PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
During the last few decades, more than 60% of Finland’s original peatland area has been drained for forestry. This serious habitat degradation has been most intensive in southern and central Finland, where only 25% of the original peatlands remains. Drainage also decreases the quality of undrained peatlands, by lowering the water table level of the entire mire complex. The result is loss of peatland species, most often caused by alterations in hydrology and increased tree cover. Ditches are often located on the edges of Natura 2000 network sites. Finland is the most lake-rich country in the EU. In many lakes, natural water level has been lowered because ditches and rivulets have been turned into straight channels, which has negative effects for ecosystems. Lakes have the ability to store water and thus to reduce water level fluctuations downstream, especially during floods. Drainage as a result of large-scale forestry since 1960 has lowered water levels upstream of a vast number of lakes. The loss of open water areas is the main concern for managers of many bird wetland lakes. Open water areas in vegetated areas are important features of the bird wetlands and necessary for the sites to remain a suitable nesting and feeding habitat.
OBJECTIVES
The Hydrology LIFE project aims to:
Improve the quality of peatland habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive, by restoring peatlands and small water (headwater) systems in 103 Natura 2000 network sites; Improve water quality and flood control by filling in ditches and removing trees on peatlands, raising the water table on lakes, and restoring streams; Improve the quality of bird wetland habitats by increasing mosaic structure, with more open areas suitable for nesting and feeding; and Increase the awareness of wetlands and the Natura 2000 network by disseminating information through diverse media and by developing cooperation between restoration activities and forestry ditch network maintenance. Expected results:
Restoration plans (87) elaborated for 5 345 ha within 87 Natura 2000 network sites; Supplementary species inventories at 55 sites (500 ha), supplementary biotope inventories at 24 sites (2 214 ha), inventories for 13 streams, and cultural heritage inventories at five sites (5 ha); Five pilot sites and radar data used in ditch network maintenance for improving water quality in the catchment areas of Natura 2000 network sites; Preparatory training in bird wetland and stream restoration for nature conservation officers, and 10 training sessions for forestry planners and landowners on water management for improving Natura 2000 sites; 161 ha of new nature conservation areas at two sites; Peatland restored at 95 sites (5 239 ha), including in commercial forests (246 ha); Five volunteer camps organised; Trees removed from 1 321.5 ha to enable peatland restoration; Streams restored at 15 sites (34 km), water table on lakes raised at 14 sites (479 ha); Dredging done in four bird lakes increasing mosaic structure on 21 ha; Improved guidelines for peatland restoration and utilisation of new monitoring methods; Reports on water quality and vegetation 10-15 years after restoration, on effects of peatland restoration on protected bats, on bird lake restoration monitoring, and on socio-economic impacts and ecosystem functions after restoration; Training for journalists on wetland issues; and ‘Wetland venture learning’ concept produced for nature centres.
