PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Lake Vnern is the largest freshwater lake in the European Union, covering an area of 5 650 km2. The project area includes the EUs largest freshwater archipelago with 22 000 islands, islets and skerries (small rocky reefs). The lake is home to a large population of seabirds and waterfowl, and is an important staging site for migrating birds in the spring and autumn. The white-tailed eagle, or sea-eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and osprey (Pandion haliaetus) breed on the islands of the archipelago. The rich birdlife is dependent on open nesting environments for colony nesting species such as terns and gulls. Changes in land use and water management during the 20th century, however, have caused a severe decline in habitat quality. The skerries and shores, which were once bare, are today under threat from intense overgrowth of bushes and trees. This is also threatening the regions flora and fauna, particularly on islands where management is more difficult than on the mainland. Small-scale restoration work has been carried out in parts of the archipelago. But a coordinated effort is needed to make a noticeable improvement in both the area and quality of breeding sites and habitats.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE+ Vnern projects main objectives were to restore important breeding and staging sites at Lake Vnern in Sweden for 11 bird species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive; to restore to a 'favourable' conservation status several habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive; and to facilitate continuing management after the project ends. Specific aims included reducing the disturbance on breeding sites through information and sensitive channelling of visitors, as well as through the building of nest platforms for two target bird species (Haliaeetus albicilla and Pandion haliaetus); and to benefitting nationally-listed (i.e. Swedish Red-listed) species, in particular the ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), a wading bird.
RESULTS
The LIFE+ Vnern project restored important habitats listed in Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive and important breeding and staging sites for bird species listed in Annex 1 of the Birds Directive, around Lake Vnern in Sweden. The project also decreased disturbance at bird breeding sites.
The project produced 10 restoration plans for the project sites, and compiled a management strategy for important breeding sites for birds. Concrete conservation actions included the clearing of vegetation overgrowth on 214 skerries, which are important for colonies of breeding birds; the clearing of grassland habitats on 98 ha; the restoration by burning of grassland and heather on 28.7 ha; and the restoration of 17.7 ha of Western Taiga habitat through controlled burning.
The project team reintroduced grazing on 114 ha of pastures; erected 8 992 meters of fencing around pastures; and constructed a gangway for cattle to facilitate grazing in the archipelago. Two breeding islands for birds were built, totalling 1 240 m2. The project produced high-quality monitoring reports of bird species, to inform conservation actions. Visitor facilities were installed, visits were organised for visitors, and information campaigns conducted. These activities helped to reduce disturbance in sensitive bird breeding sites.
The projects main target policy area was the Birds Directive. It also restored to favourable conservation status several habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Furthermore, project actions contribute towards the implementation of Target 1 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
In addition, the project contributed to discussions about a wider problem in Lake Vnern, namely, regulation of the lakes water level. This is a core problem for the habitats and species dependent on the lake. The project provided important data on the cost of mitigation measures for offsetting the negative impacts of lake regulation.
The project provided a good best practice demonstration of restoration methods, which can easily be replicated, transferred and demonstrated in similar conditions elsewhere in the EU. The experiences and knowledge gained during the project can lead to improvements in the restoration of overgrown habitats on shorelines and islands in lakes and seas, for example, restoration of grasslands on islands, reintroduction of grazing on islands, restoration of wetland pastures, fire management of Western Taiga on islands (sub-type natural old pine forests), clearing of skerries in an archipelago, building semi-natural nesting platforms for raptors, and building breeding islands for terns and gulls.
By improving the quality of the ecosystem in the largest freshwater lake in the EU the beneficiaries are contributing to improved ecosystem services, such as the provision of clean water. A long-term, qualitative economic benefit that comes from the open landscapes is that they are highly appreciated by visitors. By helping to attract more visitors, the project will benefit the tourism industry and the local economy. During the project's implementation, approximately 100 companies have delivered services and products, most of which have been local companies, which has also contributed to the local economy.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
