PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Article 17 of the Habitats Directive obliges Member States to report on the conservation status of priority of species and habitats. Active raised bogs (7110*), along with associated invertebrates, is unfavourable in the geographical areas of Denmark targeted by the project. At present the project areas and associated vulnerable habitat types face several threats (e.g., poor hydrology, overgrowth, eutrophication and fragmentation), resulting in the destruction of the peat.
The total project area is 1 394 ha, situated in eight potential Sites of Community Interest and distributed over 10 sub-project areas in Denmark. A small part (around 49 ha) of the project area is located outside of the Natura 2000 areas to be able to restore the necessary hydrological regime in the Natura 2000 sites.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the LIFEraisedbogs project was to reach a favourable conservation status for active raised bogs in the project areas. This was reached by enhancing the peat accumulating sites characteristic of the active raised bogs. The project actions aimed to boost the raised bogs’ significant potential to develop both qualitatively and spatially in project sites. Water beetles and dragonflies (Dytiscus latissimu, Graphoderus bilineatus and Leucorrhinia pectoralis) were also expected to benefit from the improved habitats.
The project also carried out specific management on existing active raised bogs (7110*), degraded raised bogs (7120), transition mires (7140), bog woodland (91D0*) and other habitats by compensating 69 private landowners on 714 ha and by land consolidation procedures. Furthermore, clearance of shrub, trees and forest-like vegetation including invasive species on 365 ha was foreseen. Lastly, the restoration of the hydrological regime on 904 ha was undertaken.
RESULTS
The main environmental and climate benefits are related to improving the condition of 235 ha of raised bogs and restore the conditions on 429 ha for development towards active raised bogs. This has been achieved through hydrological improvements leading to an increasing ground water table and clearing areas of problematic vegetation where necessary. Monitoring shows that the change in vegetation response at the micro scale is less obvious, and that results will only be apparent in the long term. It is still too early to take stock of improvements in target habitats/areas into favorable conservation status following the restoration.
As a result, the establishment and development of the characteristic peatmoss vegetation is very slow and will therefore take decades. Meanwhile, the project sites will be dominated by other habitat types such as transition mires and quaking bogs (7140), which will slowly develop into raised bogs (7110*). The project has arranged a structure to facilitate the physical changes necessary for this transformation.
All in all, the project has a positive environmental effect on 562 ha of existing or potential new raised bogs 7110*. These nature areas are surrounded by an additional 544 ha of buffer areas, functioning as a transition zone towards areas with other land use (forestry, agriculture). In total, the project positively effects 1106 ha.
The project also supports the species’ conservation status, specifically insect species (G. biliniatus, D. latissimus, and L. pectoralis) are expected to benefit from new ponds or renovation of ponds. Increase in populations has not yet been demonstrated by monitoring results.
The calculated effect of the rewetting of the areas is reduced emissions from all project sites, with savings of around 7,000 – 22,000 tons CO2-eq / year.
