PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
There are still several areas in the southern Eggegebirge, in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, that harbour rare peatlands habitats, such as the habitats listed in the annex I of the Habitats Directive: ‘Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration’ (7120) and ‘Transition mires and quaking bogs’ (7140). These peatlands provide habitat for highly endangered plant and animal species, and function as important stepping stones that support the survival of wetlands and bog species in the whole nature region of the Weserbergland. However, the sites are increasingly degraded by drainage, disturbed water regimes, and scrub encroachment.
OBJECTIVES
The overall aim of the LIFE-Projekt Egge-Moore project was to assure a favourable conservation status for the protected wetland habitat types of the Natura 2000 network sites “Eselsbett and Schwarzes Bruch” and “Sauerbachtal Buelheim” in Germany. Specific objectives were to improve the conservation status of ‘Transition mires and quaking bogs’ on the Eselsbett site by restoring a favourable water regime; restore the water balance of the Schwarzes Bruch project site; remove willow scrub from Eselsbett to restore its open landscape character and optimise the marshlands as a habitat for bog species; sustainably thin pine forests on the Schwarzes Bruch site to restore its open landscape character and make it favourable for bog species; and restore a favourable water balance in the transition mires and quaking bogs on the Sauerbachtal Buelheim site. In addition to improving the conservation status of habitat types, the project also aimed to improve their habitat-specific species composition and the linkages between project sites. Broad support will be sought amongst stakeholders and the local population for the project’s objectives.
RESULTS
The LIFE-Projekt Egge-Moore project improved the conservation status of Habitats Directive Annex I listed wetland habitat types in the Natura 2000 network sites “Eselsbett and Schwarzes Bruch” and “Sauerbachtal Bülheim” in the Weserbergland region of Germany.
The conservation status of the habitat ‘Transition mires and quaking bogs’ on the Eselsbett site was improved by the restoration of a favourable water regime, by blocking ditches and building dams. Thanks to the large-scale removal of willow woodland and the substantial increase of the peatland water level, the former openness of the mire landscape was achieved.
The water balance on the Schwarzes Bruch site was visibly improved after the construction of dams and the closure of ditches, and the thinning of adjacent forest stands. Forestry measures like thinning and forest conversion improved the habitat quality of the site.
With the successful implementation of the project’s concrete conservation measures, a significant improvement of the habitat types ‘Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration’ and ‘Transition mires and quaking bogs’ in the region is expected. Together with other projects with similar objectives, this should lead to an improvement in the two habitat types in the national context in the medium- to long-term.
It is too early to assess the full achievement of the project’s actions to create the best possible hydrological and structural conditions for the peatland regeneration, but this should be observed within the next 5-20 years.
During the project, numerous excursions into the sites were offered. The mobile project exhibition was shown in numerous public places. At the end of the project, a scientific conference served as a platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge about the restoration of mountain peatlands. In addition, project results and lessons learned have been disseminated among experts and the general public through several publications.
The LIFE-Projekt Egge-Moore project directly implements the EU Habitats Directive, and contributes to achieving the first thematic priority (protection, conservation and improvement of the Union's natural capital) of the 7th EU Environment Action Plan. In addition, to a limited extent because of the relatively small total area, the project helps implement or further develop regional, national and EU policies and strategies regarding climate change goals, in terms of the role of restored peatlands in carbon sequestration, CO2 mitigation and climate change management. The techniques used for the peatland re-wetting are replicable in similar habitats and similar conditions. Only the site Eselsbett is accessible for the public, so the range of different restoration measures can be demonstrated there.
According to the socio-economic study, there were observed improvements in the social acceptance of nature conservation measures in general, though other measures and projects in the area also contributed to this, and the level of awareness of the project was significantly increased. The peatland restoration work provided local employment.
Regrettably, the quantitative results (as defined in the amended Grant Agreement) could not be fully achieved due to the persistent refusal of a major land owner to cooperate, and thus the partial failure of a planned land purchase and the reduction of concrete conservation actions foreseen on this land.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
