PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Rare wetland habitats and associated species are present within the Natura 2000 network site, Puszcza Kampinoska. The site's integrity has however been compromised by melioration works associated with the Łasica Channel and several other minor channels, which has contributed to the gradual drying of the wetlands.
Challenges remain in restoring the target sites to a state where they are capable of achieving their full potential as environmental assets. Research has identified the type of remedial habitat actions that needs to be taken to overcome such nature conservation challenges.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the LIFE KAMPINOS WETLANDS PL project was to implement the actions that have been identified as needed for properly restoring and maintaining wetland habitats at Puszcza Kampinoska. The following project actions were planned:
- Permanently increasing moisture content around the most valuable fragments of Puszcza Kampinoska wetland habitats;
- Halting secondary succession in wet meadows (Molinion and Arrhenatherion type meadows);
- Reducing conflicts between the interests of local communities and those of nature conservation; and
- Collating the project experiences to produce benchmark solutions for water management on naturally-valuable areas (including workable options that facilitate the coexistence of wildlife and human economic activity).
RESULTS
The LIFE KAMPINOS WETLANDS PL project improved the level of water (retention) in the most valuable wetlands of the Kampinos Forest and halted secondary natural succession in wet meadows. Soil moisture content increased on 5,700 ha (including almost 145 ha of plots purchased by the Kampinoski National Park), mostly thanks to construction of hydro-technical infrastructure, agreements on water management with local communities and Polish Waters, and mowing on valuable habitats. Monitoring of the project area confirmed better moisture content – drainage of water was slowed down, allowing the ground water table to rise by around 20 cm, in particular in late summer time (in the vicinity of watercourses). This serves the targeted Natura 2000 habitats and related species well (in particular fish, birds and insects).
The project partners developed benchmark solutions for water management on naturally valuable areas, allowing for coexistence of human land use and wildlife. They also drew up an action plan and developed a modelling application to monitor the impact of beavers on water levels and to help with management of the beaver population. Thanks to intensive communication, the partners managed to halt conflicts with local communities related to increased water levels.
