PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Alluvial forests and pioneer vegetation of mountain rivers like the upper Danube are among the most endangered habitat types in Europe. Their surface area has decreased dramatically in recent decades due to river regulation, hydropower plants, flood protection measures and forestry. Beyond that, riverbed degradation in free-flowing sections results in separation of the alluvial forests and drying out of the natural river branches. Fish biomass is decreasing dramatically and rheophilic (i.e. preferring fast-moving water) fish species are seriously affected.
OBJECTIVES
The Dynamic LIFE Lines Danube project focuses on threatened riverine and alluvial habitats and endangered species along the Danube in eastern Austria and western Slovakia. Habitats along more than 100 km of the river will be involved, with improvements planned from the Danube-Auen National Park, east of Vienna (Austria), to ovsk luhy (Slovakia). Rheophilic fish species will benefit from measures in the whole project area, as will many other target species of the Habitats and Birds directives. A substantial amount of floodplain forests and muddy banks will be restored in both countries as well as natural hydromorphologic processes in order to ensure a favourable status in thelong run. Sites currently strongly affected by regulatory structures or other threats (e. g. invasive alien species) will be able to develop naturally. Hydrologic engineering measures will help reduce riverbed degradation. The idea is to achieve effective, sustainable results through minimal interventions and by stimulating natural processes. This best practice approach will be published on an international platform.
The projects main objectives are:
RESULTS
Expected results: