PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
In Sweden, as in most other Member States, semi-natural habitats dependent on traditional agricultural management practices (e.g. grazing and hay cutting) have suffered from serious deterioration during the last century. The decline has been driven by changes in land-use practices as well as by socio-economic factors. In northwest Europe, most of these areas have been turnedinto intensively managed farmland, abandoned, or turned into forest. As a result, only a small fraction of the original area remains. Among the habitats listed in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive, most of those dependent on traditional management practices belong to the group with the poorest conservation status; they also have a negative trend across the whole of Europe.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of LIFE RestoRED is to restore to favourable conservation status the Annex I-listed semi-natural habitats that are included in the European Red List of Habitats. The project aims to use its actions as examples which can enhance restoration of semi-natural habitats in the wider landscape.
The specific objectives are to:
Restore almost 1 150 ha, including more than 870 ha of Annex I habitats with unfavourable status, plus an additional 270 ha not currently of Annex 1 habitat quality but where restoration and subsequent management will lead to their reaching habitat quality; Disseminate and share knowledge and experience on the ways in which these sites, as well as other areas in the wider landscape, can be restored and sustainably managed long term; Create conditions that will facilitate long-term sustainable management of the target habitats and sites, e.g. by adding fencing, installing water supplies and by aiming for the sites to be eligible for environmental subsidies through restoration; and Integrate management favouring pollinators in as many of the target habitats as possible, to improve the situation for these species and raise awareness.
RESULTS
Expected results:
Over 870 ha of 17 Annex I habitats restored, plus an additional 270 ha of land not currently classified as Annex I habitat but expected to achieve suitable conditions for developing to this quality due to the projects measures; Construction of new fences and other infrastructure (water, corrals). The 90 km of new fencing will take account of future resilience in the planning and size of grazing areas, allowing flexibility for the future; 118 gates installed for visitors and livestock management; Planting of over 90 trees and 500 bushes, and provision of a water supply at four sites; A rangeof management actions undertaken favouring pollinators and raising awareness of their importance; Hydrological restoration carried out at three sites; Almost 12 km of paths put in place; Most of the land restored to a level making it eligible for common agricultural policy environmental payments; Increased level of knowledge among stakeholders about the habitats concerned, improving their capacity and willingness to manage these types of pastures and meadows long term; and Identification of ways in which future agri-environment schemes in Sweden can better fit the habitats targeted by the project.
