PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The "Unterer Niederrhein" is a wetland and pasture area containing, amongst others, a variety of river and alluvial habitats. The area holds RAMSAR and SPA designations, which helps to protect its floodplain complex, where priority bird species breed and winter. Alterations to the river’s natural conditions are considered to have contributed to a lack of spawing grounds and breeding habitats for several fish species, such as the houting, Coregonus oxyrhynchus). Breeding and resting habitats for several rheophilic and migratory fish species listed in the Habitats Directive (Alosa alosa, Cottus gobio, Aspius aspius, Romanogobio belingii and Barbus barbus) have also declined and conservation measures are required to help restore the river ecosystem in support of its bird and fish species.
OBJECTIVES
The main project objectives focus on improving the following NATURA 2000 sites ‘NSG Rheinaue Bislich-Vahnum, nur Teilfläche’ and ‘Rheinfischschutzzonen zwischen Emmerich und Bad Honnef’. These improvements will strengthen key elements of the SPA Natura 2000 network site and Ramsar site ‘Unterer Niederrhein’ by re-establishing near natural and dynamic river flow systems, as well as associated floodplain structures. A 2.5 km long secondary channel will be widened, deepened and re-opened to the river Rhine. Further habitat works will target restoration of natural river depths, bank structures, currents, sediments and sediment dynamics. Measures will be introduced to mitigate against habitat damage from waves caused by passing ships and efforts will be invested to safeguard appropriate hydrological functions such as groundwater tables, flooding parameters and currents. Natural features will be extended to improve habitats for breeding or resident waders and other birds including arctic geese, swans and meadow species.
