PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The rolling hills of upper Swabia against the imposing backdrop of the Alps are a natural beauty, enclosing such environmentally valuable regions as the Blitzenreuter Seenplatte – a mosaic of Molinia meadows and lime-rich oligotrophic marshes/peat depressions set in rich green bog woods. Another important area is the uncommon Schnegglisande (coarse-grained limnic lime deposits with calcified blue-green algae). Though human activities have traditionally tended and fostered these habitats, intensive practises introduced in the past century have deprived the area of nourishing water. Consequently, Annex II species like the fen orchid (Liparis loeselli) and slender green feather-moss (Hamatocaulis vernicosus) are under pressure.
The beneficiary is a limited company whose shareholders are the Ravensburg district in association with regional and local stakeholder associations. Its task is the 'development of the landscape', which includes nature conservation projects. It is carrying out this LIFE project in association with a range of partners, requiring significant advance co-ordination involving both land-users, and local authorities and associations.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the project was to restore the ecological value of the Blitzenreuter Seenplatte, above all by rewetting the raised bogs (active or degenerated). To ensure that the required water is available and stays where it belongs, 18 weirs were planned to be built across the various man-made drainage ditches linking the sites. An adjustable weir would be built to reconcile the conflicting claims of the various land-users and the conservation objectives. Before this hydrological work can be done, land which will be flooded (53.5 ha) would need to be purchased.
In order to integrate the four Annex I habitats targeted, which are scattered over 400ha, into a single coherent entity, the connections between them would be ecologically upgraded. The modification of a stream over a distance of 1.2km would play a central role in achieving this aim.
Visitor management measures were also planned to ensure that the sensitive habitats and their species would be respected after the end of the project. Nutrients infiltrating from the immediate surroundings also represent a serious threat, but they would also be managed by accompanying measures parallel to LIFE.
RESULTS
The project achieved its main objective of rewetting a raised bog (138ha), which has for many decades suffered the effects of drainage, the inflow of nutrients and afforestation. It achieved this aim by building pile walls and raising the public awareness for the specific habitats and species of the project sites and the need for their restoration.
Considerably larger pile walls (Spundwände) than foreseen (up to 125m large) needed to be installed, and additional funds of around €300 000 were provided by the Regierungspräsidium Tübingen. A year-and-a-half after the rewetting measures, positive effects are noticeable. Typical plant species of raised bogs (as Sphagnum-mossess, Utricularia sp.) are spreading and a high number of spruce trees have already died. The nature trail was completed in June 2007 thanks to the significant involvement of local people.
The beneficiary reported that a detailed hydrological survey was very important in order to define the appropriate conservation measures for the rewetting of the target area. One of the lessons learnt was that it would have been better if the nature trail had been created earlier, since the nature trail has considerably increased the acceptance of the LIFE project in the region. It has provided clear benefits to local people and is very well used.
The hydrological monitoring and the control of the pile walls will be continued by regional authorities in order to ensure the long-term conservation of the mire.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).The project achieved its main objective of rewetting a raised bog (138ha), which has for many decades suffered the effects of drainage, the inflow of nutrients and afforestation. It achieved this aim by building pile walls and raising the public awareness for the specific habitats and species of the project sites and the need for their restoration.Considerably larger pile walls (Spundwände) than foreseen (up to 125m large) needed to be installed, and additional funds of around €300 000 were provided by the Regierungspräsidium Tübingen. A year-and-a-half after the rewetting measures, positive effects are noticeable. Typical plant species of raised bogs (as Sphagnum-mossess, Utricularia sp.) are spreading and a high number of spruce trees have already died. The nature trail was completed in June 2007 thanks to the significant involvement of local people.
The beneficiary reported that a detailed hydrological survey was very important in order to define the appropriate conservation measures for the rewetting of the target area. One of the lessons learnt was that it would have been better if the nature trail had been created earlier, since the nature trail has considerably increased the acceptance of the LIFE project in the region. It has provided clear benefits to local people and is very well used.
The hydrological monitoring and the control of the pile walls will be continued by regional authorities in order to ensure the long-term conservation of the mire.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).