Conservation and restoration of alkaline fens (code 7230) in the young-glacial landscape of northern Poland

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Alkaline fens (a habitat type listed in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive) are one of the most valuable and ecologically interesting – and also one of the most difficult to protect – of European ecosystems. Their functioning is conditioned by interaction of external factors such as the appropriate geological conditions (the presence of rocks and minerals of a suitable chemical composition) or the proper functioning of the regional hydrological system. Well-preserved fragments of these ecosystems are home to large number of endangered and protected species of flora and fauna.

The intensive drainage of wetlands in the 20th century has led to the disappearance of some 80% of Poland’s alkaline fens.

The extreme risk to Polish alkaline fens has been confirmed by the results of an inventory of habitats carried out by the project beneficiary, Klub Przyrodników, during 2008-2011. This indicated that only 10-15% of the country’s alkaline fens have characteristic vegetation. From hundreds of inventoried samples only 34 were selected in northern Poland, which at the same time is the area of the most important refuges in the country of the rare plant species marsh saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus), fen orchid (Liparis loeselii) and slender green feather moss (Hamatocaulis vernicosu). Amongst the sites selected by this project are the most valuable alkaline fens of the valleys of Biebrza and Rospuda, Lake Sejny, Augustow Forest, and the Kashubian Lake District.

OBJECTIVES

The ‘AlkFens_PL’ project will focus on the protection of alkaline fens in 35 Natura 2000 sites located in northern Poland. This large-scale project is potentially of great significance since the project area incorporates some 70% of the total alkaline fens of northern Poland. The general objective is to prevent their degradation and to achieve or maintain “favourable” conservation status. This will have the consequence of improving the conservation prospects for the many associated rare and endangered plants they support.

Specific project objectives include:

Preventing excessive runoff and increase groundwater levels in the alkaline fens;

Preventing mineralisation and eutrophication of surface layers of peat;

Halting biodiversity decline caused by the spread of peat species such as grasses, trees and shrubs;

Strengthening the regional marsh saxifrage population;

Disseminating information on conservation methods, based on good conservation plans and good management plans;

Promoting the protection of alkaline fens as refuges for rare and endangered species;

Promoting the protection of alkaline fens as CO2 accumulating areas; and

Establishing an interest group dedicated to building on the project results for the long-term protection of Poland’s alkaline fens.

Expected results

Good prospects for the maintenance or restoration of the “favourable” conservation status of the 35 most valuable areas of alkaline fen in northern Poland;

To contribute to the strengthening and maintenance of some 90% of natural sites of marsh saxifrage and some 50% of sites of other target plant species;

Over the course of the project, 165 small water gates will be constructed, trees and shrubs will be removed from a 213-ha area of fens, and 253 ha of peatlands will be mowed;

Land purchase of 45 ha of the most valuable alkaline fens;

Drafting of 20 conservation plans for existing and planned nature reserves, together with the management plans for Natura 2000 network sites; and

Some 25 people to receive training in the management of the alkaline fens.