PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Wetlands provide several irreplaceable functions and ecosystem services, especially in intensively farmed agricultural areas. By their capacity to retain water, they significantly mitigate the negative effects of drought or downstream flooding. They replenish groundwater aquifers and improve water quality by accumulating sediments and nutrients.
Wetlands also provide renewable resources and can sustain grazing animals. They harbour an extraordinary diversity of habitats, flora and fauna. They provide opportunities for recreation, aesthetic appreciation, ecotourism, wildlife-watching and environmental education.
However, since the 1970s, wetlands have become one of the most endangered habitats world-wide.
The priority habitat 1340* (inland salt meadows) in the project area is in immediate danger of disappearance due to drainage for agricultural purposes, water pollution caused especially by excessive nutrient and pesticide runoff from the surrounding fields, invasive and expanding plant species, and lack of management.
The main negative effect on the project sites is a gradual disappearance of the habitat which is endangered both at national and EU levels, and the accompanying decline in populations of priority species of plants, birds and amphibians that are protected in the sites.
OBJECTIVES
The project addresses the problem of major biodiversity loss, eutrophication, and degradation of ten Natura 2000 wetland sites in the agricultural landscape of the Pannonian region of southern Moravia. Their complex ecological restoration will increase the overall species and habitat diversity, and support the populations of six target priority species that have an unfavourable status at both national and European levels.
The overall aim of the LIFE in Salt Marshes project is to restore 506 hectares (ha) of wetlands including 20 ha of inland salt meadows.
The project’s specific objectives are to:
- Restore and stabilise wetlands, including the target priority habitat inland salt meadows (1340*), by restoring their heterogeneous character, mitigating expansive plant species and eliminating invasive plant species, through traditional management practices combined with innovative methods.
- Reduce water pollution and optimise the water regime by means of biotechnical measures and/or natural, small-scale water retention measures.
- Prepare new, experience- and data-based plans for site management verified by biomonitoring, quantitative analysis of ecosystem services, changes in water retention, water quality and habitat heterogeneity.
- Transfer experience and knowledge at national and European levels through the dissemination of expert materials, studies and reports, and the organisation of an international conference with field excursions to the restored sites.
RESULTS
The project’s expected results are:
- 506 ha of restored and stabilised wetlands situated on ten Natura 2000 sites.
- At least 20 ha of the 1340* priority habitat restored and stabilised.
- 35% increase in species diversity in bioindicator groups.
- 15–30% increase in the population sizes of six target species (Tringa totanus, Spatula querquedula, Cirsium brachycephalum, Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, and Rana arvalis).
- 20% increase in habitat heterogeneity.
- Reduction of invasive alien species cover from 100 ha to max. 1 ha.
- 70% decrease in expansive species cover.
- 10 local farmers involved in the site management of the Natura 2000 project sites.
- 20 stakeholder entities involved in project activities.
- 16 newly-created expert deliverables on the ecological restoration of inland salt meadows.
- 1,300 participants involved in the project’s educational and promotional events.
- Updated Standard Data Forms for the Natura 2000 project sites.
- 25% decrease in the concentration of nutrients in the water.
- 25% increase in water retention.
- Reduction of the area that is particularly vulnerable to climate change from 500 ha to 125 ha.
