and hydrological networks within the area have been significantly improved. This leads to a rapid transition of some areas into transition mires.

Some 310 ha were brought under conservation management control and 26 new nature reserves (RND or ZHIB) were established. Other quantitative results include:

Abandoning silvicultural speculation on 231 ha;

Removing resinous trees on 201 ha and controlling regeneration of resinous trees on 56 ha;

Improving hydrology levels by filling-in 24 km of drains, establishing 6 water circulation structures, digging 96 ponds and building 1.5 km of mineral dykes;

Removing topsoil from 15 ha;

Mowing actions on 30 ha;

Establishing 21 fenced enclosures for broad-leafed trees on 23 ha.

The introduction of grazing and mowing on more 100 ha was achieved through collaboration with 11 local farmers and installing 19 km of fences. Awareness-raising action led to the installation of 15 welcoming boards and 5 information boards as well as general leaflet being published in 4 languages and other publications about the project’s work.

Overall sustainability will be aided by the positive relationships and joint management agreements that were put in place by the project between local stakeholders (including foresters, hunters and conservation bodies).

Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).

The project restored 430 ha (180 ha more than the initial objective [172%]) and hydrological networks within the area have been significantly improved. This leads to a rapid transition of some areas into transition mires.

Some 310 ha were brought under conservation management control and 26 new nature reserves (RND or ZHIB) were established. Other quantitative results include:

Abandoning silvicultural speculation on 231 ha;

Removing resinous trees on 201 ha and controlling regeneration of resinous trees on 56 ha;

Improving hydrology levels by filling-in 24 km of drains, establishing 6 water circulation structures, digging 96 ponds and building 1.5 km of mineral dykes;

Removing topsoil from 15 ha;

Mowing actions on 30 ha;

Establishing 21 fenced enclosures for broad-leafed trees on 23 ha.

The introduction of grazing and mowing on more 100 ha was achieved through collaboration with 11 local farmers and installing 19 km of fences. Awareness-raising action led to the installation of 15 welcoming boards and 5 information boards as well as general leaflet being published in 4 languages and other publications about the project’s work.

Overall sustainability will be aided by the positive relationships and joint management agreements that were put in place by the project between local stakeholders (including foresters, hunters and conservation bodies).

Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).