PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Scattered in the Danish countryside, often at the foot of inland cliffs or on the sides of gullies created by the melting ice at the end of the last glacial period, is or should be, a string of moist light-open habitat types. However, inappropriate hydrology, land reduction / fragmentation, and nutrient load have resulted in a direct loss of some of these habitat types. The majority of the remaining habitats are endangered (some places even critically endangered) for the above reasons, and encroachment/inappropriate management, pesticide exposure and invasion of alien species. In addition, due to these endangered habitats, several species connected to them suffer the loss of breeding grounds.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the RigKilde LIFE project was to ensure the favourable conservation status of calcareous fens (7210*), petrifying springs (7220*) and alkaline fens (7230) habitat types, and to increase their size:
- For the priority habitat type, Calcareous fens, the aim was to increase the cover from 14.0 ha (16.1% of the habitat area in Denmark) to 18.5 ha;
- For the priority habitat type, petrifying springs, the aim was an increase from 5.7 ha (1.6% of the habitat area in Denmark, of which 3.5 ha or 14.7% of the habitat area is located in the Atlantic biogeographical region) to 12.7 ha;
- For alkaline fens, the aim was an increase from 196.3 ha (6.6% of the habitat area in Denmark, of which 165.6 ha or 30.6% of the land is located in the Atlantic biogeographical region) to 271.3 ha.
The specific objectives for the target species were to:
- Ensure existing breeding grounds for great crested newt (Triturus cristatus);
- Improve breeding and foraging conditions for the moor frog (Rana arvalis), in order to increase the number of breeding active adults by 50%; and
- Maintain the eastern part of the SAC Øvre Mølleådal, Furesø og Frederiksdal Skov as one of the best breeding sites in Denmark for the water beetle (Graphoerus bilineatus) and the dragonfly large white-faced darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis).
RESULTS
The project focused on several Annex I habitat types and Annex II and IV species within seven Danish Natura 2000 areas located in Northwest Jutland, on Langeland and on Zealand. The project included eight sub-projects. The main focus of the project was the restoration and expansion of the area with the habitat types alkaline fens (7230), calcareous fens (7210*) and petrifying springs (7220*). The project also worked to improve the conditions for the Annex II species great crestred newt (Triturus cristatus), large white-faced darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) and the water beetle (Graphoerus bilinieatus), as well as the Annex IV species moor frog (Rana arvalis).
The project also focused on improving the conservation status of other habitat types such as Atlantic salt meadows (1330) and Molinia meadows (6410) associated with the above habitat types. Through the implementation of the management actions the conservation status of the key natural habitat types has been improved as foreseen in the LIFE application by improving the hydrology and by establishing (clearings) and maintaining (grazing and supplementary clearings) more light-open conditions.
Thus, the following area covers of the various management activities have been obtained:
- Hydrological improvements of existing 7230, 7210* and 7220* on 55,6 ha
- Light open conditions established on 164,4 ha consisting of clearance of 44,4 ha and 120,0 ha managed by grazing.
- Potential for development of new 7230, 7210* and 7220* on 84,7 ha.
- Management of other habitat types such as 1330 and 6410 on 195,7 ha.
- 27 new or restored ponds for amphibians and other species and 350 m of improved banks.
- Visitor facilities including 37 information signs, a handout and 3 hiking trails.
A comprehensive monitoring programme has been implemented to obtain documentation of the biological, socio-economic and ecosystem service effects of the project. The botanical trends are clear in all but two of the subprojects showing an overall positive effect on both the plant species’ composition and the vegetation structure. The project has thereby promoted the likeliness of obtaining a favorable conservation status for most selected areas. The project’s effort for improved habitats for amphibians and insects was not directly reflected in increased populations by the end of the project period. The main reason is most likely that the populations are very sensitive to dry weather conditions and that the effect monitoring in fact coincided with unusually dry springs and summers in 2021 and 2022.
Regarding the socio-economic effects several indicators have been analysed and the economic assets were calculated. The socio-economic indicators were evaluated in a model area in Thisted Municipality where sufficient data expectably could be collected in relation to availability grazing animals, nature management as a way of living and impact on local economy.
Regarding the calculated effect on ecosystem services the hydrological initiatives had a positive influence on the groundwater resources by increasing the formation of groundwater. Likewise, the hydrological initiatives were shown to have a positive influence on decreasing the release of greenhouse gases.
