Green valleys: connecting habitats conservation with long term biomass management and multi-stakeholder approach

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

This project focuses on 9 habitats of Community interest: 6510, 6430, 6410, 6230*, 7230, 3410, 91E0*, 9120 and 9160. Part of the project is implemented in the valley regions of Flanders that are typically under the influence of calcareous groundwater. The large amounts of nutrient-poor, calcareous seepage water that reaches the surface in several zones is a determining factor for the exceptional ecological value of these regions. This also ensures the appearance of habitats that are incredibly rare in Flanders. Another part of the project is implemented in Poland focusing on habitat 7230. The main reason for the poor conservation status of this habitat is the abandonment of extensive grassland farming (mowing) and to some extent disturbed water conditions. A previous LIFE project (LIFE11 NAT/PL/423) has removed the diagnosed causes of poor habitat status. A general problem arising from the management of habitats for conservation is the biomass produced, that is usually treated as waste. Farmers are not interested in hay that no longer meets quality requirements for modern livestock production, for example, and compost producers are not interested in relatively small quantities of heterogeneous material from dispersed sites. Acknowledging this challenge, the project tries to couple ecological and economic interests by combining the protection of the targeted habitats with the promotion of recreation and tourism, as well as the implementation of a circular economy approach to solve the biomass problem.

OBJECTIVES

The Green valleys project aims to restore ten habitats of conservation importance, including meadows, fens and alluvial forests in Flanders (Belgium), and alkaline fens in Poland. In particular, the project will address habitat fragmentation, eutrophication and drainage. Restoration actions will include removing plantations of non-native trees (e.g. poplars), removing nutrient-rich topsoil, and converting agricultural land back into wetland habitats. Extensive mowing and grazing will be reinstated on open habitats. The project will develop long-term solutions to the problem of biomass production, designed to reduce overall carbon dioxide (C02) emissions, in line with climate change policy, and based around the concept of the circular economy, by turning waste biomass into raw materials. Finally, the project aims to purchase land to ensure the sustainable protection of target habitats, train volunteers in habitat management, and promote the transfer and replication of the project’s approach.

Expected results:

Creation of 45 ha of new lowland hay meadow habitat;

Improvement of around 40 ha of existing alkaline fens habitat;

Improvement of 40 ha of alluvial forests habitat, and 40 ha of sub-Atlantic and medio-European oak or oak-hornbeam forests habitat;

Creation of 8 ha of new hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities habitat and improvement of 11 ha of this habitat;

Creation of 5 ha of new Molinia meadows habitat and improvement of 2 ha of this habitat;

Improvement of 5 ha of existing Atlantic acidophilous beech forests habitat, and of over 3 ha of hard oligo-mesotrophic waters habitat;

Creation of 1.5 ha of new species-rich Nardus grassland;

Purchase of 56 ha to ensure the sustainable protection of the target habitats;

Delivery of solutions for the biomass generated during the management of target habitats, while limiting greenhouse gas emissions and bringing an economic return;

A team of volunteers trained, who are responsible for an important part of the continuous management of the restored habitats; and

Awareness raised about the project’s actions in Belgium and Poland, and transfer of knowledge and methodology to stakeholders across the EU.