Restoration and conservation of semi-natural and natural habitats in eastern Ardennes (Belgium)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Until the mid-nineteenth century, the High Ardennes region of Belgium consisted of vast areas of heathland and grasslands, shaped by agro-pastoral management with herds of sheep and cattle. In between the high pastures lay valleys where farmers used specific irrigation techniques (‘abissage’) for hay management. As these traditional methods became unprofitable, mechanisation and intensification increased. Areas where this was not feasible were abandoned or planted with conifers. This has resulted in fragmentation and even disappearance of semi-natural habitats and associated species.

OBJECTIVES

The general objective of the LIFE NARD-US project is to recreate and restore semi-natural heathland and grassland habitats, improve their connectivity and conservation status and assure adequate management. The project targets four grasslands, meadow and bog woodland habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive (including two that are priority for conservation (Nardus grasslands and bog woodland - 6230 and 91D0). It also targets two butterfly species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, the marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) and violet copper (Lycaena helle).

There are four specific objectives:

To improve knowledge of the habitats and target species through a detailed analysis of 25 Natura 2000 network sites within which the project area is located and in a 5 km buffer zone;

To recreate habitats and species habitats in order to increase the connectivity between them;

To improve the conservation status of the targeted butterfly species through the restoration of the target habitats; and

To develop exchange of expertise between scientific partners, NGOs and public sector agencies in Wallonia.

Expected results: The project expects to restore 250 ha of the target habitats, of which:

More than half for priority habitats - species-rich Nardus grasslands (110 ha) and for bog woodland habitats (25 ha);

60 ha of lowland and mountain hay meadows; and

55 ha of habitat for the two target butterfly species.

The project also aims to stimulate the engagement of local farmers in the management of meadows with low productivity through an increased understanding of the value of the mowing products.

Finally, the project will work towards increasing the interest of local people in the conservation of nature as well as their knowledge on the Natura 2000 network and the existing nature reserves.

The project will contribute to water retention and hydrologic control on several local rivers.

The work to be carried out in support of the recreation and restoration of violet copper will be complementary to actions implemented by two earlier LIFE projects: PAPILLONS (LIFE07 NAT/B/000039) and LIFE Eislek (LIFE11 NAT/LU/000858). In addition, measures will be taken to try to keep and develop the small marsh fritillary population that has been recently discovered in the project area.