PROFISTAT

LIFE07 NAT/SK/000707

4 577 663,00 €

2007

In the past, the Danube inland delta represented one of the largest and most diverse natural wetland complexes in central Europe. Large parts of it have been destroyed over the past few decades. Habitat loss and destruction is continuing as a result of earlier river regulation and poor area management. The decreasing habitat quality and several other factors (e.g. unregulated human disturbance) have led to major decreases in the populations of the typical floodplain bird species, such as black stork (Ciconia nigra), garganey (Anas querquedula), night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), little egret (Egretta garzetta) and black kite (Milvus migrans). Urgent actions are needed to recover or maintain the quality and quantity of the floodplain avifauna.

Danube birds conservation project improved the conservation status of 15 target floodplain bird species and their habitats. The project successfully implemented ambitious large-scale restoration activities, such as opening dry river branches, to restore natural river dynamics and vital ecosystem functions and services. To significantly improve conditions for the 15 targeted species, aquatic and wetland nesting and feeding habitats were restored or improved on 186.2 ha and over 22.91 km of river branches length. The project restored recently dried-up river branches and oxbows at four sites (62.7 ha) by renewing their water supply, and restored river branch connectivity, water regime and flowing water conditions at five sites (totalling 13.71 km and 96.5 ha). Lowland meadows were restored over 184.6 ha and regular management was introduced at four localities. Floodplain land was afforested with native tree species on 35.76 ha, with 44 900 young trees planted. The project team constructed two fish passages at strategic river branching points to allow fish to migrate into the restored river branch system. The project created steep river banks at three sites (265 m in total) as nesting habitats for sand martin (Riparia riparia) and kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). Restored wetlands, river branches and river banks will provide long-term resting, feeding and nesting habitats for the 15 target bird species. The Danube birds conservation consortium purchased 86.65 ha of land and leased 16.18 ha, enabling the project team to influence land management. In the future, the plan is for a significantly larger area of land to be purchased or leased for conservation purposes. A key factor in the project’s success was the cooperation of beneficiaries with a broad spectrum of stakeholders and relevant organisations. The project raised awareness among the general public and professional audiences about the target bird species, and river restoration and nature conservation issues. It producing and distributing numerous information and promotional materials, installing 20 information panels, publishing a specialist book (‘Birds of Danube floodplains’), and by frequent promotion of the project in local, regional, national and international media. As a result of the project actions, the improved conservation status of certain target bird species and their habitats was confirmed, with new nesting pairs and population increase recorded for white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), common redshank (Tringa totanus), sand martin and kingfisher. The project addressed several targets of the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy: Target 1 (protect species and habitats) by removing barriers to fish mobility so they could access reproduction sites; Target 2 (maintain and restore ecosystems) by extensive restoration of river branches, wetlands, grasslands, and forests; Target 3 (achieve more sustainable agriculture and forestry) by demonstrating sustainable grassland management on Veľkolélsky island, and converting poplar monocultures into more diverse forest; Target 5 (combat invasive alien species) by removing invasive plants from grassland habitats; and Target 6 (stop biodiversity loss) by the combination of above-mentioned actions. The project team restored habitats, especially through hydrological interventions, at an unprecedented scale in Slovakia, and showed how to successfully implement ambitious and technically-complicated measures in river floodplains. The project has high demonstration value and can be used as inspiration for other projects aiming to restore and manage riverine landscapes in favour of native habitats and species. Positive socio-economic impacts and local acceptance of the project was achieved by intensive communication with local stakeholders and communities. Long-term economic and social benefits include the creation of jobs, both during the project and of a longer-term nature (e.g. tree planting, follow up maintenance and after-planting care). The start of sustainable grazing in lowland meadows, with project livestock, has established several permanent local jobs. Inhabitants also directly benefit from the restored ecosystems services through fishing, hunting and other recreation activities. The project also indirectly supported a few local businesses promoting eco-tourism in the Danube floodplain area. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan.

endangered species / nature conservation / protected area / wetland /

Bratislavské regionálne ochranárske združenie