PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Slovakia’s Medzibodrožie SPA contains the country’s largest wetland biotype territory, comprising channels, marshes, alluvial lowland landscapes and floodplains. The area is favoured by protected species such as bittern (Botaurus stellaris), which use this Natura 2000 network site as a breeding ground. Up to 30 pairs are estimated to reside in Medzibodrožie but the population is not considered to be stable. Other notable species include ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), though its roosting population has significantly declined in recent years, down to a low of no more than five pairs, and the population’s status is recorded as unfavourable. Both the above-mentioned species are listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. In the Medzibodrožie SPA area they are threatened mainly by loss of habitat, as wetlands dry up in response to changes in land use practice and climatic conditions. Eutrophication of existing wetland habitats poses an equally serious problem.
OBJECTIVES
The core objective of the AYBOTCON project was to halt and reverse the unfavourable population trends for the bittern and ferruginous duck in East Slovakia, especially within the Medzibodrožie SPA, which remains an important migration route and breeding area for these and other wetland bird species.
RESULTS
The AYBOTCON project achieved its main objective of reversing the unfavourable populations trends for bittern (Botaurus stellaris) and ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) in East Slovakia. This was done through the restoration/management of around 280 ha of water biotopes in the Medzibodrožie SPA Natura 2000 network site, within an intensively-used agricultural area. The work significantly improved habitats for bittern, ferruginous duck, and other waterfowl species. Overall, the environmental quality of the wetlands area was improved, and the area was made more attractive to visitors.
Specifically, the project’s sole beneficiary SOS/BirdLife Slovakia created 4 ha of buffer zones (green belts), restored 141 ha of wetlands, modified 1 770 m of electricity power lines to reduce bird collisions, and purchased 54 ha of land for nature conservation. Water regimes were restored on an area of 65-75 ha to improve the environmental quality of wetlands, especially to make them more suitable for bittern, ferruginous duck and other bird species. The project team restocked three project sites with native fish (e.g. tench and weatherfish), which increased the available food supply for bittern and other birds.
There was an increase in the number of localities where bittern and ferruginous duck occurred in 2016-2017, compared to the previous years. Bittern was observed in 6 localities in 2014, 3 in 2015, 8 in 2016, 8 in 2017, and 8 in 2018. Ferruginous duck was observed in 0 localities in 2014, 0 in 2015, 3 in 2016, 3 in 2017, and 4 in 2018.
A conservation plan for the two target species was produced, though it was not yet approved by the Ministry of Environment by the end of the project. Once approved, the Action Plan for the Protection of the Bittern and Ferruginous Duck will contribute to nature protection measures in Medzibodrozie SPA within the Natura 2000 site’s overall Management Plan. The project pointed out gaps in agricultural policy, and demonstrated ways of improving water conditions in agricultural landscapes and how to adapt these areas to climate change. Many restored wetlands are self-sustainable or only require low management input and, due to the successful close cooperation with various stakeholders (e.g. fisherman, water management authority, nature conservation agency), there is a solid chance that conservation actions will continue. The main remaining threat is connected to radical change of climate in the future, especially the potential impact of long-lasting drought on water sources feeding into the wetlands.
The project contributed to the creation of buffer zones (green belts) around wetlands on arable land, which reduces the risk of wetland pollution from intensively-used agricultural fields, and reduces the risk of water eutrophication. Buffer zones were created under the Rural Development Plan 2014-2020, which enables farmers to receive funding through compensation schemes. This also contributes to EU and Slovak Green Infrastructure strategy. The project activities and results directly correspond to priority objectives (1, 5, and 9) of the EU’s 7th Environment Action Programme.
The wetland restoration work resulted in a general improvement in the environmental quality of the area, and in its recreational and aesthetic value. In addition to directly implementing the Birds Directive, by increasing the area of favourable habitat for the two target bird species, the project helped improve ecosystem services provided by the wetlands, such as carbon storage, water retention and purification, and floods protection. Some of the project’s restoration solutions had not previously been used in this area by the State Nature Conservancy; in particular, wetland restoration by deepening and removing sediments was innovative at the regional scale.
Through the creation and restoration of wetlands, the installation of infrastructure, and the dissemination campaign, the area has become more attractive for visitors, and provides an improved environment with potential health benefits for the local population. Foreseen targets were exceeded in the information campaign and for the project’s mobile exhibition. The economic value of the restored and maintained habitats has increased, especially those that were abandoned before. Improved tourist infrastructure installed by the project (e.g. pathways, educational trail, information panels, birdwatching towers, shelters) could support the development of other economic sectors (e.g. accommodation, gastronomy, field guidance). Positive and indirect economic benefit could also arise from the development of private fishpond cultivation. All the revitalised wetlands are attractive for fishermen. The potential for birdwatching tourism, in particular, could increase employment in the area.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
