PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Several German Länder were planning to establish a biosphere reserve, encompassing a national park, on the floodplains of the lower central Elbe river. This area is important for a number of Annex II species listed in the Habitats Directive (for example the Elbe beaver (Castor albicus)) and as a resting site for migratory bird species on the eastern Atlantic flyway. The Elbe floodplains are among the main resting sites for Bewick's swans (Cygnus columbianus) and contain important flocking and staging points for cranes. The area includes the largest breeding concentration of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Germany. However, as a result of river embankment and clearance, only relicts remain of the original, periodically inundated floodplain forests, which once covered the entire area.
OBJECTIVES
The project aimed to transform two areas within the 600 km2 Brandenburgische Elbtalaue nature park. This pastureland would be changed back to periodically inundated floodplain forest. In one of these areas, floodwater protection dikes would be moved inland to restore periodic inundation. The purchase of the mainly privately owned land would be a necessary precondition: it was planned to buy 580 ha in total. The development of the floodplain forest would be hastened by targeted planting of indigenous trees raised in a special nursery. The renovation of dikes was already planned in the project area, to be implemented externally to the LIFE project, by Brandenburg State. The project aimed to promote an innovative and ecological way of building the dikes, in keeping with the recommendations of the Elbe Convention.
RESULTS
The project produced an Environmental Impact Assessment, hydraulic analysis, other studies and a management plan;
Land was purchased to allow inundation. However, whilst the intended land purchase was understood by the European Commission to be of land located within the new dikes, the beneficiary understood that land could be purchased outside of the new dikes provided they complemented the conservation value within the dikes (for example seepage areas) or, could be swapped for land within the dikes. For the Gnevsdorfer Werder/Rühstedt area only 65 ha could be bought and the original idea of establishing a “succession only” area was revised - Instead a mosaic of grazing, soft wood forest and hardwood forest development was established.
A 587 ha area was established for Lenzen dike relocation – 219 ha were bought inside the area, and 324 ha outside it (to be swapped for land inside). The planned swap didn’t happen as quickly or as completely as hoped. Instead, public authority land consolidation was required in advance of the dike construction work.
An indigenous tree nursery was created for the project and 50 ha was planted with trees.
Fencing against cattle and deer was established;
Hedges were planted or protected; and
Information and awareness-raising was delivered as foreseen.
The anticipated increase in flood storage is estimated to have reduced flood levels by 300-400 mm. The project produced an Environmental Impact Assessment, hydraulic analysis, other studies and a management plan;
Land was purchased to allow inundation. However, whilst the intended land purchase was understood by the European Commission to be of land located within the new dikes, the beneficiary understood that land could be purchased outside of the new dikes provided they complemented the conservation value within the dikes (for example seepage areas) or, could be swapped for land within the dikes. For the Gnevsdorfer Werder/Rühstedt area only 65 ha could be bought and the original idea of establishing a “succession only” area was revised - Instead a mosaic of grazing, soft wood forest and hardwood forest development was established.
A 587 ha area was established for Lenzen dike relocation – 219 ha were bought inside the area, and 324 ha outside it (to be swapped for land inside). The planned swap didn’t happen as quickly or as completely as hoped. Instead, public authority land consolidation was required in advance of the dike construction work.
An indigenous tree nursery was created for the project and 50 ha was planted with trees.
Fencing against cattle and deer was established;
Hedges were planted or protected; and
Information and awareness-raising was delivered as foreseen.
The anticipated increase in flood storage is estimated to have reduced flood levels by 300-400 mm.