LIFE and Europe's wetlands : restoring a vital ecosystem.
Date: 2008-01-21
Institutions: Directorate-General for Environment
Subjects: EU Member State, conservation of resources, ecosystem, environmental policy, environmental protection, humid zone

L I F E   I I I

LIFE and Europe’s wetlands 

Restoring a vital ecosystem  

European Commission
Environment Directorate-General

LIFE (“The Financial Instrument for the Environment”) is a programme launched by the European Commission and coordinated 

by the Environment Directorate-General (LIFE Unit - E.4).

The contents of the publication “LIFE and Europe’s wetlands: Restoring a vital ecosystem” do not necessarily reflect the opinions 

of the institutions of the European Union.

Authors: João Pedro Silva (Technical expert), Leigh Phillips, Wendy Jones, Jon Eldridge, Eamon O’Hara (Astrale GEIE-AEIDL, 
Communications Team Coordinator). Managing Editor: Philip Owen, European Commission, Environment DG, LIFE Unit – BU-9, 
02/1, 200 rue de la Loi, B-1049 Brussels. LIFE Focus series coordination: Simon Goss (LIFE Communications Coordinator), 
Evelyne Jussiant (DG Environment Communications Coordinator). The following people also worked on this issue: Juan 
Pérez Lorenzo, Aixa Sopeña, Cornelia Schmitz, Georgia Valaoras, Jörg Böhringer, Mikko Tira, Felix Bergmann, Iva Rossi, Laura 
Nocentini, Chloé Weeger, Marita Arvela, José Rizo-Martin. Production: Monique Braem. Graphic design: Daniel Renders, Anita 
Cortes (Astrale GEIE-AEIDL).  Acknowledgements: Thanks to all LIFE project beneficiaries who contributed comments, photos 
and other useful material for this report. Photos: Unless otherwise specified; photos are from the respective projects. This issue 
of LIFE Focus is published in English with a print-run of 5,000 copies and is also available online.

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 1

Peter Gammeltoft (left), and 
Patrick Murphy

Wetland ecosystems hold an important part of Europe’s biodiversity. They provide ideal conditions for a vast 

diversity of habitats and species. They are especially important for birds, providing vital nesting and migratory 

flyway areas, as well as for other fauna species, such as dragonflies and amphibians. Countless specialist plants 

depend on wetlands. 

Wetlands support a wide range of public goods and services, such as providing fresh water and recreational and 

tourism opportunities. In addition, they act as carbon ‘sinks’ and are therefore a fundamental asset in our efforts 

to reduce levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 

However, despite their importance, wetlands are disappearing (for instance, due to drainage and conversion to 

farmland) or are being polluted at an alarming rate and are among Europe’s most threatened ecosystems.

In recognition of this, wetlands were one of the very first nature conservation issues ever put forward for European 

and international policy consideration under the 1971 Ramsar Convention on the conservation and wise use 

of wetlands and their resources. Following on from this, as a contracting party to the Convention on Biological 

Diversity (CBD), the European Community has taken decisive steps to fulfil its commitments and to meet the 

target defined by the heads of state and government to halt biodiversity loss by 2010. In May 2006, the European 

Commission adopted a communication on biodiversity and an action plan which defines priority actions to meet 

this target. Many of the objectives, targets and actions are directly relevant to the conservation and wise use of 

wetlands. The action plan also emphasises the links to other relevant environmental legislation, including the 

Water Framework Directive (WFD).

The Habitats and Birds directives and the WFD are the main pieces of legislation ensuring the protection of Europe’s 

wetlands. The Natura 2000 network of protected sites and the integration of wetlands into future river basin manage-

ment planning (under the WFD) are helping to guarantee their future conservation and sustainable use.

The EU has been a major provider of funds for wetland conservation projects both within and outside the Union. 

The Commission’s financial instrument for the environment, LIFE, has been contributing to a large number of 

projects supporting the conservation of wetland ecosystems within the Natura 2000 network. This brochure 

presents a selection of these LIFE wetland projects. Most focus on the restoration and management of wetlands, 

while a number also target key wetland species. 

Looking to the future, it is expected that Member States will take full advantage of the renewed opportunities for 

funding wetland projects under the Commission’s LIFE+ programme, launched in 2007.

Peter Gammeltoft 

Patrick Murphy

Head of Unit – Protection of Water and Marine Environment 

Head of Unit – Nature & Biodiversity

European Commission, DG Environment 

European Commission, DG Environment

Foreword ...............................1

Europe’s wetlands – status 
and threats ........................... 3

EU wetland conservation  
policy .................................... 7

LIFE and Europe´s  
wetlands ..............................10

Wetlands in general ....... 11

Finland: Conserving and  
managing valuable  
wetland bird habitats...........12

Croatia: Promoting a  
‘wise use’ approach to  
the management of Lonjsko 
Polje Park ............................15

Hungary: Restoring wetlands 
in the Hortobágy .................16

Italy: Conserving wetland  
and other habitats in  
the Rhaetian Alps ................19

Latvia: Measures help  
conserve wetlands in  
Kemeri national park ...........20

Coastal wetlands ........... 21

Finland: Grazing wetlands  
for waders .......................... 22

Ireland: Realising a dream  
of an East Coast Nature 
Reserve .............................. 24

Italy: Conserving the  
Comacchio salt marshes ... 27

Spain: Cultivating  
alternatives to conventional 
rice farming ........................ 28

France: Working together for 
the eco-development of the 
Narbonnais lagoons ........... 30

Mediterranean  
wetlands ........................ 31

Spain: Reversing decades  
of environmental damage .. 32

Greece: Buffalo and cattle 
help to restore wetlands ..... 34

Spain: Conservation of  
wetlands of European  
importance in Andalusia..... 36

Mediterranean region:  
A permanent solution for  
temporary ponds ................ 38

Bogs ............................... 41

Scotland: Partnership aids 
large-scale restoration of 
active raised bogs .............. 42

The Netherlands: Using 
hydraulics to conserve  
the entire peat body of  
the Fochterloërveen ........... 44

Germany: Reversing the 
impact of drainage and peat 
digging and conserving  
corncrake habitat ............... 46

Wetland restoration ....... 49

Austria: Bog management .. 50

Germany: Bringing back  
bittern to Galenbeck  ......... 52

Germany: Restoring  
wetlands in the Dümmer 
region ................................. 55

Wetlands species ........... 57

Aquatic warbler .................. 58

Bittern ................................ 60

LIFE funding and other  
wetlands species ............... 61

Further projects focusing  
on wetlands ...................... 62

List of available LIFE  
publications ........................ 65

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 3

Europe’s wetlands 
– status and threats

Europe’s wetlands support a large diversity of plant and animal species and are also the source 

of a wide range of public goods and services, including tourism and the supply of fresh water. 

At the same time, however, wetlands are among the world’s most threatened ecosystems, with 

some 50% of all wetlands having disappeared in the last century.

Wetland concentration in some European countries (2000) 

Wetland concentration 
in Europe (2000)

Modelled wetland intensity

High: 100

Low: 0

No data

Outside data coverage

Wetlands  are  some  of  the  plan-

et’s  most  productive  ecosystems. 

Incredibly  biodiverse,  they  sustain 

some  of  Europe’s  most  important 

bird,  amphibian,  invertebrate  and 

plant  species  during  key  stages  in 

their life-cycle. They provide spawn-
ing grounds for fish and feeding and 

breeding  areas  for  many  migratory 

birds.  Representing  around  6%  or 

the  Earth’s  land  area  –  some  570 

million  hectares,  of  which  2%  are 

lakes,  30%  bogs,  26%  fens,  20% 

swamps,  and  15%  floodplains  – 

they  also  provide  important  goods 

and services to society.

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What are wetlands?

It is not easy to define precisely what 

wetlands are, with different interna-

tional  bodies  often  having  slightly 

different  definitions.  Wetlands  are 

not  exclusively  land  or  water  envi-

ronments.  They  encompass  both 

environments at the same time, or at 

least  most  of  the  time,  as  there  are 

also wetlands that can be seasonally 

aquatic or terrestrial. 

However,  in  general  wetlands  are 

those areas where water is the pri-

mary factor controlling the environ-

international effort made to protect 

Types of wetland in Europe

ment  and  the  associated  habitats.

these  important  habitats.  Accord-

They occur where the water table is 

ing to Article 1.1 of the convention, 

There  are  many  different  types  of 

at or near the surface of the land, or 

wetlands are:

wetland  in  Europe  and  their  clas-

where the land is covered by shal-

“areas  of  marsh,  fen,  peatland  or 

sification  is  not  easy,  due  to  their 

low water.

water,  whether  natural  or  artifi-

complexity, dynamic characteristics 

cial,  permanent  or  temporary,  with 

and their fluctuating and undefined 

Despite the range of definitions, the 

water that is static or flowing, fresh, 

borders. 

most  widely  accepted  definition  is 

brackish or salt, including areas of 

the  one  set  out  in  the  text  of  the 

marine  water  the  depth  of  which 

The wetlands habitats listed in Annex 

Convention  on  Wetlands,  signed 

at  low  tide  does  not  exceed  six 

I of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EC) 

in  Ramsar,  Iran,  in  1971,  the  first 

metres”.

and  included  in  the  Interpretation 

 
 
 
 
 
Manual of European Union Habitats 

Wetland habitats included in Annex I of the Habitats Directive 

– EU-27 (July 2007)1, are largely iden-

tified by their plant composition and 

in some cases by a range of ecologi-

cal characteristics. In all, the directive 

lists some 40 wetland habitat types. 

However,  for  the  sake  of  simplicity, 

wetlands  can  be  more  broadly  cat-

egorised into seven general types2:

Code

Habitat

1. Coastal and halophytic habitats

1130

1140

1150*

1160

1630*

1650

Estuaries

Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide

Coastal lagoons

Large shallow inlets and bays

Boreal Baltic coastal meadows

Boreal Baltic narrow inlets   

- marine and coastal wetlands

3. Freshwater habitats

- estuaries and deltas;

- rivers and floodplains

- lakes

- freshwater marshes

- peatlands

-  man-made wetlands, such as canals 

and reservoirs

Threats

Wetlands are among the most highly 

threatened ecosystems on the planet. 

They have suffered continuous deg-

radation and loss. According to Wet-

lands  International3,  an  NGO  dedi-

cated to wetlands’ preservation, some 

31 etc, 32 etc

All the habitats

7. Raised bogs and mires and fens

71 etc, 72 etc, 73 etc All the habitats

9. Forests

9030*

91D0*

91E0*

91F0*

92A0

92B0

92C0

92D0

Natural forests of primary succession stages of land upheaval coast

Bog woodland

Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, 
Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)

Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, 
Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulme-
nion minoris)

Salix alba and Populus alba galleries

Riparian formations on intermittent Mediterranean water courses with Rho-
dodendron ponticum, Salix and others

Platanus orientalis and Liquidambar orientalis woods (Platanion orientalis)

Southern riparian galleries and thickets (Nerio-Tamaricetea and Securine-
gion tinctoriae)

50% of the world’s wetlands have dis-

* Priority for conservation

appeared in the last century.

1 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/
legislation/habitatsdirective/docs/2007_
07_im.pdf
2 Wise use and conservation of wetlands, 
COM (95), European Commission
3 www.wetlands.org

For the most part, this loss and deg-

ing  of  dams,  to  mention  but  a  few 

radation  is  caused  by  drainage  for 

of  the  many  reasons  why  wetlands 

agriculture,  infrastructure  develop-

are deteriorating. Additionally, pollu-

ments, forestation and malaria con-

tion  from  agricultural  and  industrial 

trol,  blocking  and  extraction  of  the 

sources can increase the level of nutri-

water  inflow,  over-exploitation  of 

ents, pesticides or heavy metals, seri-

groundwater resources, or the build-

ously impairing ecological processes. 

Drainage is the main cause of wetland loss and degradation, especially in southern Europe 

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 5

Wetland habitat consumption by other land-cover categories (1990-2000)

(cid:27)’(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:29)(cid:7)(cid:8) (cid:10)(cid:24)(cid:7) (cid:11)(cid:20) (cid:6)(cid:5)(cid:11)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:5)(cid:12) (cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:10) (cid:23)(cid:24)(cid:12)(cid:11)(cid:9)(cid:13)(cid:12)(cid:7) (cid:22)(cid:5)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:7)(cid:8) (cid:17)(cid:16)(cid:30)(cid:18)

(cid:19)(cid:13)(cid:3)(cid:5)(cid:14)(cid:12) (cid:20)(cid:21) (cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:6)(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:9)(cid:22) (cid:8)(cid:9)(cid:11)(cid:7)(cid:8) (cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:10) (cid:9)(cid:6)(cid:21)(cid:3)(cid:5)(cid:8)(cid:11)(cid:3)(cid:24)(cid:22)(cid:11)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:8) (cid:25)(cid:16)(cid:26)(cid:18)

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6) (cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:9)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:11)(cid:9)(cid:5)(cid:12) (cid:8)(cid:13)(cid:3)(cid:5)(cid:14)(cid:12) (cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:17)(cid:18)

(cid:19)(cid:7)(cid:23)(cid:9)&(cid:6)(cid:5)(cid:11)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:5)(cid:12) (cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:11)(cid:9)(cid:20)(cid:6) $ (cid:27)(cid:20)(cid:6)(cid:8)(cid:24)(cid:23)(cid:13)(cid:11)(cid:9)(cid:20)(cid:6) %%(cid:16)(cid:26)(cid:18)

#(cid:5)(cid:11)(cid:7)(cid:3) (cid:4)(cid:20)(cid:10)(cid:9)(cid:7)(cid:8) (cid:22)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:5)(cid:11)(cid:9)(cid:20)(cid:6) (cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:10)
(cid:23)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:5)(cid:29)(cid:7)(cid:23)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:11) $ (cid:27)(cid:20)(cid:6)(cid:8)(cid:24)(cid:23)(cid:13)(cid:11)(cid:9)(cid:20)(cid:6) %(cid:16)(cid:17)(cid:18)

(cid:27)(cid:20)(cid:6)(cid:28)(cid:7)(cid:3)(cid:8)(cid:9)(cid:20)(cid:6) (cid:21)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:23) (cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:10)(cid:8) (cid:11)(cid:20) (cid:5)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:9)(cid:22)(cid:24)(cid:12)(cid:11)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:7) (cid:30)(cid:16)(cid:31)(cid:18)

Source: Corine land-cover (23 countries) - Copyright EEA, Copenhagen, 2006

 (cid:7)(cid:14) (cid:21)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:11) (cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:10) (cid:14)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:10)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:10) (cid:22)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:5)(cid:11)(cid:9)(cid:20)(cid:6)! (cid:5)(cid:21)(cid:21)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:11)(cid:9)(cid:20)(cid:6) "(cid:26)(cid:16)(cid:17)(cid:18)

All of this has resulted in the great 

ticular  concern.  Spain,  for  exam-

land  alone  have  reduced  the  wet-

majority  of  wetland  habitats  being 

ple,  has  lost  more  than  60%  of  all 

land area in Europe by some 60%. 

extremely vulnerable, with many of 

inland  freshwater  wetlands  since 

Despite global and national recog-

their dependent species also under 

1970.  More  northerly  regions  have 

nition of their importance, Europe’s 

threat.

also  suffered,  however.  In  France, 

wetlands  remain  under  severe 

67% of wetlands have disappeared 

pressure  from  changing  land  use 

Although  the  drainage  of  wet-

within  the  last  century.  Similarly, 

and pollution.

lands  has  been  common  prac-

since the 1950s, 84% of peat soils 

tice  in  Europe  for  centuries,  the 

have been lost in the United King-

extent  of  this  human  interven-

dom,  and  57%  in  Germany  due  to 

tion has increased significantly in 

drainage  for  agriculture  activities, 

the  past  century,  and  especially 

forestry  and  landfilling  for  urban 

in  the  last  50  years.  Some  two-

development.  Lithuania  has  lost 

thirds  of  the  European  wetlands 

70%  of  its  wetlands  in  the  last  30 

that  existed  100  years  ago  have 

years and the open plains of south-

been lost (European Commission, 

western Sweden have lost 67% of 

1995),  leading  to  a  substantial 

their wetlands and ponds to drain-

decrease in the number, size and 

age  in  the  last  50  years.  Overall, 

quality  of  the  natural  habitats  of 

drainage  and  conversion  to  farm 

Wetland loss in selected EU 
countries 1950-1985

Countries

The Netherlands

France

Germany

Spain

Italy

Greece

%

55%

67%

57%

60%

66%

63%

Species such as water-lily 
(Nymphaea alba) are first 
to disappear in the wake 
of wetland 
water-quality 
degradation

large  bogs,  marshes,  and  small 

or  shallow  lakes.  This  has  dra-

matically  altered  both  the  visual 

landscape and the environmental 

functions of these habitats. Even 

with  increased  awareness  and 

certain moves towards wetlands’ 

conservation,  this  trend  contin-

ues, albeit more slowly.

In  1995,  the  European  Envi-

ronment  Agency  (EEA)  esti-

mated  that  around  25%  of  the 

most important wetlands in Europe 

were  threatened  by  groundwater 

overexploitation. In the Mediterra-

nean basin, wetland loss is a par-

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Special wetlands: Peatlands – bogs, mires and fens

These  habitats  are  characterised  by  their  unique  ability  to 

accumulate  and  store  dead  plants  as  peat.  Under  certain 

conditions of low temperature, water saturation and lack of 

oxygen, dead vegetal material accumulates at a greater rate 

than  it  can  decompose,  leading  to  the  formation  of  peat. 

Depending  on  the  location  and  ecological  conditions,  dis-

tinctive fens and bogs can develop in this way.

Fens differ from bogs because they are much less acidic and 

have higher nutrient levels.

Requiring  more  northerly  climes,  bogs  mainly  occur  in  the 

Atlantic, Boreal, Alpine and some parts of Continental Euro-

pe’s biogeographical regions. 

Although  approximately  60%  of  the  world’s  wetlands  are 

peat, these areas are sensitive to even the slightest environmental changes. 

Warmer temperatures, for example, begin to dry out these habitats, resulting 

in their degradation and, ultimately, complete destruction. Palsa mires, Scan-

dinavian northern mire complexes with permanently frozen peat hummocks are 

already starting to melt as a consequence of rising temperatures.

Peatlands play an important role in the biosphere. They interact with funda-

mental life-support processes, involving biogeochemical cycling, food-chain 

support,  hydrological  dynamics  and  water  quality,  and  provide  habitats  for 

many characteristic (and some highly adapted) plant and animal species. 

Of particular importance is the role of peatlands as storehouses of large quanti-
ties of CO2, thus reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases. However, peatlands 
remain carbon ‘sinks’ only as long as they remain in good status. When dama-

ged, drained or burnt, or when peat is extracted for fuel, peatlands turn from 

being net carbon sinks to net carbon ‘sources’. Therefore, the maintenance of 

peatlands in good condition is an invaluable asset in the fight against climate 

change. 

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Sphagnum moss – the bog builder

What do wetlands do for us?

The  goods  and  services  that  wet-

lands  provide  to  humanity  are 

numerous and fundamental to meet-

ing some of our most basic needs. 

They  supply  us  with  much  of  our 

drinking  water  and  help  to  recycle 

our  groundwater.  They  allow  us  to 

irrigate farmland and harvest many 

species of fish and shellfish – more 

than two thirds of the fish we con-

sume are dependent on coastal and 

inland  wetland  areas.  They  also 

support  agriculture  through  the 

maintenance  of  water  tables  and 

nutrient  retention  in  floodplains. 

Many  other  resources  such  as 

sewage treatment, and often act as a 

Rice,  a  common  wetland  plant,  is 

peat, game and berries also come 

source of hydroelectricity. For untold 

an  important  agriculture  product 

from  wetlands.  For  example  the 

generations, we have also used them 

in  southern  European  countries. 

cloudberry  (Rubus  chamaemorus) 

to  support  our  transportation  and 

found in the aapa mires and raised 

communication needs, and as a very 

bogs  is  of  economical  importance 

important  space  for  recreation  and 

in northern European countries.

tourism activities.

Wetlands  are  also  an  effective 

Lastly, wetlands are vital carbon sinks 

buffer against flooding, as they can 

and, therefore, a crucial asset in the 

store water in their soil or retain it 

effort  to  reduce  the  levels  of  green-

as  surface  water,  thereby  slowing 

house gases in the atmosphere – wet-

down the rate of flooding.They are 

lands may account for as much as 40% 

also  nature’s  chemical  filter  ‘fac-

of global reserve of terrestrial carbon 

tories’  and  encourage  the  break-

and can make an important contribu-

down  of  nutrients  and  sediments 

tion in combating climate change.

carried in water. They play a role in 

Wetlands are ideal for recreation 
and tourism activities

Despite  all  of  these  benefits  and 

services,  wetlands  continue  to  be 

among  Europe’s  most  threatened 

ecosystems. 

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 7

EU wetland conservation policy 

Wetlands were one of the very first nature conservation subjects ever put forward for European 

and international policy consideration. Outlined below is a brief overview of the subsequent  

evolution of these policies over the last 30 years. 

International wetlands policy initially 

came  about  as  a  result  of  pressure 

from bird enthusiasts, as wetlands are 

habitats of vital importance for birds 

and are among the core areas in the 

migration flyways of bird species. It 

was the response to international bird 

conservation concerns that resulted in 

the first major international agreement 

on wetlands, the Ramsar Convention. 
This agreement, which also happened 

to be the first modern global intergo-

vernmental treaty on the conservation 

and sustainable use of natural resour-

ces, was signed in the Iranian city of 

Ramsar in 1971 and came into force 

four years later.

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The Ramsar Convention does not pro-

Wetlands are among the key areas in migration flyways of birds

vide for supranational bodies such as 

the European Community to become 

directly relevant to the conservation and 

biodiversity  policy.  The  aim  of  the 

contracting  parties.  However,  since 

wise use of wetlands. It also emphasi-

network  is  to  assure  the  long-term 

the adoption of the Birds Directive in 

ses the links to other relevant environ-

survival  of  Europe’s  most  valuable 

1979  (79/409/EEC)  and  the  Habitats 

mental legislation, including the Water 

and threatened species and habitats. 

Directive  in  1992,  an  ambitious  and 

Framework Directive (WFD).

It comprises Special Areas of Conser-

comprehensive legislative and policy 

framework  has  been  put  in  place  at 

Natura 2000 network

EU level to respond to the challenges 

vation (SACs), designated by Member 

States under the Habitats Directive, 

and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), 

of the International Convention on the 

Established under the Habitats Direc-

which  Member  States  designated 

conservation and wise use of wetlands 

tive, Natura 2000, the EU-wide eco-

under the 1979 Birds Directive. Wet-

and their resources. As a contracting 

logical  network  of  protected  areas, 

lands represent a significant number 

party to the Convention on Biological 

is the centrepiece of EU nature and 

of Natura 2000 sites.

Diversity  (CBD),  the  European  Com-

munity has taken decisive steps to fulfil 

its commitments under the Convention 

and to meet the target defined by the 

Heads of State and Government, to halt 

biodiversity loss by 2010. In May 2006, 

the European Commission adopted a 

Communication  on  Biodiversity  and 

an action plan1 which defines priority 

actions  to  meet  this  target.  Many  of 

the objectives, targets and actions are 

1 COM/2006/0216 final: Halting the loss 
of biodiversity by 2010 - and beyond - 
Sustaining ecosystem services for human 
well-being

MedWet
The Mediterranean Initiative on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, or 

‘MedWet’, was founded in 1991 with the aim of encouraging international 

collaboration among Mediterranean countries, specialised wetland cen-

tres and NGOs in protecting regional wetlands. It is a forum for 25 Medi-

terranean countries to meet and to identify key issues and take positive 

action to protect wetlands. In 2002, MedWet became a formal inter-regio-

nal structure for the implementation of the Ramsar Convention and now 

serves as a model for regional wetland cooperative structures elsewhere. 

Several LIFE projects contributed to the implementation of the MedWet 

initiative (www.medwet.org).

 
 
EU Birds Directive

The  EU’s  early  work  on  wetlands 

conservation  was  a  product  of  the 

UN Conference on the Human Envi-

ronment, held in Stockholm in 1972. 

The Community’s first Environmental 

Action  Programme  was  adopted  a 

year later and then, in 1979, the Birds 

Directive was adopted. 

With  the  aim  of  conserving  wild 

birds,  the  directive  explicitly  reco-

gnises the need for the protection of 

wetlands as a vital habitat for water 

birds. Subsequently, between 1984 

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and 2006, Community actions rela-

Wetlands are a vital habitat for water birds

ting  to  the  environment  were  sup-
ported by LIFE and its predecessor, 

Member States are required under 

Importance (SCIs), covering an area 

ACNAT.  Funding,  both  within  and 

the directive to designate wetlands 

of 626,870 km2 and corresponding 

outside  the  Union,  was  allocated 

of international importance for birds 

to  12.8%  of  the  EU’s  total  surface 

to  projects  related  to  the  mainte-

as SPAs. As of June 2007, from the 

area. Within the directive, lagoons, 

nance,  restoration  or  improvement 

4,830  SPAs  proposed  by  the  EU-

Mediterranean  temporary  ponds, 

of wetland sites, many of which were 

27 Member States, 645 were listed 

active  bogs,  wet  meadows  and 

Special Protection Areas (SPAs), as 

as Ramsar Wetlands of Internatio-

calcareous  fens  were  highlighted 

classified under the Birds Directive, 

nal  Importance.  This  represents 

as  habitat  conservation  priorities. 

and  listed  as  Ramsar  Wetlands  of 

a  large  number  of  SPAs  and  an 

A  large  number  of  proposed  SCIs 

International Importance. 

important  contribution  to  the  pro-

include  wetland  habitats  and  spe-

tection  of  wetlands  in  the  Natura 

cies  such  as  amphibians,  water 

The  new  LIFE+  programme  (2007-

2000 network.

2013) will continue financing wetland 

plants  and  invertebrates,  and  are 

also  listed  as  Ramsar  Wetlands  of 

conservation, among other issues. 

In August 2007, the journal Science 

International Importance.

published  a  BirdLife  International 

The EU has also provided funds for 

study  that  showed  that  the  Birds 

wetland conservation projects through 

Directive  has  made  a  significant 

other instruments, such as the PHARE 

difference in protecting many of the 

Programme,  within  the  Common 

continent’s  most  threatened  birds 

Agricultural  Policy  and  through  the 

from further decline2.

European  Bank  for  Reconstruction 

and Development. 

EU Habitats Directive

Communication on Wise Use 
and Conservation of 
Wetlands

In its 1994 work programme for the 

implementation  of  the  5th  Environ-

mental Action Programme, the Com-

mission included the Communication 

on the Wise Use and Conservation 
of  Wetlands  (1995)3.  This  was  the 
first European document dedicated 

In 1992, the Community adopted the 

Habitats  Directive,  which  provides 

a  framework  for  the  conservation 

of natural habitats of wild flora and 

exclusively  to  the  conservation  of 

fauna.

wetlands. The communication pro-

vided the strategic basis for a wet-

As of June 2007, the EU-

lands’ policy, spelling out the issues 

27 Member States had 

that negatively affect wetlands and 

proposed  21,474 

providing  an  outline  of  the  actions 

Sites of Community 

that need to be taken. 

2 Paul F. Donald et al. International Con-
servation Policy Delivers Benefits for Birds 
in Europe. Science, 10 August 2007

3 COM/95/189 FINAL http://eur-lex.
europa.eu/COMIndex.do?ihmlang=en

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Curlew (Numenius 
arquata), a species 
very dependent 
on wetlands

 
 
 
 
 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 9

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Implementation of the WFD and EU nature conservation policy are the best guarantees of wetland protection

Water Framework Directive

WFD and wetlands

The  wetlands’  communication  was 

As  the  WFD  provides  a  new  fra-

overtaken in 2000 by the Water Fra-

mework  for  integrated  river  basin 

mework Directive – WFD - (2000/60/

management, it offers a platform to 

EC  establishing  a  framework  for 

address wetland-related issues. The 

WFD,  as  in  many  cases,  additional 

effort leads to enhanced results. 

Other European legislation 
related to wetlands

Community action in the field of water 

directive  clearly  identifies  the  need 

Other European legislation also has 

policy)4. The WFD is the most substan-

for the protection and restoration of 

relevance  to  wetland  conservation, 

tial piece of EU water legislation thus 

wetlands, but it does not provide any 

in  particular  when  it  comes  to  the 

far  and  aims  to  overcome  the  frag-

specific definition of what a wetland 

prevention  of  pollution.  Examples 

mentation of European water policy. It 

is, nor does it provide details on how 

include the Nitrates Directive (91/676/

requires all inland and coastal waters 

wetland should be used to achieve 

EEC),  the  Groundwater  Directive 

to reach ‘good status’ by 2015. 

the WFD objectives. Recognising this, 

(2006/118/EC), and the Urban waste 

a Horizontal Guidance on the Role of 

water (91/271/EEC) Directive.

This is to be achieved by establishing a 

Wetlands  in  the  Water  Framework 

River Basin Management Plan, within 

which specific environmental objecti-

ves and a corresponding programme 

Directive  (Guidance  Document  No. 
12)5  was  drafted.  This  document, 
though  non-legally  binding,  is  the 

There  is  also  the  recently  adopted 

Flood Risk Management Directive6, 

which is directly relevant to wetlands. 

of measures are set. This approach 

most up-to-date reference document 

The directive will be implemented in 

ensures that water is managed on the 

for European wetland policy. 

conjunction  with  the  WFD,  notably 

basis of the river basin – the natural 

through the coordination of flood risk 

geographical and hydrological unit – 

The  Guidance  Document  was  pre-

management  plans  and  river  basin 

rather than administrative or political 

pared to assist Member States with 

management  plans,  and  through 

boundaries.  Some  Member  States 

the implementation of the WFD with 

the coordination of public participa-

had already employed cross-border 

regard to wetlands and the link with 

tion  procedures  in  the  preparation 

co-operation, covering the Danube, 

EU nature conservation policy, in par-

of  these  plans.  In  their  favourable 

the Rhine, the Maas and the Schelde 

ticular the Habitats and Birds direc-

conservation status, wetlands play a 

river basins.

tives. However, it goes further than 

vital role in water retention and act as 

this,  also  outlining  best  practices 

an important buffer zone in the pre-

beyond the legal requirements of the 

vention of flooding.

4 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/Lex-
UriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2000:327:0001:0072:
EN:PDF

5 http://www.wrrl-info.de/docs/Guidance_
doc_12_Wetland_final_171203.pdf

6 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAc-
tion.do?reference=IP/07/565

 
LIFE and Europe´s wetlands

Launched in 1992, LIFE (the Financial Instrument for the Environment) spearheads Community 

environment policy. LIFE co-finances environmental initiatives in the EU, certain third countries 

bordering the Mediterranean and the Baltic Seas, and some EU candidate countries. The LIFE 

programme1 is divided into three thematic components: LIFE-Nature; LIFE-Environment; and LIFE-

Third Countries. To date, the programme has co-financed some 2,750 projects, with a budget of 
over (cid:2)1.6 billion.

1 A new LIFE+ programme has recently been launched covering the period 2007-2013, For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/life/

Of  these,  since  1992,  LIFE  has  co-

funded around 120 wetlands-related 

projects across the nature, environment 

and third countries’ thematic compo-

nents. Almost all of these projects have 
been oriented towards nature conser-

vation, reflecting the biodiversity value 

of the wetlands habitats. 

This brochure examines those LIFE 

projects  that  directly  target  wet-

lands’ ecosystems within the Natura 

2000 network of sites. The majority 

of these projects focus on the resto-

ration and management of wetlands, 

with some projects targeting specific 

wetlands bird species, and thus con-

tributing to the implementation of the 

Habitats and Birds directives. 

LIFE Nature Co-op projects and wetlands

‘Co-op’ measures were aimed exclusively at supporting the exchange of expe-

rience among LIFE-Nature projects. They had to involve at least three ongoing or 

past LIFE-Nature projects targeting similar nature conservation subjects, e.g. the 

same species or habitat type or groups, similar nature conservation themes or 

issues relating to communications, management planning, or exchange among 

those who share nature areas, such as farmers, foresters, fishers, etc.

Of the ten Co-op-financed projects, there were three that directly targeted the 

exchange of experiences on the issue of habitat and species management: 
(cid:2)  Best practices in Finnish wetlands - networking for improved wetland mana-

gement (LIFE2002NAT/CP/FIN/27) 

(cid:2)  Handbook for actions to promote Bittern in Europe (LIFE2003NAT/CP/D/9)

(cid:2)  Experience  exchange  on  habitat  management  among  Baltic  LIFE-Nature 

projects (LIFE2003NAT/CP/LV/10)

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/life3/components/components_nat.htm

Furthermore, most projects support 

such activity represent a small sam-

projects  that  have  also  targeted 

The  projects  chosen  to  illustrate 

ronment  and  LIFE-Third  Countries 

the Ramsar Convention and are indi-

ple  of  the  many  LIFE  projects  that 

wetlands.

rectly linked to the implementation 

have  addressed  wetlands  issues. 

of the Water Framework Directive by 

Beyond those LIFE-Nature projects 

For  further  information,  see  the 

maintaining or improving water qual-

directly  concerned  with  wetlands, 

LIFE  website:  http://ec.europa.eu/

ity and the status of ecosystems.

there  are  many  other  LIFE-Envi-

environment/life/

Re-wetting of the western Lake Dümmer fen area – Lower Saxony, Germany

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 11

Wetlands in 
general

Since the birth of civilisation, wetlands – those transitional regions between 

terrestrial and aquatic systems – have provided a wealth of services to society. 

Representing around 6% or the Earth’s land area – some 570 million hectares, of which 

2% are lakes, 30% bogs, 26% fens, 20% swamps, and 15% floodplains, they also supply 

the water that an enormous range of plant and animal species require for their day-to-day 

existence. However, wetlands are among the most highly threatened ecosystems on the planet, 

with some 50% of the world’s wetlands having disappeared in the last century. Since 1992, LIFE 

has co-funded around 120 wetlands-related projects across the nature, environment and third 

countries’ thematic components. Almost all of these projects have been oriented towards 

nature conservation, reflecting the biodiversity value of the wetlands habitats. 

Wetlands in general

Finland: Conserving and managing 
valuable wetland bird habitats

This influential LIFE project helped to reconcile the needs of nature conservation, fishing, hunting 

and tourism at five of the most important wetland bird habitats in southwestern Finland: the two 

estuaries; Mietoistenlahti and Oukkulanlahti and the three shallow lakes; Koskeljärvi, Otajärvi and 

Omenajärvi. More than 20 species listed in the EU Birds Directive nest in the area or stop over 

during migration. 

Baltic coastal meadows support important bird habitats

With  the  decline  of  grazing  over 

The  project  locations,  all  Natura 

nature conservation, fishing, hunting 

the past 20 years – in some places 

2000 sites, are popular with fisher-

and tourism. 

the  practice  had  been  abandoned 

men, boaters, hikers and bird-watch-

altogether – the wet meadows that 

ers.  But,  prior  to  the  LIFE  project, 

What did LIFE do?

once surrounded these waters had 

which was launched in the summer 

become  overgrown.  This  led  to  a 

of  1999,  there  were  no  restrictions 

The  project  was  implemented  by 

decline in populations of water bird 

on  their  use  and  no  infrastructure 

Metsähallitus,  the  Finnish  Forest 

species  such  as  the  ruff  (Philoma-

was  in  place  to  guide  visitors  on-

and Park Service, in partnership with 

chus  pugnax)  –  a  migratory  wader 

site.  Since  the  project  areas  were 

the five municipalities for the project 

whose favoured breeding habitat is 

used  for  a  variety  of  purposes,  it 

areas and the SW Finland Regional 

the  bogs,  marshes  and  wet  mead-

was vital that all parties concerned 

Environment  Centre.  New  use  and 

ows of northern Europe and Russia. 

should be committed to participatory 

management  plans  were  drawn 

The gradual overgrowing of the shal-

project planning and management. 

up for each of the areas and exist-

low lakes also became problematic 

Thus, the objective of this 56-month 

ing  plans  were  revised  in  an  effort 

for other reasons.

project was to reconcile the needs of 

to  resolve  conflicting  pressures. 

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 13

Special  care  was  also  taken  to 

ensure that the growth in eco-tour-

ism in these areas was sustainable. 

This included the provision of train-

ing to local tourism entrepreneurs. 

To  facilitate  implementation  of  the 

management plans, the project pur-

chased land in the project areas. 

Management  measures  included 
clearing  and  mowing  overgrown 

waterside meadows to enable graz-

ing on at least 100 ha. For the first 

time  in  Finland,  Warnstorfia  moss 

was removed from a 10 ha expanse 

within  lake  Otajärvi  (this  species 

tends to choke other vegetation). 

As a small but vital part of the project, 

the non-native predators, mink (Mus-

tela  vison)  and  raccoon  dog  (Nyc-

tereutes procyonoides) were hunted 

systematically.  Local  hunters  were 

enlisted  to  help  establish  the  best 

hunting method. 

Signposted nature trails were laid out 

and explanatory panels, towers and 

observation points were erected for 

Bird observation tower built by the LIFE project

the  benefit  of  bird  watchers.  Other 

actions  included  the  building  of  a 

New  management  plans  were 

The project offered training to local 

marina  at  Mietoistenlahti  bay  with 

drawn  up  for  four  of  the  sites  and 

tourism entrepreneurs. The benefici-

anchorages set up on lakes Otajärvi 

the  existing  plan  for  Mietoisten-

ary actively encouraged farmers to 

and Koskeljärvi. Old waterfront build-

lahti was revised in order to resolve 

apply for agri-environment support, 

ings were also demolished.

conflicting  pressures.  Special  care 

and  in  Oukkulanlahti  and  Otajärvi 

What was the outcome?

eco-tourism  in  the  area  would  be 

mental  support  for  grazing  within 

was  given  to  ensure  that  growing 

farmers  applied  for  agri-environ-

compatible  with  sustainable  use. 

the SPA. 

The project made a significant con-

However,  hunting  issues  were  the 

tribution  to  the  conservation  and 

most  problematic  in  some  sites 

Trapping and eradicating mink and 

management  of  the  five  sites.  By 

(especially in Koskeljärvi).

raccoon dogs was carried out in all 

April  2004,  the  official  end  date 

five locations by local hunting clubs. 

of  the  project,  all  the  main  actions 

The main results included:

The number of volunteers required for 

had  been  successfully  completed, 

(cid:2)  The purchase of 194 ha via project 

this work was far more than foreseen 

with  the  exception  of  the  manage-

co-financing and a further 100 ha 

–an indication of the effort required to 

ment plans. The management plan-

through national funds.

achieve this action. The LIFE project 

ning work load was intense over the 

(cid:2)  On-site  restoration  actions  were 

identified the best hunting methods 

duration  of  the  project,  especially 

carried out on the purchased land, 

and  periods.  The  trapping  of  small 

in  terms  of  involving  local  people 

for  instance  130  ha  of  meadow 

predators has now been reinforced 

and  all  the  different  stakeholders. 

was cleared and entered into agri-

as part of the management of these 

However, the beneficiary continued 

environmental schemes.

sites.  This  work  also  improved  the 

the planning work after-LIFE (more 

(cid:2)  Mowing was carried out on 100 ha.

co-operation  between  hunters  and 

below) and was able to complete the 

(cid:2)  Boating was restricted in certain 

the nature conservation administra-

plans in early 2005.

sensitive areas. 

tions within the project areas.

Wetlands in general

At  the  end  of  the  project,  it  was 

external monitoring team. It showed 

clear  that  long-term  monitoring 

that the beneficiary and one of the 

would be required in order to assess 

partners,  the  SW  Finland  Regional 

the impact of the project’s measures 

Environment  Centre,  have  contin-

on  breeding  and  staging  bird  spe-

ued  the  management  of  the  areas 

cies.  Project  actions  did  however 

as  foreseen  in  the  management 

restore  the  overgrown  meadows 

plans, which, with the exception of 

and  increase  areas  of  open  water. 

Mietoistenlahti  were  finalised  and 

Additionally,  restrictions  on  boat-

approved after the project. The man-

ing  or  other  activities  potentially 

agement  plans  were  approved  for 

disturbing  breeding/staging  birds 

the state-owned areas in Metsähal-

were applied or proposed, and the 

litus. However, the approval for pri-

trapping  of  small  predators  was 

vately-owned areas is voluntary and 

strengthened.  Visitor  control  was 

dependent on whether the landown-

also implemented by directing visi-

ers agree on the actions included in 

tors to bird observation towers and 

the plans. This caused some prob-

relocating jetties.

The removal of water mosses, car-

lems with respect to agreement on 

the  hunting  restrictions  in  some 
project  areas  (mainly  in  Otajärvi). 

A meadow cleared by grazing,  
supported by agri-environmental  
schemes

ried out in Otajärvi, turned out to be 

Hunting in Natura 2000 sites is quite 

less successful in ecological terms. 

a contentious issue in Finland.) The 

The systematic trapping of the small 

Removal did increase the free water 

partner SW Finland REC is still trying 

predatory mammals (American mink 

area above the moss carpet, which 

to find an agreement on the limiting 

and raccoon dog) has not continued. 

is  important  for  water  birds,  made 

of the hunting in part of Otajärvi.

According  to  the  beneficiary,  this 

the new carpet thinner and slowed 

was mainly because this is a volun-

down the return of the water moss 

The  land  acquisition  in  the  project 

teer activity and therefore difficult to 

carpet.  Unfortunately  this  action 

areas, notably in Mietoistenlahti and 

continue after the project.

alone, proved ineffective in helping 

Oukkulanlahti has continued in the 

to restore Otajärvi, but together with 

project areas after-LIFE with national 

Finally,  the  monitoring  of  the  man-

raising water levels and decreasing 

funding.  Currently  around  90%  of 

agement results and effects on the 

nutrient  input  to  the  lake,  it  would 

the  land  area  in  Mietoistenlahti  is 

habitats  and  species  (e.g.  birds)  is 

make a difference.

either owned by the state or private 

planned  under  the  updating  of  the 

landowners have established private 

management plans due in 2012.

Life after LIFE

nature conservation areas. The cor-

responding figure for Oukkulanlahti 

The  project  methodology  (partici-

is around 75%.

patory preparation of management 

plans) has been widely used in other 

The management of restored coastal 

Finnish LIFE-Nature projects target-

meadows  has  continued  and  also 

ing wetlands. The experience of this 

some  new  pastures  have  been 

project  has  already  been  used  by 

established.  The  management  is 

another  Finnish  project  to  protect 

funded from the Finnish agri-environ-

and  manage  the  valuable  wetland 

mental  programme.  The  harrowing 

of  Siikalahti,  a  five  kilometre  bay 

of the coastal line in Mietoistenlahti 

in  Lake  Simpelejärvi,  located  in 

has  also  continued.  Furthermore 

south Karelia on the Russian border 

the clearing of the nesting islets in 

(LIFE00/NAT/FIN/007061. The ben-

Otajärvi was repeated in 2006. The 

eficiary has also been active in the 

coastal  meadows  of  Mietoisten-

ongoing Finnish wetlands manage-

lahti  are,  thanks  to  the  restoration 

ment co-op project (LIFE02 NAT/CP/

and  management  actions,  among 

FIN/000027), which was launched in 

the best managed coastal meadow 

2002.

habitats in the country. Thousands 

of birds stop over in the area during 

A follow-up study of the project was 

the migration season and also sev-

carried out in June 2007 by the LIFE 

eral waders are nesting there.

Project Number:  
LIFE99 NAT/FIN/006278 

Title:  
Management of the most valuable 
wetlands in SW Finland

Beneficiary:  
Metsähallitus - Forest and Park 
Service 

Contact: Jouko Hogmander

Email:   
jouko.hogmander@metsa.fi 

Website:  
http://www.metsa.fi/page.
asp?Section=2192 (Finnish) 
http://www.metsa.fi/page.
asp?Section=2817 (English) 

Period:  
Aug-1999 to Apr-2004 
Total Budget: (cid:2) 1,430,000 
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 715,000 

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 15

Croatia: Promoting a ‘wise use’ 
approach to the management 
of Lonjsko Polje Park 

Capacity building, raising awareness and promoting wider stakeholder participation were the 

main ingredients of success for this LIFE-Third Countries project located in Croatia’s Lonjsko Polje 

nature park 

Set  in  the  floodplains  of  the  Mid-

What was the outcome?

dle  Sava  River  Basin  in  Posavina, 

the Lonjsko Polje Park covers over 

The  project  ran  for  three  years  and 

50,000 hectares of wetlands and rep-

on completion had successfully met 

resents the largest floodplain area of 

its objectives. Over the project dura-

the  Danube  River  catchment.  It  is 
both a Ramsar site and an Important 

tion,  the  number  of  permanent  staff 
employed at the park was increased 

Bird Area and hosts seven habitats 

from six to nine, and the park authori-

and 89 species listed in the Habitats 

ty’s capacity was reinforced through 

Directive.

training and the upgrading of equip-

ment. In addition, the project estab-

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In  1998,  the  Croatian  government 

lished a network of visitor and infor-

established the Lonjsko Polje nature 

mation centres. 

park  public  service  (the  project 

LIFE actions targeted the protection of 
the park’s rich biological and landscape 
diversity 

beneficiary)  to  protect,  maintain 

A number of dissemination and aware-

ticipation at both planning and imple-

and  promote  the  park.  The  author-

ness-raising actions were also carried 

mentation stages – although the ben-

ity manages the site in accordance 

out,  including  seminars  and  study 

eficiary reports that this objective was 

with Ramsar Convention guidelines 

tours on basic ecology, communica-

the most difficult to achieve. Neverthe-

–  placing  emphasis  on  good  man-

tion, interpretation (guiding) and moni-

less, a stakeholder committee was set 

agement and on stakeholder partici-

toring.  The experience and the results 

up and co-operation was established 

pation.  However, at the time of the 

were published in a ranger’s handbook, 

with  various  organisations  including 

project launch (in 2001), it was clear 

which was presented at regional and 

the Croatian water and forest authori-

that it did not possess the capacity to 

national  level  and,  according  to  the 

ties, the police, building services, live-

meet its management goals. It was, 

beneficiary, has generated a high level 

stock  breeders,  and  nature  conser-

therefore  suggested  that  capacity 

of interest. In addition, the beneficiary 

vation  and  environmental  protection 

building, awareness-raising and the 

hosted a GIS (Geographic Information 

organisations.

wider  participation  of  stakeholders 

Systems) training course which also 

were  needed  to  further  implement 

proved popular among participants.

international  and  national  policies 

within the park.

The beneficiary also delivered a number 

of lectures targeted at local schools, 

Title: Towards wise use in Lonjsko 
Polje Nature Park

Project Number: 
LIFE00 TCY/CRO/000076

The overall project objective was to 

farmers, students, and experts.  These 

develop  and  improve  the  Ramsar 

helped to gain support for the park and 

‘wise use’ approach to the manage-

to generate greater awareness of ways 

ment  and  promotion  of  the  park. 

of meeting recreational needs whilst 

Specifically, the project focused on: 

also  addressing  conservation  con-

(1) protecting its biological and land-

cerns. The project also gathered feed-

scape diversity; (2) improving its ben-

back  from  visitors  on  the  measures 

efits for the local people; (3) raising 

implemented by the project. In general, 

public  awareness;  and  (4)  insuring 

this feedback was “very positive”. 

effective and environmentally-sound 

water  management  for  the  whole 

Despite some difficulties, the project 

Sava River Basin.

managed to involve stakeholder par-

Beneficiary: 
Lonjsko Polje Nature Park Public 
Service

Contact: Goran Gugic

Email: goran.gugic@sk.hinet.hr

Website: 
www.pp-lonjsko-polje.hr 

Period: 
Aug-2001 to Jul-2004   
Total Budget: (cid:2) 535,000 
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 332,000

      
 
 
Wetlands in general

Hungary: Restoring wetlands  
in the Hortobágy

Over the past 200 years, the steppe-like Hortobágy region in eastern Hungary has come under 

repeated assault, particularly its being disconnected from the life-giving Tisza River. But by res-

toring wetlands in this region much spoken of in Hungarian poetry and song, this LIFE project is 

also restoring a piece of the Hungarian soul.

The  broad,  wind-swept  Hortobágy 

holds  a  special  place  in  the  imagi-

nation of the Hungarian people. This 

steppe-like  region  in  eastern  Hun-

gary  is  part  of  the  Alföld,  or  Great 

Hungarian  Plain,  and  was  desig-

nated a national park in 1973 – the 
country’s first national park. 

Unfortunately,  over  the  past  200 

years,  the  region  has  come  under 

repeated  assault.  The  list  of  inflic-

tions to the ecosystem is long: sec-

tions were drained; certain pusztas 

(prairies)  were  cultivated  and  dis-

connected from the Tisza River; its 

marshlands  and  sodic  lakes  were 

converted to fish ponds; in its alka-

line grasslands and meadows, vast 

paddy fields were created; and dam-

aging alien species were introduced. 

The Pannonic steppe is regularly flooded in Hungary’s Hortobágy region

Moreover, natural rivers were trans-

formed  into  channels;  settlements 

1. Elimination of an unused chan-

2. Removal of woody growth from 

and farmhouses foreign to the land-

nel network

the puszta

scape  were  built;  the  ancient  graz-

  Nearly 300 water control struc-

  The  beneficiary  also  removed 

ing system was destroyed; and tra-

tures  were  removed  from  the 

bushes  and  scrub  (nearly  3,000 

ditional domestic animal types were 

puszta,  which  were  later  recy-

woody  plants),  most  of  which 

displaced. 

2005

cled as roads for local villages. 

were low-value, invasive species 

Over  100  kilometres  of  chan-

introduced artificially to Hungary.

Despite these problems, the Horto-

nels and banks were eliminated 

bágy  puszta  remains  an  important 

with heavy equipment, resulting 

3.  Creation  of  artificially  flooded 

habitat  for  numerous  birds,  and  a 

in  rainwater  forming  shallow 

wetland habitat 

group of naturalists, with help from 

pools  of  about  200  hectares  in 

  Due to the presence of some irri-

LIFE-Nature,  have  been  steadily 

the  puszta.  This  rehabilitation 

gation channels still in use, whose 

working  towards  restoration  of  the 

process  can  be  compared  to 

elimination  was  not  permitted, 

region to its original pre-18th Cen-

an operation on a human body: 

certain  shallow  ponds  that  had 

tury conditions. 

they  cut  a  single,  rapid  but 

formed in old riverbeds had been 

What did LIFE do?

healing wound in the landscape 

left  without  a  sufficiently  large 

so as to ensure a long life. The 

catchment  area  and  hence  with 

w o u n d   h e a l e d   f a s t ,   a n d   t h e 

scarce water supply even in wet 

To restore the region, the Hortobágy 

original vegetation re-colonised 

years. Thus in Nagy-Vókonya, the 

Environmental  Association  (HEA), 

almost  entirely  in  place  of  the 

beneficiary managed to artificially 

the  beneficiary,  engaged  in  three 

backfilled  channels  by  the  fol-

flood by gravity one of these areas 

main activities: 

lowing year. 

covering 200 ha. 

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 17

What was the outcome?

In  all,  shallow-water  habitats  were 

enlarged from 37 ha to 295 ha, via 

inundation  and  the  elimination  of 

channels.  The  group  continues  to 

work  on  the  elimination  of  paddy 

fields and irrigation  systems in  the 

pusztas  of  Hortobágy,  which  will 

not only protect wetland habitat, but 

also  facilitate  rainwater  retention. 

However, to ensure that the results 

of  the  restoration  work  would  be 

preserved, the beneficiary turned to 

traditional grazing.

Preservation via cattle grazing

The history of Hortobágy reveals that 

swards (grassy meadows) of the Hor-

tobágy steppe can only be preserved 

LIFE enhanced habitat conditions for Annex I bird species, such as the spoonbill  
(Platalea leucorodia)

and used by applying grazing stock 

livestock population, new, tradition-

Plants and animals return

of  indigenous  breeds.  Any  other 

ally designed summer shelters and 

attempts to maintain and exploit this 

windbreaks were constructed from 

One of the favourable changes in the 

area  have  been  doomed  to  failure. 

natural materials. Winter fodder for 

flora  is  that  most  of  the  damaged, 

Re-establishment  of  the  traditional 

the  animals  was  produced  outside 

dried  out  habitats  in  the  wetland 

grazing system, however, serves both 

the grazing area.

the interests of conservationists and 

habitat were transformed into valua-

ble alkaline meadow and marshland 

people living near the Hortobágy.

By  the  end  of  the  project  dura-

vegetation. Rare aquatic (Lemnetea) 

tion, the number of native livestock 

and  mudflat  (Nanocyperion)  plant 

To  ensure  the  conditions  for  tradi-

(Hungarian  flecked  and  Hungarian 

assemblages appeared in the area, 

tional herding of grazing stock, the 

grey cattle, Mangalica pigs,  Racka 

with  one  species  endemic  to  the 

shelters and well-sweeps were ren-

sheep  and  goats)  was  increased  

Carpathian Basin, namely the Hun-

ovated. Also, due to the enhanced 

by 1,040. 

garian  elatine  (Elatina  hungarica). 

On the project site, 288 plant spe-

cies were recorded over the course 

of the project period.

The difference between grazed and 

ungrazed areas was studied with the 

help of terrestrial arthropod monitor-

ing.  From  2003  to  2005  altogether 

22,463  terrestrial  arthropods  were 

recorded,  12,942  of  which  were 

found in the grazed units, and 9,521 

were  observed  in  the  ungrazed 

tracts. The survey substantiated that 

the  high  intensity  of  grazing  has  a 

beneficial effect both on the insect 

fauna  and  the  birdlife  feeding  on 

them in the pannonic salt steppes.

Thatched summer shelters built to ser-
vice the enhanced livestock population, 
including the Mangalica pig

Wetlands in general

Grazing by indigenous stock breeds keeps the grass short and is beneficial to both insect fauna and birdlife

Additionally, between 2002 and 2006 

steppes and marshes’ across some 

Furthermore, otter (Lutra lutra) occu-

225 bird species were observed on 

10,000  hectares  of  the  Hortobágy 

pied all stagnant waters, ferruginous 

the project site. It is noteworthy that 

National Park. 

13 of the recorded bird species are 

duck  (Aythya  nyroca)  bred  and  the 

European pond turtle (Emys orbicu-

included in the IUCN Red List Spe-

The project planned to eliminate the 

laris) re-colonised suitable habitats. 

cies  published  in  2004.  By  2006,  a 

artificial  factors altering the natural 

total  of  96  breeding  species  were 

micro-topography of the flood plain 

The project also reconstructed small 

recorded,  11  of  which  are  strictly 

area by levelling down or filling in a 

areas  of  special  soil  surface  micro-

protected  by  national  legislation. 

total of 360 km of artificial dykes and 

forms, which are a special habitat type 

Of the Birds Directive Annex I spe-

irrigation channels. 

cies after the restoration, in 2004 up 

of salt steppes. In 2003, 514 dotterels 

(Charadrius morinellus) were observed 

to 56 pairs and in 2005 63 pairs of 

Like the first Hortobagy project, the 

on these patches, the highest number 

water  bird  species  were  nesting  in 

marsh  rehabilitation  also  involved 

ever recorded. 

Nagy-Vókonya.  Furthermore,  while 

intensive grazing methods, this time 

in 2003 only 7,603 water birds were 

to re-create the unique mosaic of alka-

estimated to have appeared on habi-

line wet and dry grassland patches. 

tats in place of the former, damaged 

Intensive grazing of cattle keeps the 

paddyfield, following the restoration 

grass short and gives the competi-

works, in 2004, 61,248 and in 2005, 

tively-weak plant associations such 

96,755 individuals could find a roost-

as the Puccinellio-Salicornetea (habi-

ing, foraging and stopover habitat on 

tat 1310) the space to spread in suit-

the project site.

able solonetz soil areas. 

Steppe and marsh  
rehabilitation 

The project provides enhanced habi-

tat conditions for 37 species of birds 

listed in Annex I of the Birds Direc-

A similar and complementary project 
was  undertaken  in  the  region, 

tive. Population growth was already 

seen during the project in important 

but  this  time  with  the  Hortobágy 

species  such  as  bittern  (Botaurus 

National  Park  Directorate  in  the 

stellaris), common crane (Grus grus), 

role of LIFE beneficiary. The project 

aquatic warbIer (Acrocephalus palu-

aimed to restore the ‘Pannonic salt 

dicola) and great bustard (Otis tarda). 

Project Number:  
LIFE02 NAT/H/008638 

Title:  
Habitat management of Hortobágy 
eco-region for bird protection 

Beneficiary:  
Hortobágy Environmental Association 

Contact: Zoltán Ecsedi 

Email:   
hortobagy.te@chello.hu

Website:  
www.hortobagyte.hu  

Period:  
Jul-2002 to Jun-2006  
Total Budget: (cid:2) 830,000 
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 622,000  

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 19

Italy: Conserving wetland and other 
habitats in the Rhaetian Alps  

Four of the five management plans developed for Natura 2000 sites in the Rhaetian Alps under 

this LIFE project have already been adopted and implemented by local authorities. This experien-

ce provides an excellent model for other similar wetland areas.

The Rhaetian Alps in northern Lom-

ral structure. The area is also subject 

bardy  host  five  Natura  2000  sites, 

to increasing tourist pressure, which 

covering more than 12,000 hectares, 

needs to be managed to avoid further 

typical of the rich diversity of wetlands 

damage.

and alpine meadows of the region. At 

the bottom of the valley lies Pian di 

What did LIFE do?

Spagna, a Ramsar site (designated a 

wetland area of international impor-
tance) with alluvial forests, reedbeds 

The  LIFE  project  was  run  by  Ente 
Regionale per i Servizi all’Agricoltura 

and open water. It is ecologically con-

e  alle  Foreste,  the  regional  body 

nected to the other four sites, passing 

which  manages  state-owned  for-

through several vegetation types ris-

estry  and  agriculture.  Its  overall 

Alpine wetland site in northern  
Lombardy

ing to alpine level (the highest point is 

objective was to introduce the man-

3,367 metres), boasting typical alpine 

agement  of  the  five  Natura  2000 

Finally, the impact of tourism on sen-

flora and fauna.

sites  as  a  network.  As  a  first  step 

sitive areas was reduced through the 

a GIS database was set up in order 

creation  of  paths  and  observation 

Among  the  habitats  of  Community 

to  define  the  location  and  state  of 

points  to  drive  and  regulate  move-

importance  identified  in  the  five 

conservation of the habitats, identify 

ment  and  access  of  visitors.  The 

sites, some are particularly sensitive 

priority areas of intervention and pro-

awareness-raising campaign included 

to  human  activities.  These  include 

vide data for site management plans. 

the  development  of  a  website,  the 

species  rich  Nardus  grasslands, 

(Four of the five plans have already 

erection  of  information  panels,  the 

alpine pioneer formations of Caricion 

been adopted and implemented by 

production of handouts, guided visits, 

bicoloris-atrofuscae, residual alluvial 

local  authorities  on  behalf  of  the 

seminars and environmental educa-

forests and Tilio-Acerion (mix of ash, 

regional administration.)

tion in local schools. 

elm and lime) ravine forests. Among 

the major threats to the sites are the 

Habitat  management  actions  were 

silting  up  of  wetland  habitats  and 

based on the most urgent conserva-

overgrowth of grasslands, the spread 

tion needs. They included the restora-

of alien species, reed-bed and forest 

tion of canals, opening up fire breaks 

fires, and degradation of forest natu-

in reed-beds, elimination of alien spe-

cies in alluvial forest through selective 

felling and re-creation of plots of this 

habitat in selected sites. 

Actions  carried  out  in  the  mountain 

areas included the restoration of silted 

up springs and bogs, the elimination 

of  sweet  chestnut  trees  from  Tilio-

Acerion  forests,  mowing  of  Nardus 

grasslands  and  beech  forest  man-

agement in order to protect the beetle 

Rosalia alpina. 

Monitoring the mountain wetlands 
conservation status

Project Number:  
LIFE03 NAT/IT/000139

Title:  
RETICNET. 5 SCI for the conserva-
tion of wetlands and main habitats 

Beneficiary:  
Ente Regionale per i Servizi 
all’Agricoltura e alle Foreste, Italy

Contact:  
Antonio Tagliaferri

Email:   
antonio.tagliaferri@ersaf.lombardia.it

Website:  
www.lifereticnet.it/

Period:  
Jun-2003 to Dec-2006
Total Budget: (cid:2) 1,811,000
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 906,000

Wetlands in general

Latvia: Measures help conserve  
wetlands in Kemeri national park 

This project provided the first step in the implementation of a nature management plan to protect 

the exceptionally rich wetland biodiversity of one of the Latvia’s most important wetland regions.

Ķemeri national park is one of Latvia’s 
first national parks. Established in 1997 

1930s and parts of the natural river-

beds  were  transformed  into  artificial 

What was the outcome?
All the objectives were fully met. The 

and covering over 38,000 hectares, it 

drainage systems, thereby preventing 

work to restore the natural flood plain 

hosts over 30 habitats of Community 

the seasonal flooding that is so impor-

meadows  along  the  river  Slampe 

importance  including  mire  woods, 

tant for the birds. There were also more 

– started earlier, but completed under 

black alder swamps, raised bogs, rich 

recent pressures from housing and rec-

LIFE, is particularly innovative as this 

fens and coastal dunes. This diversity 

reation, as the park in located just 30 

involved the full-scale re-meandering 

of  habitats  harbours  populations  of 

km west of the Latvian capital Riga.

of a straightened river course – a re-

important  wetland  species  listed  in 
the Birds and Habitats directives such 

as corncrake (Crex crex), lesser spot-

What did LIFE do?

naturalisation solution that was new 
to Latvia. A little-known method (cre-

ating  dams  from  peat  using  heavy 

ted eagle (Aquila pomarina), spotted 

The  project  was  run  by  the  Kemeri 

machines)  was  also  successfully 

crake (Porzana porzana), and yellow 

national park administration, a gov-

introduced under the bog restoration 

lady’s slipper (Cypripedium calceolus). 
Located within the park, Lake Kaņieris 
is  designated  as  an  internationally 

ernment  body  responsible  for  the 

work. According to the project’s After-

conservation and management of the 

LIFE conservation plan this provided 

park. In 2001, with support from the 

valuable experience that will be used 

important wetland under the Ramsar 

Danish  environmental  consultancy, 

in future restoration work for the Zal-

Convention and is an important site for 

CarlBro,  the  beneficiary  drew  up  a 

ais and Raganau bogs.

migratory and nesting birds. The park 

nature protection (management) plan 

is also a proposed Natura 2000 site.

for the park, together with guidelines 

for its practical implementation. The 

At the beginning of the project, large 

LIFE project, launched the following 

parts of the park were not in a good 

year, was the first step towards imple-

state  of  conservation.  The  outer  rim 

mentation of the plan. 

of the raised bog was drying out as a 

result of a series of ditches dug in the 

The main nature management actions 

Now, visitors are able to see the results 
of the restored water level in the park

LIFE restored the natural hydrological 
regime of the area

in  the  plan  included  the  restoration 

of 105 hectares of natural flood plain 

meadows along the river Slampe, in 

close  cooperation  with  landowners 

and  farmers,  and  the  restoration  of 

the natural hydrological regime of the 

active raised bog (4,635 ha) through 

the blocking of ditches. (For example, 

on the Lielais Kemeri bog, dams were 

constructed to block the 22 drainage 

ditches that had been built. This helped 

to  decrease  the  discharge  of  water 

from the bog and the bog periphery. At 

the same time, the level of forest roads 

(4.5 km) was also raised to compen-

sate for the rising level of ground water 

as  a  result  of  blocking  the  ditches.) 

Action to help conserve bird colonies 
at the lake Kaņieris Ramsar site was 
also proposed.

Project Number:  
LIFE02 NAT/LV/008496  

Title:  
Conservation of wetlands in Kemeri 
National Park 

Beneficiary:  
Kemeri National Park 

Contact: Janis Kuze  

Email:   
gatis.pavils@kemeri.gov.lv

Website:  
www.kemeri.gov.lv/life/life_index.htm 

Period:  
Sep-2002 to Dec-2006  
Total Budget: (cid:2) 1,321,000  
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 991,000   

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 21

Coastal wetlands

Coastal wetlands, including salt marshes or other marshes sub-

ject to tidal flooding and normal wind tides, provide breeding grounds and 

habitats for many marine organisms as well as for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other 

wildlife. They also protect against flooding and help maintain water quality. Furthermore, 

these coastal environments are important economically, generating employment in both the 

tourism and commercial fishery industries. Coastal wetlands come under assault in particular 

from residential and commercial development, agricultural and urban run-off, shoreline modi-

fication, municipal waste disposal, oil spills, and over-harvesting of resources.

Coastal wetlands

Finland: Grazing wetlands for waders

This LIFE–Nature project concerns the restoration of 12 Natura 2000 sites by cutting the over-

grown reed beds and restoring the Baltic coastal habitats by reintroducing grazing and involving 

the local population and farmers.

The Northern Coastal Gulf of Finland is 

that they host 35 species mentioned in 

ing  local  municipalities  and  other 

one of the main bird migration routes 

Annex I of the Birds Directive. Impor-

interest  groups.  It  involved  a  range 

across northern Europe and an impor-

tant  species  such  as  the  whooper 

of  activities,  including  the  develop-

tant flyway for waterfowl and waders 

swan (Cygnus cygnus), the whistling 

ment of management plans for Natura 

that winter in the southern part of the 

swan  (Cygnus  columbianus)  and  the 

2000 sites in close consultation with 

Baltic Sea and along the coasts of the 

smew  (Mergus  albellus)  use  these 

experts,  local  inhabitants  and  land 

North Sea. Every spring and autumn, 

sites  as  resting  areas.  They  are  also 

owners trying to resolve potential or 

large numbers of birds migrate through 

important habitats for many plant and 

existing conflicts between conserva-

the Gulf of Finland, stopping over to rest 

insect species mentioned in the Habi-

tion and other land uses.

or feed, and sometimes also to breed 
in the area.

tats Directive. A major part of the large 
white-faced darter dragonfly (Leucor-

In  order  to  restore  the  coastal  wet-

rhinia pectoralis) population in Finland, 

lands, reed beds, trees and bushes 

These  wetlands  are  home  to  a  wide 

and of the entire Natura 2000 network, 

had  to  be  cleared.  Two  innovations 

range of species and habitats, which 

lives within the project areas.

from other Finnish LIFE projects were 

are dependent on the regular natural 

flooding of the Baltic brackish waters. 

What did LIFE do?

The Boreal Baltic costal meadows1 are 

adapted  for  this  purpose:  crushing 

and rotovation 2 of the reed roots. The 

normal mechanical cutting was found 

one of the special habitats (considered 

The main goal of the project was to 

to be unsuitable for restoring coastal 

priority for conservation under Annex I 

restore  the  natural  ecology  of  the 

meadows as it was time consuming 

of the Habitats Directive) that are char-

coastal  wetlands  and  meadows, 

and  expensive,  mainly  because  it 

acterised by low-growing plant com-

which are important for waders and 

involves a second step of collecting 

munities  in  the  shore  zone,  and  that 

waterfowl during their migration and 

the cut reeds. It was also unsuitable 

are flooded by the brackish water with 

nesting period. The project aimed to 

for places where the siltation process 

almost no tidal influence. 

increase the diversity of habitats, cur-

was already too advanced.

rently dominated by reed beds, by re-

Most of these areas were traditionally 

establishing the costal meadows and 

The crushing technology involves the 

used for mowing or grazing, keeping 

opening pools that favoured species, 

use of a special machine with blades 

the vegetation low and rich in vascular 

mainly insects, which are dependent 

similar  to  those  used  in  machines 

plants, and were, therefore, suitable for 

on open waters.

nesting waders. Today, they are mainly 

designed  for  cutting  roadside  veg-

etation. The crusher can be fixed to a 

covered with high vegetation reed beds 

The project was run by the Uusimaa 

tractor or, on softer and wetter ground 

(Phragmites australis) and are undergo-

Regional  Environment  Centre  and 

to  an  all-terrain  tracked  articulated 

ing a process of overgrowing due to the 

the Southeast Finland Regional Envi-

disappearance of the grazing activities 

ronment Centre along with 11 other 

and increased nutrient levels. In some 

partners and 16 co-financers includ-

places, the process is so advanced that 

2 Motorised system that works the soil by 
means of rotating blades

also trees and bushes have started to 

Before and after the mowing and cutting of reed beds in Gammelbyviken Natura 2000 site

encroach, further accelerating the dete-

rioration of these important wetlands.

The  present  LIFE-Nature  project 

focuses on 12 specific sites along this 

flyway, covering a total of 3,630 ha. All 

are considered internationally valuable 

bird-rich wetlands by virtue of the fact 

1 1630* - Boreal Baltic coastal meadows

2004

2006

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 23

vehicle. The crushed material is left in 

meadows  has  been  followed  up  by 

the soil, providing nutrients that pro-

extensive  monitoring.  Bird  counting 

mote further growth and leading to the 

was  carried  out  before  the  actions, 

need for cutting every 2-3 years. This 

in the autumn of 2003 and spring of 

technique is therefore only really effec-

2004, and then again after the project 

tive where there is grazing after cutting, 

was completed, in the autumn of 2006 

or recurrent cutting.

and spring of 2007. Waders and water 

fowl benefited considerably from the 

In order to restore all the area of the 

project, in particular the restoration of 

costal  meadows,  cutting  all  the  way 

open costal meadows. In several areas, 

to the water shore is necessary. This 

the number of waders resting during 

requires the use of special equipment 

migration increased significantly. After 

that can operate in soft and flooded ter-

restoration,  the  meadows  became  a 

rain. The surface soil was rotovated to 

very important place for several spe-

Cattle were introduced, avoiding the need 
for further cutting and thus maintaining
favourable conditions for birds

a depth of 10-20 cm, impeding growth 

cies during the migration period. Water 

included  35  information  boards,  six 

in subsequent years. Altogether, 161 ha 

birds (especially ducks) also found new 

nature  trails  and  the  construction  of 

of coastal meadows were cleared dur-

feeding places and numbers increased 

14 bird watching towers.  During the 

ing the project.

significantly after the project was com-
pleted. Nesting birds, such as the lap-

project,  the  group  of  environmental 
educators  established  a  guidebook, 

After  cutting,  cattle  and  sometimes 

wing (Vanellus vanellus) and common 

Retkelle kosteikkoon, for teachers and 

horses  were  introduced  in  order  to 

redshank  (Tringa  totanus)  also  ben-

educators and designed special cards 

keep the vegetation short, avoiding the 

efited from the project.

need for further cutting in most parts 

about wetland species, which can be 

used for field trips or in the classroom. 

of the meadows and thus maintaining 

In terms of vegetation, the effects were 

favourable conditions for bird species. 

monitored  through  aerial  pictures, 

The  projects  proved  successful  in 

Agreements between farmers and the 

which  showed  the  presence  of  new 

enhancing  the  management  of  Nat-

public land manager, Metsähallitus (a 

shore  plant  species  and  the  decline 

ura 2000 sites that are important bird 

project partner), allowed for the estab-

of reeds (see pictures before and after  

resting and breeding areas along the 

lishment of 177 hectares of enclosed 

p. 22).The new pools were also moni-

migratory areas of the Gulf of Finland. 

pastures on previously cut areas. 

tored  for  the  presence  of  insects 

It also succeeded in securing the long-

– especially the dragonfly (Leucorrhinia 

term management of coastal habitats 

Some small predators, such as raccoon 

pectoralis). 

dogs and American mink, which are not 

by involving local farmers in their man-

agement  and  encouraging  them  to 

indigenous to Finland, are a threat to 

The project included the preparation of 

apply for agri-environmental support. 

the birds during the nesting period and 

10 management plans for the Natura 

Several  restored  areas  are  already 

can have a negative impact on breed-

2000  sites.  These  plans,  which  have 

managed by livestock grazing, which 

ing  success.  Therefore,  the  project 

legal  recognition,  specify  the  current 

is supported through agri-environmen-

promoters,  in  cooperation  with  local 

uses of the areas and the conservation 

tal programmes.

hunters associations, financed the pur-

status of the species and habitats. They 

chase of traps, which the local hunters 

also define the future funding source, as 

then armed and monitored. As a result 

well the parties involved in the manage-

of this initiative, 1,310 raccoon dogs 

ment of the areas. This project used a 

and 391 mink where trapped. The suc-

participatory approach in the prepara-

cess of the initiative was demonstrated 

tion of the plans. Farming activities were 

by the success of nesting birds.

closely linked to the management of the 

The project also included the creation 

restored areas and the maintenance of 

of small water ponds in the middle of 

the habitats after the project. 

the costal meadows in order to provide 

habitat for wetland-dependent insects, 

The conservation and management of 

such as the large white-faced darter. 

the  project  areas  and  the  increasing 

What was the outcome?

presence of birds attracted consider-

able interest and appreciation among 

local  inhabitants.  As  a  result,  the 

The  effects  of  the  project  actions  in 

project developed a system to control 

the  restoration  of  the  Baltic  costal 

recreational access to the areas. This 

Project Number:  
LIFE03 NAT/FIN/000039

Title: Management of wetlands along 
the Gulf of Finland migratory flyway

Beneficiary:  
Uusimaa Regional Environment  
Centre, Finland

Contact: Ilpo Huolman

Website:  
www.ymparisto.fi/lintulahdetlife

Period:  
Jul-2003 to Jun-2007
Total Budget: (cid:2) 3,290,000 
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 1,645,000 

Coastal wetlands

Ireland: Realising a dream  
of an East Coast Nature Reserve 

BirdWatch Ireland is currently restoring a wetland nature reserve, close to Dublin, as part of a 

four-year LIFE-Nature project to protect threatened water birds and rare fen habitats and to  

provide access to visitors. The relatively small-scale East Coast Nature Reserve, located within 

the Murrough Wetlands, demonstrates at national level the potential for reversing damage to 

wetlands in Ireland.

Oran O’Sullivan, the project manager 

Calcareous fen, an EU priority habi-

Deep drains cut across the land and 

of the beneficiary, BirdWatch Ireland, 

tat;  wet  grasslands  and  birch  and 

biodiversity was low overall. The fen 

is a man with a mission: his long-held 

alder woodland. The fen is the most 

was in a degraded state. Drains and 

dream  of  realising  a  nature  reserve 

important habitat for flora, while the 

planted  conifers  were  drying  it  out 

along the country’s east coast, close 

grasslands and pools provide crucial 

and willow invaded from neighbour-

to  an  urban  population,  is  nearing 
completion thanks to co-funding from 

nesting and feeding areas for highly 
endangered  species:  Greenland 

ing woodland.

the LIFE-Nature programme.

white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons 

O’Sullivan praises the board of Bird-

The  90-hectare  reserve  was  pur-

cygnus),  and  other  bird  species  as 

chased  at  the  start  of  the  project, 

the kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and little 

to help promote conservation needs 

egret (Egretta garzetta).

flavirostris),  whooper  swan  (Cygnus 

across  the  whole  Murrough  –  a  15 

Watch Ireland’s “far-sighted” decision 
in 2003, to fund its share of the € 2.1 
million project by selling off its prime 

head-office premises in central Dub-

lin  and  re-locating  to  more  modest 

km long, but narrow coastal wetland 

Ireland has a long history of damage 

offices, close to the project site. “By 

complex,  bounded  on  its  seaward 

to wetlands caused by drainage and 

cashing-in  our  Dublin  property,  we 

side by a shingle ridge. The reserve, 

agricultural reclamation. The reserve’s 

were able to purchase the land and 

at  Blackditch  Wood,  County  Wick-

wet  grasslands  had  been  used  for 

immediately  begin  the  restoration 

low,  harbours  three  main  habitats: 

intensive  sheep  and  cattle  grazing. 

works,” he says.

Aerial view of the East Coast Nature Reserve at Blackditch Wood, County Wicklow

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 25

What did LIFE do?

around the scrapes has also recorded 

numerous  mallard,  over  30  greylag 

Led by the project officer, Jerry Wray, 

geese (Anser anser) and snipe (Gall-

the  main  actions  have  focused  on 

inago gallinago), some 200 teal (Anas 

these three main issues: 

crecca) and up to 300 wigeon (Anas 

(cid:2)  Water management

(cid:2)  Restoration grazing

penelope). 

(cid:2)  Tree and scrub removal

Restoration grazing

Water management

Prior  to  purchase,  intensive  cattle 

(and sheep) grazing on the wet grass-

Improved habitat would be delivered 

land  areas  had  damaged  the  habi-

through actions to reverse the drying 

tat and was threatening the value of 

out  of  the  wetlands.  This  involved 

the site for wetland plants and water 

improving the hydrology of the fen by 

birds.  However,  the  introduction  of 

raising water levels and by the control 

‘low intensity’1 restoration grazing by 

of water flow through the installation 

cattle is proving adequate for habitat 

of  sluice  gates.  The  sluices  enable 

restoration and is also providing suit-

the  control  of  water  flow  between 
and within the different habitats on 

able feeding conditions for both win-
tering and breeding birds through the 

the  reserve.  Water  levels  are  main-

creation of ‘tussocks’ (tufts, or thick 

tained in the fen throughout the year, 

clumps  of  coarse  grass  or  sedge). 

but  are  dropped  in  the  grasslands 

Says O’Sullivan, this low-level graz-

during the summer months to allow 

ing has proven beneficial both to the 

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cattle grazing. 

project and to the grazers (two neigh-

bouring  land-owners).  Crucially,  no 

The  drainage  ditches  at  Blackditch 

money changes hands: “We need to 

Young ornithologist attends the project 
open day in September 2007

with unconventionally steep sides have 

have the wetlands grazed in the sum-

life in the wet conditions of the fen 

been re-profiled and cut so that one 

mer. In return, they maintain fences 

and are proving their worth in its res-

side is more gently-sloping. This has 

and provide machinery, for example, 

toration. 

increased ecological value by promot-

tractors should we need them. It’s a 

ing emergent insect life and allowed 

kind of barter system and it works.”

Tree and scrub removal

an easier access to water birds. 

The removal of planted trees (which 

In  the  fen,  low-intensity  grazing  by 

together  with  the  encroachment  of 

Open  water  areas  (‘scrapes’)  have 

Kerry  Bog  ponies  (see  box)  helps 

scrub  had  reduced  the  overall  size 

been  created,  which  successfully 

control  encroaching  coarse  herba-

of the fen) has proved the most time 

attract water birds, including the tar-

ceous species and encourages spe-

consuming element of the restoration 

get species: little egret (where, follow-

cial fen plants and grasses, such as 

work. Two elements were essential, 

ing the actions, up to four birds have 

saw sedge (Cladium mariscus). With 

the  removal  of  a  plantation  of  the 

been  recorded)  Greenland  white-

their hardy pedigree, these diminutive 

American lodgepole pine (Pinus con-

fronted  goose  (up  to  six  birds)  and 

ponies are remarkably well-suited to 

torta) and the control of a large per-

whooper swan (up to 14 birds). Moni-

centage  of  the  invasive  willow  and 

toring of bird numbers from within and 

1 less than 0.5 livestock units/ha

gorse (Ulex). 

Kerry Bog Pony

The Kerry Bog Pony is a rare breed of horse similar to the Shetland pony in sta-

ture. Also referred to as ‘Heritage Ponies,’ these diminutive horses were originally 

bred in the 17th Century as workhorses. Their strength and resilience made them 

ideal for hauling turf from peat lands, seaweed from the shore and even as a 

mode of travel. Unfortunately, by the late 20th Century the pony population in 

Ireland was on the brink of extinction, dwindling to only 20 individuals in 1994. 

Today, under the auspices of the Kerry Bog Pony Co-Operative Society and local 

breeders, there are approximately 130 individuals in the country. The ponies were 

donated to the project by the NGO, Genetic Heritage Ireland.

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Coastal wetlands

‘Target’ bird species benefiting from LIFE actions

towards Natura site designation. This 

Little egret

This all-white heron is regularly seen about the reserve 

feeding  in  the  drainage  ditches  and  pools.  The  birds’ 

bright yellow feet act as a lure for fish.

Whooper swan 

is changing.”

Blackditch is an historic site for win-

tering whooper swan, the greylag and 

Greenland white-fronted goose. Prior 

to purchase of the site these species 

had only been infrequently recorded. 

Since BirdWatch Ireland took over the 

management of the site, they have all 

been recorded, including increasing 

Closely related to the more familiar mute swan (Cygnus 

numbers of little egret and many other 

olor) a small flock spends the winter at the nearby Kil-

bird species. 

coole Marshes SPA (Special Protection Area). The project 

has put up decoys or models of the birds to encourage 

Access to the reserve is currently limited 

them to land on the reserve. 

Kingfisher 

Kingfishers feed in the drainage ditches where they dive 

from their perches into the water. 

Greenland white-fronted goose 

This  goose  has  only  been  seen  on  the  reserve  a  few 

times, but a similar goose, the greylag, is often seen and 

in large numbers. The team has also deployed decoys of 

this species in order to encourage them. 

to supervised open days and school 

visits. But by spring 2008, the public 

will have full access via several paths 
and with the hide built under LIFE.

Life after-LIFE

Looking to the future, as the work on 

this project draws to a close O’Sullivan 

says he would like to work with more 

local land-owners using this site as a 

demonstration of good management 

practices. The beneficiary is also seek-

ing additional funding to support the 

on-going maintenance of the reserve 

after-LIFE. In addition, there are plans 

for a possible, follow-on project target-

ing the purchase and restoration of old 

farm buildings, located just off-site, to 

Winches  were  used  to  minimise  the 

white-fronted goose, for the first time 

provide an education and visitor cen-

use of heavy machinery in the fen with 

in over a decade.

tre for the reserve.

all the material chipped adjacent to the 

fen. “We thought we were going to be 

What was the outcome?

able to sell-on this timber, but because 

of  the  difficulty  of  getting  onto  the 

The beneficiary has worked hard at 

water-logged  land,  no-body  wanted 

informing people of its work at Black-

it,” says O’Sullivan. The control of the 

ditch  –  organising  especially  at  the 

invasive willow on the main body of the 

beginning, a number of public meet-

fen was only possible using chainsaws. 

ings  to  explain  the  project’s  aims, 

The  tussocky  nature  of  the  ground 

as well as open days for the public. 

made  vehicular  access  impossible, 

According to O’Sullivan, at the early 

and felled material had to be burnt in 

meetings there were some concerns, 

situ or extracted and chipped.  

particularly among farmers, that they 

were going to flood the land. Now, he 

The removal of trees on the grassland 

says, there is a clearer understanding 

areas of the site has created an open 

and support for what they are doing: 

area  over  part  of  the  reserve.  This 

“This awareness-raising was needed 

has encouraged geese, which prefer 

and has been good for the project and 

exposed situations. This has resulted 

for the environment…Traditionally in 

in  regular  goose  usage,  including 

Ireland, there has been a rather nega-

increasing  number  of  Greenland 

tive impression among land-owners 

Project Number: 
LIFE03 NAT/IRL/000107

Title: Restoration and management 
of the Murrough Wetlands for Annex 
I Habitats and Waterbirds 

Beneficiary: 
BirdWatch Ireland

Contact: 
Oran O’Sullivan 

Email:  
oosullivan@birdwatchireland.ie

Beneficiary website: 
www.birdwatchireland.ie/Default.
aspx?tabid=226

Period: 
Jul-2003 to Dec-2007
Total Budget: (cid:2) 2,130,000
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2)1,597,000

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 27

Italy: Conserving the Comacchio  
salt marshes

Targeting the restoration of a section of the salt marshes of Comacchio, this project demonstra-

ted that abandoned habitats can become important areas for nature conservation and species 

protection.

The Comacchio lagoons – situated 

Environmental  characteristics  were 

on  the  Adriatic  coast  of  the  Emi-

studied  and  monitored  in  order  to 

lia-Romagna  region  of  Italy  –  are 

assess  the  effects  of  the  project 

part of the Po Delta  wetlands, one 

actions and to define a management 

of  the  country’s  most  important 

plan for the area. In addition, facilities 

wetland  areas.  In  the  northeast 

to reduce the disturbance to wildlife 

section,  the  coastal  lagoons  were 

caused by visitors were set up. These 

artificially  transformed  to  take  in 
seawater, which was then evapora-

direct  site  management  activities 
were backed up by public education 

ted to produce salt. Although man-

and awareness campaigns.

made,  these  salt  marshes  provide 

ideal  conditions  for  the  growth  of 

Project actions included the overhaul 

halophytic plants and are attractive 

of the hydraulic network and the reac-

resting grounds for numerous spe-

tivation of the salt works according 

cies  of  water  birds.  Located  in  the 

to traditional salt production practi-

Po  Delta  Regional  Park,  the  site  is 

ces. A particularly innovative aspect 

recognised as a Special Protection 

of the project was the installation of 

Area  (SPA)  for  birds  and  a  Site  of 

a system to monitor and survey the 

Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Community Importance (SCI) under 

chemical  and  physical  parameters 

the Habitats Directive. 

of  the  water  in  the  lagoon.  Power 

for  future  conservation.  Moreover 

lines, which are a hazard to the many 

the restoration of the salt works and 

The  salt  works  at  Comacchio 

species of nesting birds, were also 

its opening to the public is likely to 

ceased  operating  in  1984.  Since 

buried or removed. 

then  the  seawater,  which  originally 

increase tourist interest in this  site 

and  ensure  direct  benefits  to  the 

replenished the evaporation basins, 

What was the outcome?

local economy.

has no longer been regulated. Rain-

fall  and  insufficient  inflow  of  salt 

The project’s main objectives, inclu-

water  from  the  sea  have  contribu-

ding the adoption of a site manage-

ted  to  a  gradual  fresh-watering  of 

ment  plan,  were  met:  water  circu-

the lagoons, which are, as a result, 

lation  was  re-established  in  order 

slowly losing their distinctive ecolo-

to  protect  the  typical  habitats  and 

gical features.

What did LIFE do?

species of coastal lagoons and salt 

production was recovered in a small 

section  of  the  western  part  of  the 

salt  marsh.  New  bird  nesting  sites 

The five-year LIFE-Nature project was 

were established and the quality of 

implemented by the Emilia-Romagna 

the landscape was improved consi-

regional authority. Its main objectives 

derably. 

were to restore a 600 ha section of 

the salt marshes and to promote the 

The  full  impact  of  these  interven-

recovery of habitats and associated 

tions  can  only  be  assessed  in  the 

water  bird  species,  such  as  terns 

longer  term.  Meanwhile,  however, 

(Sterna bengalensis, Sterna hirundo, 

the Po Delta Park is continuing the 

Sterna  albifrons)  and  gulls  (Larus 

management  of  the  restored  salt 

melanocephalus, Larus genei). 

marsh area – providing a guarantee 

Project Number:  
LIFE00 NAT/IT/007215

Title: Environmental restoration and 
conservation of the habitat of the Salt-
pan of the SCI Comacchio Marshes

Beneficiary:  
Regione Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Contact: Stefano Corazza

Email:  
scorazza@ibc.regione.emilia-
romagna.it

Website:  
http://www.lifenatura.it/emilia-
romagna/LifeSALINA/life230frame.htm

Period:  
Jul-2001 to Sep-2006
Total Budget: (cid:2) 1,597,000 
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 639,000 

Coastal wetlands

Spain: Cultivating alternatives 
to conventional rice farming 

Agricultural activities, in particular rice farming and the associated use of pesticides, have had a 

considerable impact on the Ebro delta wetland system. However, this LIFE project showed how 

alternative rice-farming methods are perfectly compatible with the protection of one of the most 

important wetlands in the Mediterranean. 

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Alternative agricultural management models were employed alongside conventional farming methods

The Ebro river delta, a Spanish wet-

plain forests, most of the delta is now 

included the experimental cultivation 

land system of some 32,000 hectares, 

occupied by rice paddies. The impact 

of 60 hectares of rice fields, employ-

is a vital staging point on bird migra-

of such agricultural activities and the 

ing  different  management  models 

tion routes at the European level. As 

accompanying use of pesticides has 

– organic farming, farming with agri-

such, it is one of the most important 

effected  significant  changes  to  the 

environmental methods and conven-

wetlands in the Mediterranean, and a 

resting place for a wide range of birds 

listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. 

local hydrology, produced eutrophica-
tion1  and damaged the natural aquatic 
environments of the delta, particularly 

tional farming methods – in order to 

establish the economic and technical 

viability  of  models  compatible  with 

More than 180,000 waterfowl spend 

the lagoons and marshes. 

the conservation and regeneration of 

the  winter  in  the  delta,  and  another 

environmental assets. 

40,000 pairs nest there. It has been 

What did LIFE do?

both designated as a Special Protec-

Specifically, the project carried out a 

tion Area for birds and included in the 

This LIFE co-funded demonstration 

comparative analysis of four different 

Ramsar list of internationally impor-

project,  developed  by  the  Spanish 

farming systems in the Delta, where 

tant wetlands. 

Ornithological Society (SEO/BirdLife), 

rice  cultivation  is  the  main  activity, 

Although  significant  natural  areas 

still remain, such as coastal lagoons, 

marshes, springs, dunes and flood-

1 Eutrophication: the over-enrichment of 
a water body with nutrients, resulting in 
excessive growth of organisms and deple-
tion of oxygen concentration

affecting  up  to  65%  of  the  32,000 

ha: set-aside of rice fields, traditional 

rice growing, agri-environmental and 

organic systems. 

 
 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 29

“Riet Vell” reserves) to recover natu-

ral habitats. 

Agronomic and ecological monitor-

ing was carried out on all the plots, 

with  an  external  advisor  analys-

ing  the  economic  viability  of  the 

organic  farming.  This  monitoring 

demonstrated that alternative meth-

ods (and particularly organic ones) 

resulted  in  clear  improvements  for 

the  fauna  and  flora  present.  Feed-

ing habitats for bird species clearly 

improved  by  using  alternative  rice 

farming  methods,  whether  organic 

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or agri-environmental. 

Furthermore,  the  results  also 
showed that both organic and agri-

With 180,000 waterfowl wintering and another 40,000 nesting there, the Ebro river 
delta is one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean

What was the outcome?

(Chilo suppressalis). Since 1999 the 

rice had been sown from a helicop-

environmental  farming  were  profit-

A  total  of  12  ha  were  cultivated 

ter  instead  of  being  planted.  This 

able,  even  if  yields  were  slightly 

using  conventional  farming  meth-

solution produced a decrease in the 

below those of conventional farming 

ods on land rented by SEO/BirdLife. 

costs and greater plant densities. 

and  production  costs  were  higher. 

Another 11.1 ha were also rented for 

These  alternative  systems  could 

growing rice in accordance with the 

Agri-environmental  farming  meas-

be  economically  viable  as  long  as 

regulatory board for Organic Agricul-

ures were implemented across 11.7 

they  receive  support  in  the  way  of 

ture. In these plots, rice was planted 

ha in accordance with the specifica-

agri-environmental  subsidies,  or 

but no fertilisers or pesticides were 

tions  of  a  zonal  programme.  Here, 

a  higher  sale  price  (in  the  case  of 

used. Instead, other methods were 

mechanical methods for weed con-

organic rice). 

used  to  combat  pests,  such  as 

trol and slow-release fertilisers were 

regulating  the  flooding  period  and 

used.  Meanwhile,  rice  fields  were 

These  arguments  were  being  used 

level, weeding by hand and pherom-

set aside in two estates purchased 

by SEO/BirdLife to encourage local 

one traps against the main rice pest 

by the beneficiary (“Del Clot” and of 

farmers to change from conventional 

The delta, a wetland of some 32,000ha, is a vital staging point in bird migration 
across Europe

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rice farming to other practices with 

less environmental impact.

Project Number:  
LIFE96 NAT/E/00512

Title: 
Improvement of habitat management 
in the SPA of the Ebro delta 

Beneficiary:  
SEO (Sociedad Española de  
Ornitología) 

Contact: Alejandro Sánchez Pérez 

Email:   
seo@seo.org

Website: 
http://www.seo.org/home_articulo.
cfm?id=1572 

Period:  
Jan-1997 to Mar-2001 
Total Budget: (cid:2) 1,219,000
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 610,000 

 
 
 
 
Coastal wetlands

France: Working together for the eco-
development of the Narbonnais lagoons 

The LIFE-Environment project Eden (concerted eco-development around the Narbonnais lagoons) 

is an excellent example of the integrated development of a coastal wetland area. Adopting a par-

ticipative approach, it brought together communities, industry, tourism and agriculture in a com-

mon objective – the protection and sustainable development of these lagoons. Significantly the 

project actions are continuing after-LIFE under a plan supported by the different stakeholders.

The  coastal  area  of  the  Narbonnais 

tion). Before carrying out any neces-

Monitoring

ponds  and  lagoons,  located  in  the 

sary preventive work, several working 

(cid:2)  Waste  from  water  treatment  sta-

region  of  Languedoc-Roussillon  in 

groups  were  set  up.  For  example, 

tions covering the lakes.

south-western  France,  is  an  area 

one was responsible for establishing 

(cid:2)  The impact of human activities on 

of  exceptionally  high  environmental 

the best way to manage the effluent 

the lagoon habitats by measuring 

value. Historically, this Mediterranean 
coastal region also supports a number 

(urban, industrial and agricultural) into 
the Robine canal, which empties into 

water quality.

of  important  economic  activities 

the lagoons; another was responsible 

Finally, a key sustainable result of the 

including agriculture, shipping, fish-

for monitoring and evaluation of the 

project is a continuation of its manage-

ing, and tourism. However, its strong 

lagoons’ water quality and the promo-

ment/treatment actions following the 

economic development places pres-

tion of management and development 

Eden  methodology  after-LIFE,  under 

sure on the fragile natural environment 

approaches favouring environmental 

a so-called “contrat d’étang”, which is 

of the lagoons, which are typically low 

restoration; while a third targeted the 

currently being implemented by the dif-

in depth (1-1.5 m), separated from the 

sustainable management of tourism. 

ferent stakeholders across the region.

sea by a lido. Rich in biological diver-

In  all,  some  43  actions  were  imple-

sity, the hydrological and ecological 

mented by the project, almost all of 

functions of the lagoons are threat-

which  concern  the  management/

ened  by  human  actions,  especially 

treatment and monitoring of effluent 

tourism.

emptying into the lagoons: 

What did LIFE do?

Management

(cid:2)  Clean port - Creation of a diagnostic 

The  LIFE  project  was  coordinated 

“water and waste” scheme for the 

by the development agency, (Syndi-

Port La Nouvelle, situated between 

cat Mixte de Gestion du Parc naturel 

the lagoons of Bages-Sigeon and 

régional de la Narbonnaise) compris-

the Mediterranean Sea.

ing  the  joint  forces  of  the  regional 

(cid:2)  Regrouping  of  the  Authorised 

nature park (Parc de la Narbonnaise 

Syndicates  Associations  (ASA)  in 

en Méditerranée) in partnership with 

charge of the agricultural manage-

the chamber of commerce and indus-

ment of water, to enable joint action 

try of Narbonne and the chamber of 

agriculture of the department of Aude. 

across the whole catchment area.
(cid:2)  Development  of  a  management 

The initiative had two main objectives: 

plan  for  the  Cercle  and  Labrador 

1) to develop integrated environmental 

lagoon, a 950 ha site connected to 

uses/management of the region and 

the Narbonnais lagoons.

2)  to  organise  actions  demonstrat-

(cid:2)  Development plan for water effluents 

ing  an  eco-development  approach.  

of the Croix Sud industrial area

A  cross-disciplinary  approach  was 

used in order to implement over 40 

Treatment

actions  within  the  catchment  area 

(cid:2)  Effluent  treatment  of  nearby 

of  the  lagoons,  encompassing  the 

vineyards

12,000 ha Natura 2000 site (also des-

(cid:2)  EPU Mobil – phytosanitary (pestici-

ignated under the RAMSAR Conven-

des) cleaning water system

Narbonnais lagoons, south-western 
France

Project Number:  
LIFE00 ENV/F/000600  

Title: Concerted eco-development 
operating around the ponds and 
lagoons of La Narbonnaise area  

Beneficiary:  
Syndicat Mixte de Gestion du Parc 
naturel régional de la Narbonnaise 

Contact: Thierry Laniesse

Email:   
info@parc-naturel-narbonnaise.fr 

Website:  
www.parc-naturel-narbonnaise.fr  

Period: Jul-2001 to Jul-2005 
Total Budget: (cid:2) 2,757,000  
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 1,062,000

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 31

Mediterranean 
wetlands

Due to the great climatic variability in the region, the range of types of wet-

lands in the Mediterranean is considerable, from large river deltas and lagoons on the 

north shore, to salty and temporary marshes in the South, which appear only every few 

years, as well as freshwater inland lakes. Additionally, the region’s wetlands enjoy a strong 

cultural and commercial relationship with local inhabitants that dates back thousands of years. 

Unfortunately, over the last 100 years, the Mediterranean has lost about half of its wetlands, 

as a result of demographic and developmental pressures. Because of such threats, some of 

the most serious conservation and restoration efforts funded by LIFE have been made to 

counteract the problem.

Mediterranean wetlands

Spain: Reversing decades  
of environmental damage

Lake Banyoles may well be a hot-spot for watersports and tourism, but its surrounding areas 

offer unique Mediterranean wetlands with priority-status habitats. Re-establishing lost wetlands is 

now helping to undo some of the damage done in recent decades.

Lake  Banyoles  is  the  second  larg-

est lake in the Iberian Peninsula. Its 

privileged location has given rise to a 

unique Mediterranean wetland. Sur-

rounding  the  lake  is  a  diverse  envi-

ronment of temporary and permanent 

lagoons and springs that are host to a 

range of valuable EU-listed habitats, 
some of which have priority status. 

The lacustrine basin of Banyoles is the 

result of a karstic-tectonic phenom-

enon. It consists of a singular Mediter-

ranean humid zone, located between 

the coastal plain and the mountains 

of the hinterland. Although the Lake 

Banyoles is the most important exam-

ple of this geological process, the area 

around the lake itself is dotted with 

eight lagoons and abundant springs 

and sources. Some of these lagoons 

only appear intermittently in times of 

heavy rain, or when the subsoil con-

tains  a  large  amount  of  water,  thus 

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Lake Banyoles is a traditional recreational area for boating and was the site of the 
rowing events during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics

flooding surrounding areas. The finest 

The lake is also a traditional recreation 

What did LIFE do?

example of an intermittent lagoon is 

area for boating, particularly rowing – it 

the Espolla lagoon, situated 24 metres 

was the site of the rowing events of the 

The general objective of the project was 

above Lake Banyoles and which only 

1992 Barcelona Olympics – as well as 

the recuperation of and an increase in 

fills with water when the subterranean 

for picnics, fishing and hunting. Natu-

the area of the wetlands and lakeside 

water pressure is high enough to over-

rally, this sort of water-based tourism 

woods  that  surround  the  lacustrine 

come the difference in altitude. 

provides income opportunities for the 

basin: the alluvial forests alder (Alnus 

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local population. Unfortunately, how-

glutinosa) and white willow (Salix alba), 

ever, it can also have some negative 

the narrow-leafed ash woods (Fraxinus 

repercussions. The eastern shore of the 

angustifolia), and the white poplar gal-

lake has undergone considerable urban 

leries (Populus alba). To this end, the 

development with subsequent negative 

project developed new lagoons, rede-

effects on the environment. In contrast, 

veloped artificially created streams and 

the  western  shore  has  retained  its 

the  recuperated  floodplains.  Priority 

lakeside woods and floodplains, even 

was  given  to  the  intermittent  Medi-

though  much  of  the  land  has  been 

terranean lagoons, which had all but 

given over to agricultural use. 

disappeared  from  the  zone  until  the 

project started.

The diverse environment surrounding 
the lake is host to a range of EU-listed 
habitats

The  project  facilitated  the  purchase 

by local town councils and the private 

 
 
 
 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 33

foundation, Territori i Paisatge, of a total 

continue their pruning and clearance 

of 37 ha of land, some 27 ha more than 

work in the future nonetheless.

had originally been envisaged. Addi-

tional land is also to be acquired in the 

The project also engaged in a range of 

future, through land cessions agreed 

public-use-oriented actions, including 

with several private owners. 

the conditioning of paths, signposting, 

refurbishment  of  recreational  areas, 

After  preliminary  topographic  and 

and the construction of gangways and 

hydrogeological  studies,  the  con-

viewpoints. 

struction  of  four  lagoons  took  place 

from  December  2005  to  December 

Life after LIFE

2006 in the areas of Can Morgat and 

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Amaradors-Lió.  The  fourth  lagoon 

The most important outcomes for the 

was created ‘naturally’, once a canal 

future conservation of this site are a) 

had been opened. Many types of birds 

the approval of a revised ‘Regulation of 

Restoration activities included the natu-
ralisation of brooks and the restoration 
of ditches

are now using these water bodies, with 

lake activities’ legal protection instru-

collaboration with private entities for 

a number breeding in the area. Also, 

ment for the town councils, which pre-

natural  heritage  protection  has  also 

amphibians, odonates and fish have 
been observed during scientific moni-

scribes what  activities are sustainable 
with nature conservation and public-

an important demonstrative effect in 
Spain, where this type of cooperation 

toring.  Moreover,  the  improvements 

use regulation of the Banyoles Lake; 

is not very common.

in the environment indirectly favoured 

b) the approval of a Special Conser-

the population of nesting aquatic birds, 

vation Plan for the whole lake basin 

There is a dynamic and a momentum 

both migratory and wintering, as well as 

-  a  regional  legal  protection  instru-

that  has  been  achieved  for  the  pro-

emblematic species such as the otter 

ment that covers the complete site of 

tection of the area, bringing on board 

(Lutra lutra). Other restoration activities 

community  importance  (SCI);  c)  the 

businesses, local administration and 

included the naturalisation of brooks, 

creation of a consortium for a compre-

other regional stakeholders.

the restoration of ditches, clearance of 

hensive  management  of  natural  and 

the area, pruning and plantations. 

cultural assets of the lake, including 

The  eradication  of  exotic  species  in 

powers relating to the lake; and d) the 

particular  cherry  (Prunus  sp),  giant 

creation of a new natural park that will 

all  the  relevant  administrations  with 

reed  (Arundo  donax)  and  plantation 

include the SCI. 

of autochthonous vegetation, carried 

out in different areas of the lake basin, 

The constitution of the Consortium for 

helped to enlarge and protect habitats 

the Management of the lake provides 

under the directive: mainly temporary 

effective management of the area from 

Mediterranean ponds (3170), calcare-

now on. In fact, the LIFE project has 

ous fens with Cladium mariscus (7210) 

had a pump-priming effect in relation 

and  residual  alluvial  forests  of  Alnus 

to the conservation activities of the two 

glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (91E0). 

town councils with competencies per-

Glyfosates were applied in a controlled 

taining to the lake. 

fashion  to  an  area  from  which  alien 

species  had  already  been  removed. 

Indeed, this project is a good exam-

The cutting of alien species was under-

ple  of  collaboration  among  different 

taken by specialised personnel to avoid 

administrations (local, provincial and 

sprouting. Three brigades, comprising 

regional)  and  private  entities  (Foun-

a monitor and two workers, now uproot 

dation  Territori  i  Paisatge)  working 

these  unwanted  species  every  year 

together for the conservation of a nat-

from September to December. These 

ural site. The creation of inter-munici-

workers  come  from  an  occupational 

pal management entity and the wide 

centre for people with disabilities. All 

consensus  achieved  for  the  actions 

such activities are continually super-

undertaken  is  the  type  of  approach 

vised by an expert botanist. This work 

needed for the management of Natura 

has been successful in eliminating the 

2000 sites, where different competen-

problem species, but the brigades will 

cies  are  interwoven.  Moreover,  the 

Lake Banyoles - a unique Mediterranean 
wetland

Project Number:  
LIFE03 NAT/E/000067 

Title: Recuperation of the aquatic 
environment of Porqueres and the 
lake of Banyoles 

Beneficiary:  
Ayuntamiento de Banyoles

Contact: Jordi Bosch Batlle  

Email:   
mcampos@consorcidelestany.org 

Website:  
www.lestany.net

Period:  
Nov-2003 to Apr-2007 
Total Budget: (cid:2) 865,000 
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 432,000 

 
 
 
Mediterranean wetlands

Greece: Buffalo and cattle help  
to restore wetlands

This LIFE-Nature project used water buffalo and cattle grazing to restore the wetlands of a trans-

boundary park that straddles Greece, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 

and in so doing, has helped to protect Dalmatian pelicans and one of the biggest colonies of 

pygmy cormorants. 

In  a  little  corner  of  the  Balkans 

– or, rather, three corners – the tri-

ple  border  of  Greece,  Albania  and 

the  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of 

Macedonia - lies the Transboundary 

Prespa Park, the first transboundary 

area  in  the  region  to  be  protected. 
The lakes in the park, Mikri Prespa 

and  Megali  Prespa  are  some  of 

the  very  oldest  bodies  of  water  in 

Europe.  Lake  Mikri  Prespa  in  par-

ticular is a site of importance within 

the park, being home to the largest 

breeding  colony  of  Dalmatian  peli-

cans (Pelecanus crispus) worldwide, 

around 600 pairs, and to one of the 

biggest  colonies  of  Pygmy  cormo-

rants  (Phalacrocorax  pygmaeus)  - 

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one of the rarest waterbird species 

Buffalo grazing is the most effective method for the re-creation of wet meadows

on Earth - on the continent, around 

700  pairs.  A  total  of  261  species 

and summer, according to the fluc-

What did LIFE do?

of  birds  have  been  observed  there 

tuation of the water level. These wet 

(including 164 nesting birds), 81 of 

meadows, which are home to a host 

The SPP’s primary objective was the 

them  listed  in  Annex  I  of  the  Birds 

of  aquatic  organisms,  serve  as  the 

restoration  of  these  wet  meadows. 

Directive.

key breeding and spawning grounds 

A decade’s worth of comprehensive 

for numerous fish and amphibians, 

research and pilot actions were per-

As a result, the lake has been clas-

and are the feeding grounds for mul-

formed. Various attempts had already 

sified  as  a  wetland  of  international 

tiple species of rare waterbird. 

been  made  to  manage  and  protect 

importance under the Ramsar Con-

the  region,  including  an  ACNAT1  

vention and has been designated as 

When the Society for the Protection 

project  for  the  Dalmatian  pelican,  a 

a Special Protection Area under the 

of Prespa was established in 1991, 

LIFE-Nature  project  (LIFE96  NAT/

Birds Directive included in the Natura 

the degradation of the meadows had 

GR/003217) for the pygmy cormorant 

2000 network.

advanced precipitously. By 2000, it 

and  the  lesser  white-fronted  goose 

had  deteriorated  still  further,  with 

(Anser  erythropus).  Then,  in  2002, 

However,  poor  management  of  the 

under 30 hectares of the original area 

with  funding  from  LIFE,  the  benefi-

lake’s waters, which is connected to 

covered by wet meadows remaining, 

ciary launched a project lasting until 

Lake Megali Prespa, and the lack of 

as inhabitants abandoned their tradi-

2007 that would oversee the restora-

vegetation management (reedbeds) 

tional activities in the area. A range 

tion of much of the vital wet mead-

have significantly degraded the birds’ 

of water birds stopped nesting there 

ows, as well as the implementation of 

nesting and feeding grounds, as the 

and other species, such as the peli-

an integrated management strategy 

surface  of  wet  meadows  has  been 

cans and cormorants, faced direct or 

for Lake Mikri Prespa.

reduced. Wet meadows are shallow 

indirect threats. Meanwhile, fish pop-

areas with low-lying vegetation that 

ulations - particularly carp (Cyprinus 

are annually inundated in the spring 

carpio) - continued to decline.

1 The funding mechanism predecessor 
to LIFE.

 
 
 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 35

2004  and  direct  collaboration  with 

grass balls, which are an ideal food 

the  LIFE-Nature  Project  Scientific 

supplement  for  the  buffalo  during 

Committee and began operation the 

the  winter  months.  These  balls  are 

following spring.

shared between the beneficiary and 

local  stock-breeders.  Beyond  this, 

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As a result of the project’s actions, 

the cut reeds are used by locals to 

from 2005 onward, the park has seen 

thatch their barns.

lake  water  levels  consistently  high 

enough to create new wet meadow 

Improved breeding and feeding

areas,  which  in  turn  have  seen  the 

return of many rare water bird species 

The  restoration  activities  of  the 

who have now settled there - most 

project have resulted in an improve-

successfully in the case of the glossy 

ment  in  the  breeding  and  feeding 

ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), which has 

conditions of the Dalmatian pelican 

been observed nesting again in Mikri 

and  the  pygmy  cormorant  to  the 

Prespa. The species (listed in Annex 

extent  that  their  populations  have 

I of the Birds Directive) had not bred 

now  stabilised  at  a  high  level  over 

in the area since the 1970s, and their 
initial  discontinuation  of  breeding 

the last five years. The largest breed-
ing colony of Dalmatian pelicans in 

Dalmatian pelican and pygmy cormorant 
were the main target, but activities also 
benefited 18 other species 

Specifically,  the  project  aimed  to 

improve  the  conservation  status 

was attributed to the shrinkage of the 

the world is being established in Mikri 

of  the  Dalmatian  pelican  and  the 

wet meadows.

pygmy cormorant, but the activities 

also  directly  benefited  at  least  18 

Wet meadow restoration 

other species covered by the Birds 

Prespa and, as of 2004, the number 

of Dalmatian pelican breeding pairs 

were estimated at 1,100. In addition, 

at the lake, Pygmy cormorants form 

Directive.  The  main  actions  of  the 

Prior to the project, at ten littoral sites, 

the  largest  colony  in  the  European 

project included the reconstruction 

dense reed beds predominated, due to 

Union, ranging between 540 and 710 

of a sluice that channels water from 

the surface of water meadows having 

breeding pairs.

lake  Mikri  Prespa  into  lake  Megali 

been reduced. But, starting in 2002, 

Prespa,  in  order  to  improve  water-

project participants and local inhab-

Furthermore,  populations  of  more 

level management in the former; the 

itants cut down the reeds in shallow 

than 20 other water bird species have 

restoration  of  the  wet  meadows  in 

areas near the lake. This activity was 

also benefited. Beyond this, popula-

Mikri Prespa, covering some 70 ha; 

performed every summer, establish-

tions of fish and other aquatic organ-

and  the  monitoring  of  the  avifauna 

ing areas free of thick reed beds that 

isms have directly benefited from the 

and the vegetation of the managed 

were then ready for autumn grazing 

expansion of the total surface area 

littoral sites.

by buffalo and cattle. 

of the wet meadows, particularly the 

carp, which offers a knock-on benefit 

Sluice reconstruction 

Grazing by a water buffalo herd and 

for local fishermen.

two cattle herds was applied system-

Prior to the LIFE project, water man-

atically  over  the  course  of  the  five 

agement between Lake Mikri Prespa 

years of the project at 11 different lit-

and  the  larger  Lake  Megali  Prespa 

toral sites. According to the project’s 

was performed through a simple iron 

monitoring data, buffalo grazing turns 

sluice at Koula, the point where the 

out to be the most effective method 

two  lakes  meet.  The  sluice  simply 

for the re-creation of wet meadows. 

regulated the water flow from Mikri 

At the launch of the project, the area 

into Megali in order to service local 

covered by wet meadows had dimin-

agricultural requirements. However, 

ished to 30 ha. Since then, the total 

this  mechanism  didn’t  take  into 

wet  meadow  area  has  grown  more 

account the demands of ecological 

than threefold - to some 100 ha by 

protection. The new, modern sluice 

project’s end.

was built using LIFE funds following a 

series of local stakeholder consulta-

Meanwhile, with the help of agricul-

tions and hydrological, environmental 

tural machinery, the reeds and other 

and technical studies over the course 

vegetation  cut  during  the  annual 

of six months in the second half of 

summer  pruning  are  turned  into 

Project Number:  
LIFE02 NAT/GR/008494  

Title: Conservation of priority bird 
species in Lake Mikri Prespa, Greece  

Beneficiary:  
Society for the protection of Prespa 
(SPP) 

Contact: Malakou Myrsini  

Email:   
spp@line.gr 

Website:  
http://www.spp.gr/ 

Period:  
Jul-2002 to Jun-2006  
Total Budget: (cid:2) 1,863,000  
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 1,118,000  

 
 
Mediterranean wetlands

Spain: Conservation of wetlands of 
European importance in Andalusia

Mediterranean wetlands are unique and valuable habitats but also fragile due to the typical arid 

climatic conditions. This project demonstrates conservation actions in three such wetlands of 

European importance in the region of Andalusia in southern Spain. The know-how gained from the 

project could be applied elsewhere in the region and also in other European wetlands with similar 

characteristics.

Ricón lagoon, one of three small lagoons in southern Córdoba

The project specifically focuses on three 

different size which host habitats and 

of Community importance, including 

emblematic  wetlands  –  designated 

species of high biological interest. 

two priority habitats (coastal lagoons 

as  Special  Protection  Areas  (SPAs) 

and Mediterranean salt steppes) on the 

– which are representative of the whole 

The first site is the Fuente de Piedra 

three Natura 2000 sites.  

Andalusian wetlands and included in 

lagoon  in  the  province  of  Málaga, 

the RAMSAR list of wetlands of inter-

known  especially  for  its  breeding 

Over a 39-month period a variety of 

national importance. Two of the three 

colonies of greater flamingo (Phoen-

actions were implemented to restore 

targeted wetlands are closed basins, a 

icopterus  rubber).  The  second  site 

the ecological and hydrological integ-

common feature in this region. These 

is  three  closed  basins  with  small 

rity of the wetlands. These included 

give rise to the formation of lagoons of 

lagoons (Rincón, Santiago, Amarga) 

the  acquisition  of  land  to  recover 

in the south of the Córdoba province. 

flooded areas, restoration of lagoons 

The third wetland is the Odiel Marshes 

which had been drained or were still 

in the estuary of the Odiel and Tinto 

used  for  agriculture,  restoration  of 

rivers in the Huelva province.

degraded nesting areas and replant-

ing of lagoon shores. 

What did LIFE do?

The  restoration  works  would  also 

Regional authorities in Spain are respon-

improve the feeding and nesting habi-

sible for nature conservation, including 

tats of 44 EU-listed bird species, of 

the management of protected areas. 

which three are priority: the marbled 

The  project  beneficiary,  the  regional 

teal  (Marmaronetta  angustirostris), 

authority  in  the  region  of  Andalusia 

the crested coot (Fulica cristata) and 

(Consejería de Medio Ambiente Junta 

the white-headed duck (Oxyura leu-

de Andalucía), aimed to improve the 

cocephala). A series of actions was 

conservation status of 12 habitat types 

also  carried  out  in  order  to  inform 

Project panel for one of the actions 
on the SCI and SPA Fuente de Piedra 
lagoon

the  local  population  and  visitors  of 

the importance of these habitats and 

species and to improve public use of 

these wetlands.

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 37

What was the outcome?

Most of the actions were completed 

before project end (December 2006) 

and  as  a  result,  almost  all  of  the 

project  objectives  were  met.  Only 

a  few  actions  in  the  Odiel  marshes 

encountered difficulties: namely, the 

adaptation of ponds for biomass pro-

duction,  which  was  not  carried  out 

because of safety concerns. 

The variety of threats identified – silt-

ing  up  of  basins  due  to  agriculture, 

water pollution, disturbance of water 

level manage regimes and reduction 

Flamingo colony in Fuente de la Piedra lagoon

in flooded areas – and their particular 

ecological features make them suit-
able for demonstration of conserva-

In the Odiel marshes several actions 
were undertaken to recover the area 

project duration of the hydro-geologic 
dynamic of the three targeted lagoons. 

tion initiatives that could be applied to 

devoted in the past to the production 

The study also establishes the protec-

similar wetlands in the future. Moreo-

of  salt.  These  actions  involved  the 

tion perimeters to be respected and 

ver, the project’s outstanding techni-

restoration of the marsh dynamic, the 

offers different proposals for action, 

cal manual is proving a useful man-

creation of a new freshwater lagoon 

monitoring  and  control  that  should 

agement tool for other wetlands.

and the installation of an observatory 

help improve decision-making related 

and a path.

to the lagoon management.

In the Fuente de Piedra lagoon the 
acquisition  of  59  ha  of  land  allowed 

the management of the water flow into 

the lagoon in order to improve its qual-

In  the  Lagoons  of  Southern  Cor-
doba  the  land  acquisition  allowed 
the reduction of the silting risk in the 

Finally,  the  main  focus  of  the 

project’s awareness campaign was 

a portable exhibition, composed of 

ity. This in turn increased the surface 

Amarga lagoon thanks to erosion pre-

six information panels accompanied 

of wetlands. Two freshwater lagoons 

vention works carried out on the sur-

by a leaflet, which was displayed in 

(Laguneto del Pueblo and Cantarranas) 

rounding slopes and the reforestation 

different municipalities of the three 

and  deteriorated  nesting  areas  were 

of the area. In addition the Santiago 

project  areas.  Other  dissemination 

also  recovered.  In  addition  in  order 

lagoon,  which  had  been  drained  in 

material included educational books, 

to  improve  knowledge  of  and  visitor 

the past, was restored. An observa-

stickers and a poster.

access to the area, two paths and sev-

tory was also installed between the 

eral bird observatories were built. 

Santiago  and  Rincón  lagoons  for 

Project handbook on Mediterranean 
wetland management

birdwatching.

Two very useful documents were also 

produced: a “Manual for the Mediter-

ranean  Wetlands  Restoration”  and 

a  “Hydro-geological  study  of  the 

Lagoons of Southern Cordoba”. The 

former  provides  information  about 

the  experiences  accumulated  from 

several  LIFE  projects  focusing  on 

the restoration of European Mediter-

ranean wetlands. It also presents a 

series of guidelines to be taken into 

account when undertaking ecological 

restoration projects in Mediterranean 

wetlands. The hydro-geological study 

sets  out  the  considerable  achieve-

ments and knowledge gained over the 

Project Number: 
LIFE03 NAT/E/000055  

Title: Conservation and restoration 
of wetlands in Andalusia

Beneficiary: 
Consejería de Medio Ambiente Junta 
de Andalucía, Spain 

Contact: Cecilia Gañán de Molina 

Email:  
dgpia.cma@juntadeandalucia.es

Website: 
www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioam-
biente/planesmed/life/programalife/
lifehumedales/Introduccion.html

Period: 
Sep-2003 to Dec-2006  
Total Budget: (cid:2) 2,913,000  
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 1,457,000  

Mediterranean wetlands

Mediterranean region: A permanent 
solution for temporary ponds

Temporary ponds represent an important but extremely vulnerable ecosystem in the 

Mediterranean area. Protecting the rich diversity of flora and fauna that have adapted to the  

unique conditions of these ponds requires specific conservation measures, such as those 

explored in this important LIFE project.

Around the Mediterranean, tempo-

rary pools and marshes are host to 

an incredibly rich range of flora and 

fauna,  in  particular  invertebrates 

and  amphibians.  They  are  called 

‘temporary’  because  they  experi-

ence  annual  dry  periods  and  are 
subject  to  substantial  inter-annual 

hydrological fluctuations. The many 

species  that  make  these  ecosys-

tems  their  home  are  adapted  to 

such  changes.  Indeed,  the  drying-

up plays a key role in the way these 

ecosystems function.

However,  the  ponds  are  extremely 

vulnerable, and as such, are priority 

habitats  under  the  Habitats  Direc-

tive, as well as being home to many 

species listed in its Annexes II and 

IV,  such  as  strigose  pepperwort 

(Marsilea  strigosa),  great  crested 

newt  (Triturus  cristatus)  and  mar-

bled  newt  (Triturus  marmoratus). 

Nonetheless, the ponds’ small size, 

dispersion and only temporary sub-

mersion  in  water  make  them  envi-

ronments  whose  biological  signifi-

cance is often unnoticed by humans. 

As a result, the ponds are frequently 

damaged  or  destroyed  when  the 

landscape is modified, usually as a 

result  of  a  lack  of  consideration  in 

land-use  decisions,  such  as  those 

relating to agricultural or hydrologi-

cal development.

With this in mind, from 1999 to 2004, 

the Tour du Valat Biological Station, 

Temporary ponds are so called because 
they experience annual dry periods and 
substantial hydrological fluctuations.

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 39

a private research organisation and 

(cid:2)  improving  knowledge  on  key 

Control over land use by organisa-

the LIFE-Nature beneficiary for this 

issues  for  the  conservation  of 

tions  for  the  protection  of  natural 

project,  carried  out  an  integrated 

temporary  pools,  on  population 

habitats  is  a  prerequisite  for  the 

research  and  conservation  pro-

genetics  and  dynamics  (plants, 

management  of  temporary  pools. 

gramme on temporary pools, target-

amphibians), and on inter-annual 

In total, some 83 ha were acquired 

ing  rare  species  (especially  plants) 

vegetation dynamics 

within the framework of the project. 

and  the  impact  of  socio-economic 

(cid:2)  promoting experimental manage-

In  addition,  management  agree-

factors. A second major component 

ment  of  various  sites,  together 

ments were reached with the own-

dealt  with  the  management  and 

with  scientific  monitoring:  shrub 

ers  (private  or  communal)  at  five 

conservation of selected sites.

removal, control through grazing 

sites,  significantly  increasing  the 

What did LIFE do?

(cid:2)  reinforcing  the  protection  of  the 

trolled in the medium-term. 

or cutting, pool restoration… 

area where land-use could be con-

temporary pools. 

The aim of the project was to help 

c o n s e r v e   M e d i t e r r a n e a n   t e m -

What was the outcome?

porary  ponds  by  combining  two 

The  project  determined  the  frame-

work  for  discussion  prior  to  the 

management  work  being  under-

approaches.  The  first  consisted  of 

Inventories  of  fauna,  flora  and 

taken. This allowed permanent com-

taking action to support seven sites 
located  in  three  regions  of  France: 

human activities were completed for 
most sites, as well as some more in-

munication  to  take  place  between 
the site managers and the scientists 

Roquehaute,  Valliguières  and  Age-

depth studies of species or locally-

involved  in  the  project.  Exchange 

nouillade in Languedoc-Roussillon, 

important topics: users’ perception 

visits  between  sites,  theme-based 

Padulu  in  Corsica,  and  Plaine  des 

of  the  ponds,  a  detailed  inventory 

workshops, and co-ordination of the 

Maures,  Besse  et  Flassans  and  la 

of the micro-pools, and monitoring 

network were all achieved employ-

Colle  du  Rouet  in  the  Provence-

of  threatened  species.  The  results 

ing  such  communication.  Perma-

Alpes-Cote  d’Azur  region.  These 

of these studies served as the basis 

nent  co-ordination  between  all  the 

sites  presented  a  wide  range  of 

for  the  measures  proposed  in  the 

various activities and partners was 

problems  and  management  plans 

management  plans  drawn  up  for 

organised  throughout  the  project. 

had to be established for sites that 

three of the sites. Ultimately, an ini-

A  steering  committee  was  set  up 

did  not  yet  have  one.  Acquisition 

tial inventory of the temporary pools 

and  meetings  organised,  with  reg-

(180 ha) and control of land-use at 

in Mediterranean France was carried 

ular  contact  maintained  with  the 

the sites had to be achieved before it 

out, which identified over 100 sites 

European  Commission  and  all  the 

was possible to carry out the resto-

supporting almost 1,000 pools.

project partners.

Various awareness raising measures accompanied the project, including 
the development of a teaching model for schools

ration and management operations 

necessary for their conservation.

The  second  approach  was  to 

develop  a  methodology  for  the 

management of this type of habitat 

that could then be transferred to the 

whole of the Mediterranean region. 

This  involved  drawing  up  recom-

mendations  and  developing  man-

agement  tools.  This  approach  was 

to be based both on the experience 

acquired on the project sites and on 

experience from the whole Mediter-

ranean  basin.  Various  awareness-

raising measures were also planned 

to  accompany  the  project,  and  in 

particular a teaching module for use 

in schools.

More specifically, through scientific 

research  as  well  as  more  applied 

actions, the project aimed at: 

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Mediterranean wetlands

Experimental  management  work 

Raising awareness

took  place  on  most  of  the  sites. 

level - a specific Ramsar Convention 

resolution  has  been  developed  by 

This  included  scrub  clearing,  dig-

In an effort to address the lack of pub-

the project (http://www.ramsar.org/

ging-out pools, removal of invasive 

lic awareness concerning the impor-

res/key_res_viii_33_e.htm). 

exotic species, and the restoration 

tance of the biodiversity of the ponds, 

of filled-in pools. Most of this work 

the various site teams regularly inter-

Almost all the partners have initiated 

was accompanied by careful moni-

acted with and provided information 

medium-term projects and activities 

toring  of  the  impacts,  in  order  to 

to  local  inhabitants,  elected  repre-

at six of the seven LIFE sites, in addi-

draw  lessons  that  could  be  of  rel-

sentatives  and  users  of  the  sites. 

tion to regional initiatives that extend 

evance elsewhere. 

Numerous awareness-raising, com-

widely beyond the sites, notably in 

munications and environmental edu-

Corsica.  Spain  has  subsequently 

Finally,  a  management  handbook 

cation  initiatives  were  undertaken: 

designated several Ramsar tempo-

was  published  and  a  final  interna-

Natura  2000  “Green  Days”,  events 

rary pool sites, and Corsica has pro-

tional  conference  was  also  organ-

for  schools,  leaflets,  information 

posed one as well. Lastly, a strong 

ised, bringing together almost 100 

panels,  web  pages,  posters,  edu-

network  of  professionals  working 

participants  from  all  over  Europe 

cational modules, press articles, TV 

at  the  seven  sites  has  also  been 

and the Mediterranean region. The 

programmes, and video recordings. 

established.

project produced a comprehensive 
management guide in two volumes 

A number of events were also organ-
ised to encourage local inhabitants to 

Thanks  to  the  project,  knowledge 

(which can be downloaded [in French 

protect the temporary pools.

of  the  habitats  and  management 

only]  from  http://en.tourduvalat.

of  temporary  ponds  has  been  sig-

o rg / n o s _ p r o g r a m m e s / p r o j e t s _

The  temporary  pools,  which  had 

nificantly increased, not only on the 

t e r m i n e s / m a r e s _ t e m p o r a i r e s 

previously received little attention in 

seven  sites  of  the  project  but  also 

[Volume I] and http://en.tourduvalat.

these three regions, either from local 

across  the  French  Mediterranean 

org/content/download/309/2501/

residents, elected representatives or 

area in general, and even at an inter-

version/2/file/Guide_gestion_vol2.

other interests, are now viewed as a 

national level.

pdf [Volume II]).

Handbooks on temporary-pond 
management 

major challenge for which a range of 

planning initiatives have been under-

taken: woodland management, con-

trol of fires, revision of the planning 

and  zoning  procedures.  Thanks  to 

the project, knowledge of the habi-

tats and management of temporary 

ponds has improved, not only on the 

seven  sites  of  the  project  but  also 

in the French Mediterranean area in 

general, and even at an international 

Temporary pond, Plaine des Maures, 
Var France

Project Number: 
LIFE99 NAT/F/006304

Title: Conservation of Mediterra-
nean temporary ponds   

Beneficiary: 
Fondation Sansouire, Station 
Biologique de la Tour du Valat

Contact: Jean Jalbert

Email:  
jalbert@tour-du-valat.com 

Website: 
www.tourduvalat.org  

Period: 
Sep-1999 to Sep-2004 
Total Budget: (cid:2) 532,000  
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 504,000

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 41

Bogs

Bogs, very common across the northern hemisphere, are notable for their 

substantial  peat  accumulation,  high  water  tables  and  acid-loving  vegetation. 

These habitats are enormous carbon sinks and thus, while in good health, are one 

of our greatest allies in the struggle against global warming. However, due to over two 

centuries of damage largely due to burning, overgrazing, peat extraction and industrial 

pollution, bogs across Europe and beyond have been so degraded that they can begin to 

release carbon instead. Thus contributing to their conservation and restoration is one of 

LIFE’s most urgent and vital tasks.

Bogs

Scotland: Partnership aids large-scale 
restoration of active raised bogs

The combined efforts of the Scottish Raised Bog Partnership has helped to restore to favourable 

conservation status over 1,000 hectares across 11 sites of the United Kingdom’s remaining raised 

bogs. The project encouraged closer working relationships between NGOs and government 

agencies and demonstrated good practice in its management works.  

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Since  the  start  of  the  nineteenth 

century the extent of primary, active, 

lowland  raised  bog  in  the  UK  has 

fallen dramatically from 95,000 ha to 

8,100 ha – a decline of 85%, mainly 

due  to  commercial  peat  extraction 

and land drainage. Two thirds of the 
remaining area is found in Scotland, 

and,  despite  the  scale  of  destruc-

tion, Scotland still holds a significant 

proportion  of  raised  bogs  in  good 

condition.

The three-year LIFE project focused 

on  45%  of  the  remaining  UK 

resource, all in Scotland, within 11 

sites  (10  candidate  Special  Areas 

of  Conservation).  All  of  the  sites 

– whether large or small, private or 

public – had been subject to human 

intervention at some stage through 

peat  cutting,  drainage  works,  tree 

planting,  scrub  encroachment  and 

grazing pressure. 

What did LIFE do?

The project was undertaken by the 

Scottish Raised Bog Partnership, a 

partnership  involving  the  Forestry 

Commission  for  Scotland,  Scottish 

Natural  Heritage  and  the  Scottish 

Wildlife  Trust  (the  project  benefici-

ary). Its overall objective was to bring 

1,256 ha of active raised bog back up 

to a favourable condition by reducing 

existing or potential threats through 

the clearance of encroaching scrub, 

removal of non native forest planta-

tions, blocking of ditches and con-

trolling of grazing. The project also 

increased the area of raised bog by a 

further 315 ha through the clearance 

of trees, scrub and heather.  

Acid pool within a lowland raised bog

 
 
 
 
 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 43

Most  site-based  operations  were 

stantial and included the removal of 

overseen by the respective site man-

430 ha of trees, clearance of 253 ha 

agers from the partner organisations. 

of encroaching scrub, installation of 

Local  Operational  Planning  Teams 

2,153 dams into ditches, erection of 

(LOPTs)  –  a  common  approach  in 

12,101 m of fencing and the removal 

many  UK  projects  –  were  set  up  to 

of 3.6 ha of rank heather. 

provide additional support, input and 

management  infrastructure  to  the 

The key outputs of the project were in 

local operations.

the delivery of conservation actions on 

site,  particularly  the  large-scale  tree 

The  human  dimension  was  also 

removal works on the Solway Mosses. 

addressed with a variety of measures 

This project consolidated the achieve-

to increase local interest and access 

ments of earlier work and ensured that 

to the sites in order to raise awareness 

the  conservation  value  of  the  sites 

of  the  conservation  value  of  raised 

became  better  recognised  at  both 

bogs.  A  number  of  local  open  days 

national and local levels. 

were  held,  fact  sheets  and  a  news-

letter  produced  and  a  conference 
organised to disseminate the results 

In many mire restoration projects the 
most that can be expected from inter-

Cleared of trees, peat moss is already 
reclaiming the area (Sphagnum spp.) 

and best practice experiences of the 

vention is a reversal of a negative trend.  

project to other site managers. 

Removing the apparent problem (trees 

since their use for domestic peat has 

What was the outcome?

ily address the main cause, which is 

ing  to  the  beneficiary,  the  project’s 

or heather) alone, does not necessar-

all but disappeared. However, accord-

usually  disturbance  to  hydrological 

newsletters and open days helped to 

On  closure  (at  the  end  of  2003)  the 

functioning. However, where the dams 

counter this negative perception and 

restoration work had been completed 

were installed there was an immediate 

raise awareness, especially among the 

successfully at all of the eleven sites: 

effect  of  raising  water  levels,  which 

local communities, of the ecological 

Bankhead  Moss,  Braehead  Moss, 

was  well  demonstrated  at  the  Flan-

importance of raised bogs and of the 

Carsegowan Moss, Coalburn Moss, 

ders Moss and Moine Mhor sites. Peat 

need to conserve them.

Cranley Moss, Dykeneuk Moss, Flan-

moss (Sphagnum cuspidatum) was the 

ders Moss, Moine Mhor, Longbridge 

first coloniser of the open water. 

Finally, a key aspect of this project is 

Muir,  Kirkconnell  Flow  and  Threep-

that each of the eleven sites continues 

wood Moss. The workload was sub-

The large-scale restoration work car-

to be monitored by Scottish Natural 

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ried  out  at  the  at  Longbridge  Muir 

Heritage, as part of their site condition 

and  Kirkconnell  Flow  sites  built  on 

monitoring programme. The ongoing 

previous  LIFE  projects  (e.g.  LIFE92 

monitoring  shows  whether  the  sites 

NAT/UK/013400  and  LIFE98  NAT/

are in, or moving towards, favourable 

UK/005432)  and  helped  to  maintain 

conservation status.

momentum and build confidence in the 

restoration techniques. The changes 

were  immediate:  the  removal  of  tree 

cover reduced interception/evaporation 

losses by around 30%. The removal of 

tree cover also increases light, which 

was of benefit to sphagnum species.  

The dissemination work carried out at 

and around the sites also proved valu-

able. Perceptions of peatlands are usu-

ally negative. This is because raised 

bogs have been traditionally viewed as 

unproductive, with little economic value 

Early marsh-orchid  
(Dactylorhiza incarnata)

Project Number:  
LIFE00 NAT/UK/007078

Title: Restoration of Scottish  
raised bogs  

Beneficiary:  
Scottish Wildlife Trust, UK

Contact:  
Stuart Brooks

Email:   
sbrooks@swt.org.uk  

Period:  
Jan-2001 to Dec-2003 
Total Budget: (cid:2) 2,139,000  
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 1,459,000 

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Netherlands: Using hydraulics to 
conserve the entire peat body of the 
Fochterloërveen  

This comprehensive restoration project employed Dutch hydraulic engineering in order to better 

manage the Fochterloërveen, one of the largest raised bog areas in the Netherlands. Its innova-

tive approach, addressing the conservation of the entire peat body, rather than focusing on the 

blocking of drainage ditches, has yielded very positive results.

At the end of the last Ice Age, about 

grew here to sustain peat formation: 

What did LIFE do?

10,000 years ago, an extensive area 

it therefore provided a core area from 

of peat bogs was created along what 

which  the  entire  Fochterloërveen 

Raised  bogs  are  fed  by  rainwater, 

is now the border of the two north-

raised bog could be restored.

of which there is a sufficient volume 

ern Dutch provinces of Drenthe and 
Friesland.  For  centuries,  peat  was 

Apart from agricultural activities, this 

locally.  Based  on  a  Hydrologische 
Inrichtingsplan  voor  Hoogveenre-

used  for  heating  on  a  small  scale. 

is an isolated region, which actually 

generatie (Hydrological Raised Bog 

But  large-scale  land  clearance  for 

made  the  restoration  work  easier. 

Restoration  Plan),  the  LIFE  project 

agriculture between 1600 and 1900 

In  1965,  the  drainage  ditches  were 

– which was run by a Dutch nature 

fundamentally changed the charac-

sealed off and extraneous water was 

conservation  NGO,  Natuurmonu-

ter of the region.  All that was left of 

kept out. The task of restoration itself 

menten – aimed to prevent rain water 

this once huge peat resource was the 

began in the 1980s, with the build-

from flowing off the raised bog too 

Fochterloërveen (3,000 ha) and a few 

ing  of  low  dykes,  creating  isolated 

quickly and to stimulate natural peat 

smaller cores. But also here the peat 

compartments  on  the  bog  surface. 

degraded  after  the  peat  bog  was 

The  aim  was  to  manage  the  water 

formation. This was achieved by:
(cid:2)  Construction  of  new  compart-

drained  for  tree  planting  and  farm-

levels in each compartment in such a 

ments  subdividing  the  bog  by 

ing.  The  result  was  a  monotonous 

way that peat moss could grow there 

means  of  peat-covered  dykes 

expanse of Molinia grasses. Only in 

again. The compartments proved to 

and dams - altogether 24.5 km of 

the highest core area was the peat 

be too big, however, and the differ-

dykes and 39 dams were built.

still  intact,  complete  with  the  veg-

ences in their height above sea level 

(cid:2)  Inundation of these compartments 

etation associated with raised bogs. 

meant  that  some  were  too  dry  and 

to stimulate Sphagnum growth, to 

Sufficient peat moss (Sphagnum) still 

others too wet. 

initiate peat production and to kill 

LIFE helped to bring back an area of the Fochterloërveen peat body

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 45

the  invasive  purple  moor  grass 

led inside the compartments. Thus 

(Molinia).

the  hydrology  of  the  entire  raised 

(cid:2)  Control of the water levels after-

bog can be managed and peat for-

wards,  as  part  of  the  monitoring 

mation can be initiated. This is quite 

of the bog restoration.

unusual as peat restoration projects 

At  the  same  time,  a  buffer  zone 

blocking, rather than addressing the 

generally  focus  on  drainage-ditch 

of  more  than  400  ha  was  created 

entire peat body.

around the bog with national funds.

A method was developed during the 

The task of cutting peat with which 

project to measure the rate at which 

to  cover  the  sheet  piling  for  the 

peat absorbs water after re-humidi-

compartments  needed  to  be  done 

fication and swells. This yielded the 

with  care,  so  as  not  to  cut  such 

following positive results:

deep  holes  that  peat  formation 

(cid:2)  The new dyke compartments allow 

becomes  impossible.  The  restora-

a better control of the water levels: 

tion work also had to take account 

seepage  no  longer  occurs  to  an 

of  possible  flooding  as  a  result  of 
heavy  rain,  water  seepage  where 

extent that the bog surface desic-
cates; maximum annual water level 

the  (excessively)  thin  peat  lies  on 

fluctuation is 20-30 cm.

a sandy ridge, the swelling of peat 

(cid:2)  The  water  quality  is  good  (pH  4 

when  it  gets  wet,  and  access  for 

and low in carbonates and nutri-

Water levels are now maintained 
allowing peat moss to grow once again

visitors. 

ents):  so  the  water  chemistry  is 

suitable  to  restart  Sphagnum 

Works  were  also  carried  out  to 

growth

closure  in  order  to  maintain  the 

adapt  the  local  traffic  infrastruc-

(cid:2)  Natural methane production pro-

momentum of the project – to moni-

ture to the new situation created by 

motes  floating  of  the  free  peat 

tor developments (hydrological and 

the  re-humidification  works.  These 

layer,  so  that  Sphagna  have  a 

biological),  manage  water  levels, 

included  the  replacement  of  an 

substrate to grow from.

and,  where  necessary,  to  repair  or 

asphalted road (Fochteloërveenweg) 

(cid:2)  Purple-moor grass  (Molinia caer-

upgrade  the  dams  and  dykes.  A 

by  a  narrower  road  with  a  surface 

ulea) decreased and water peat-

permanent  site  manager  has  been 

of bricks on a pebble substrate and 

moss  (Sphagnum  cuspidatum) 

employed  by  the  beneficiary  to 

the replacement of asphalted cycle 

increased.

carry  out  the  necessary  manage-

track (Bonghaar) with a gravel track 

(cid:2)  The  characteristic  raised-bog 

ment tasks, and national funds have 

on top of one of the dykes acting as 

hummock-forming  peat  mosses 

been  allocated  for  the  after-LIFE 

border of a compartment. An obser-

increased  (S.  magellanicum,  S. 

monitoring.

vation platform and a short board-

rubellum and S. fuscum).

walk leading to it were built beside 

(cid:2)  The population of  Coenonympha 

this cycle track.

tullia,  a  threatened  butterfly  of 

which the site hosts the largest of 

Project Number:  
LIFE99 NAT/NL/006280

Wildlife  screens  and  passages  to 

the remaining Dutch populations, 

guide reptiles (snakes) and amphib-

and the population of dragonflies 

ians  to  pass  below  the  Fochte-

loërveenweg  and  the  Bonghaar 

are apparently increasing in size.
(cid:2)  The wildlife passages built during 

cycle track, were also constructed. 

LIFE have proved very successful: 

The  project’s  set  of  passages  for 

in 2002 only one snake was killed 

snakes, built in 2001, were the first 

by traffic, compared to up to 100 

of their kind in the Netherlands.

a year earlier. 

What was the outcome?

Life after LIFE

At  the  end  of  the  LIFE-project,  all 

With  the  work  successfully  com-

necessary  dykes  had  been  built 

pleted on the rewetting of the raised 

with the system of dams in place to 

bog,  it  was  clear  that  further  work 

enable the water level to be control-

would  be  required  after  project 

Title:  
Restoration programme of the 
Fochteloërveen raised bog

Beneficiary:  
Natuurmonumenten, the Netherlands

Contact: A. Stoker

Email:   
a.stoker@natuurmonumenten.nl

Beneficiary website:  
www.natuurmonumenten.nl/

Period:  
Feb-1999 to Jun-2003
Total Budget: (cid:2) 4,274,000  
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 1,496,000  

Bogs

Germany: Reversing the impact 
of drainage and peat digging and 
conserving corncrake habitat

This very successful project built upon the experience of an earlier LIFE project and completed 

the measures started previously. It is now widely regarded as one of southern Germany’s most 

comprehensive peat bog restoration initiatives. 

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Kendlmühlfilzen Natura 2000 site, southern Chiemgau after rehumidifcation

Post-glacial  terrestrialisation  of  the 

The  three  raised  bogs  tackled  by 

southern part of the Chiemsee lake 

this  project  were  all  damaged  by 

in  Bavaria,  Germany,  left  behind  a 

past  drainage  and  decades  of 

landscape  –  southern  Chiemgau 

industrial  peat  dig-

– that even today is still rich in natu-

ging (which was 

ral  heritage,  boasting  considerable 

only banned 

expanses of raised bog, bog wood-

in  1990).  When 

land and fen. The fens are dominated 

the  project  started,  they 

by reedbeds and ‘Streuwiesen’ (very 

were  covered  in  heather,  Molinia 

humid litter meadows characterised 

grasses and birches, all of which 

by sedges and Molinia grass). These 

are indicators of a degraded bog 

are prime corncrake (Crex crex) hab-

hydrology.

itats  with  between  10  and  20  call-

ing  males  annually  recorded  in  the 

project area. 

Corncrake  
(Crex crex)

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 47

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What did LIFE do?

This  project  (and  its  predecessor) 

was  run  by  the  Bavarian  ministry 

for  rural  development  and  environ-

ment, now the Bavarian ministry for 

environment,  health  and  consumer 

protection (Bayerisches Staatsminis-

terium für Umweltschutz, Gesundheit 

und Verbraucherschutz).

In  order  to  regenerate  the  raised 

bogs, on land acquired - in part - by 

the previous project, local hydrology 

was  improved  by  closing  drainage 

ditches,  flooding  old  peat  diggings 

and clearing birch thickets. 

Habitats  for  meadow-breeding 

birds (including the corncrake) were 

increased by extending agricultural 

land use and converting arable land to 

pasture. About 100 ha of abandoned, 

overgrown Streuwiesen, shunned by 

the corncrakes, were cleared by ini-

tial mowing by local farmers. Three 

observation platforms, and a board-

walk crossing a raised bog were built 

to allow local people and the many 

visitors to the region to view bird life 

at Lake Chiemsee and the restored 

habitats.

What was the outcome?

In  each  of  the  bogs,  the  project 

used  the  same  rewetting  strategy 

to  restore  the  hydrological  balance. 

This included the purchase of private 

land affected by the works, blocking 

of ditches and removal of the worst 

overgrowth.
(cid:2)  In  the  Kendlmühlfilzen  raised 
bog,  32  ha  were  bought.  Four-
teen dams with widths of 20 – 50 

Boardwalk constructed through the Kendlmühlfilzen

lake which dried up 90 years ago, 

evolving towards a more favoura-

m were built across the large drai-

reappeared. Monitoring carried out 

ble conservation state. Tree rege-

nage  ditches  and  a  few  hundred 

at the end of the project revealed 

neration in the humidified areas is 

smaller ditches were filled in. The 

increasing  numbers  of  breeding 

seriously reduced and the typical 

dams were arranged in such a way 

stonechats  (Saxicola  torquata), 

ground  vegetation  of  degraded, 

as  to  minimise  seepage  pressure 

whinchats  (Saxicola  rubetra),  sni-

hydrologically unstable peat bogs 

and  loss  of  water.  Hydrologically, 

pes (Gallinago gallinago) and teals 

(Calluna and Molinia) is expected to 

the results, at project termination 

(Anas crecca). Thanks to this and 

be replaced within the next years 

were  very  promising:  200  ha  of 

the earlier LIFE works, an estima-

by peat-forming Sphagnum mos-

bog had gained an improved water 

ted  80%  of  the  total  area  of  the 

ses,  which  have  already  started 

level.  The  “Egelsee”,  a  shallow 

Kendlmühlfilzen bog is once again 

growing again at several points. 

 
 
Bogs

(cid:2)  In the Bergener Moos-Wildmoos, 
1.25  ha  was  bought  to  round  off 

purchases under the previous LIFE 

project (60 ha). Fourty dams were 

built and 10 ha of tree and bushes 

cover were cut down.

(cid:2)  In  the  Rottauer  Filz,  47  ha  was 
bought, on another 4 ha the local 

community as owner gave permis-

sion for the works. A series of dams 

were built – in all, water levels were 

raised over a bog area of 70 ha.

Building on the work of its predeces-

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sor,  the  project  cultivated  a  close 

Information panel at the Bergener Moos Natura 2000 site 

and very effective partnership with 

the district authority (Landkreis), the 

Life after LIFE

forestry  service,  the  local  farmers’ 
and  hunters’  organisations,  local 

While  the  project  officially  closed 

through additional restoration meas-

ures on degraded bogs. Now, since 
suitable hydrological conditions have 

tourist  agencies  and  conservation 

in  2001,  a  supervision  period  fol-

been created, no further interventions 

NGOs. Much of the mire restoration 

lowed until 2005. This showed that 

are necessary.

work  was  done  by  farmers,  organ-

in  general,  the  construction  of  the 

ised through the local ‘Maschinen-

dams was successful. Only three of 

ring’ (labour and equipment pool). 

the larger ones were damaged and 

Bird observation tower

required subsequent improvements. 

The factors which caused the leak-

age  were  identified  and  remedied. 

Unexpectedly, the rewetting also had 

other positive effects: it seems that 

the  influence  of  carbon-rich  water 

stimulated a specific minerotrophic 

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fen vegetation on many sites. 

In 2005 the beneficiary was awarded 

LIFE  programme  funding  for  simi-

lar  mire  restoration  works  at  the 

“Hochrunstfilze”  and  “Auer  Weid-

moos  mit  Kalten  und  Kaltenaue” 

Natura  2000  sites  (LIFE05  NAT/

D/000053).

Finally, a post-project follow-up study 

of the project was carried out in Sep-

tember  2007  by  the  LIFE  external 

monitoring team. It showed that the 

project’s long-term effects have con-

tinued. The rehumidification area has 

been extended after the LIFE project, 

Project Number: 
LIFE97 NAT/D/004224

Title: Raised bogs and habitats for 
the corncrake in Southern Chiemgau

Beneficiary: 
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für 
Umwelt, Gesundheit und 
Verbraucherschutz

Contact: 
Harald Lippert

Email:  
harald.lippert@stmugv.bayern.de

The Kendlmühlfilzen site prior to 
restoration of rehumdification measures. 
Picture below: After rehumidification in 
2001 – the rapid re-establishment 
of peat-forming mosses (Sphagnum)

Period: 
Sep-1997 to Feb-2001
Total Budget: (cid:2) 1,464,000
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 732,000 

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 49

Wetland restoration

Across Europe, in recent years, LIFE has funded a range of wetland restoration pro-

jects. Rehabilitation of previously existing wetland functions, from a more impaired to a 

less impaired or unimpaired state of overall function. Wetlands that have been modified, or 

even filled in or drained can retain their characteristic soil and hydrology, allowing their natural 

functions to be reclaimed. However, restoration is an incredibly complicated procedure involving 

a great deal of planning, long-term monitoring and management after it takes place. This means 

it can be a very expensive process indeed. Which is where, naturally, LIFE comes in. 

Restoration wetlands

Austria: Bog management

Following the end of industrial peat extraction, the Weidmoos region of Austria has become an 

important wetland habitat for more than a hundred bird species. But landscape management, 

which was much boosted by a LIFE-Nature project, is needed to prevent the area turning into 

woodland or a site for redevelopment. 

The  Weidmoos,  located  in  the  bog 

region north of Salzburg, is a mosaic 

of  standing  water,  vegetation-free 

areas  and  forested  patches.  Its 

unique  ecology  make  it  an  ideal 

breeding  ground  for  the  bluethroat 

(Luscinia  svecica)  –  there  are  the 

45  breeding  pairs,  one  of  the  larg-

est breeding populations in Austria. 
Other protected bird species includ-

ing the marsh and hen harrier (Circus 

aeruginosus  and  Circus  cyaneus), 

spotted crake (Porzana porzana), lit-

tle bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), ruff 

(Philomachus  pugnax)  and  wood 

sandpiper (Tringa glareola).

Without  continuous  management, 

however, this semi-open 132 ha site 

would  rapidly  turn  into  a  wooded 

landscape, losing its special habitat 

mix so attractive to a range of bird 

species. Growing recreational pres-

sure and creeping degeneration due 

to changed farming practices have 

further jeopardised the future of the 

Weidmoos.

What did LIFE do?

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The Weidmoos north of Salzburg is a semi-open 132 ha site that without continuous 
management would rapidly turn into a wooded landscape

The project planned to acquire 22 ha 

By  building  dams,  some  of  which 

of former peat extraction sites and 

incorporate adjustable barriers, new 

the right of use to a further 16 ha in 

areas  of  standing  water  were  cre-

In 2001, the site became a designated 

addition to the 80 ha acquired before 

ated leading to the increased irriga-

area of the Natura 2000 network, and 

the start of the project. Conservation 

tion of large areas of the Weidmoos. 

two years later, a LIFE-Nature project 

work on the site would focus on the 

Landscaping along the banks of the 

was set up to maintain and optimise 

construction of 45 small dams and 

existing and the newly created areas 

the breeding, resting and wintering 

landscape  modelling  to  hold  the 

of standing water has also improved 

areas of the birds and encourage a 

water on site and improve the habi-

the  environmental  conditions  for 

more  positive  attitude  towards  the 

tats for waterfowl. The project would 

birds. However, to ensure the contin-

SPA  among  the  local  population. 

also  introduce  the  experimental 

ued success of the project, detailed 

For  this  purpose,  the  project  ben-

management of wet meadows, reed 

testing of standing water to be car-

eficiary,  the  regional  authority  Amt 

beds, bare land and bushy areas and 

ried out twice a year was introduced. 

der  Salzburger  Landesregierung, 

would optimise procedures to main-

The  results  of  this  testing  will  help 

built up a wide coalition of partners 

tain the habitats over the entire 120 

scientists  to  better  understand  the 

including an association, set up by 

ha  SPA.  An  existing  management 

nutritional balance of the bog as well 

hunters, landowners and mayors, to 

plan was used as a basis for drawing 

as  help  monitor  the  effects  of  dam 

promote  the  Weidmoos  as  a  local 

up detailed plans for the construc-

construction  measures  on  water 

heritage site. 

tion measures.

quality. In addition, automatic water-

 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 51

level gauges continuously record any 

cially needed in the peripheral areas 

fluctuations in water level.

of the Weidmoos which are insuffi-

ciently irrigated or not irrigated at all. 

The re-irrigation of areas, which were 

Detailed plans were drawn up for the 

drained  during  peat  cutting,  was 

maintenance measures described in 

intended to halt the growth of scrub 

the existing management plan for the 

and prevent the Weidmoos becom-

site. Ongoing measures include:

ing  overgrown.  Before  the  planned 

•  Creation of vegetation-free areas 

construction work could be put out 

on a regular basis, using the trac-

to tender, however, it was necessary 

ked  excavators  originally  used 

to  carry  out  a  survey  of  the  site  in 

in  peat  cutting.  Areas  of  sparse 

order  to  gain  planning  permission. 

or  no  vegetation  are  particularly 

Another legacy of peat cutting, stand-

important for the bluethroats, and 

ing water areas, are lines of straight 

the aim is to continue preventing 

banks. The project has attempted to 

these areas from becoming over-

create a more interesting landscape 

grown.

by restructuring these banks.

•  Maintenance  of  the  wetland 

The project has also made the Wei-

meadows  and  reed  beds.  Regu-
lar  mowing  is  necessary  to  pre-

dmoos  more  accessible  to  visitors 

vent  the  wetland  meadows  and 

while, at the same time, disturbing 

reed  beds  becoming  overgrown. 

the  bird  life  as  little  as  possible.  It 

Mowing is being carried out with 

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Creation of vegetation-free areas using 
the tracked excavators originally used in 
peat cutting

constructed a discovery trail, infor-

special  regard  for  conditions  in 

that  undesirable  outcomes  can 

mation centre and viewing tower in 

the  Weidmoos  and  the  needs  of 

be  avoided  and  necessary  adjust-

the southern part of the moor. These 

the bird species found there.

ments made. Throughout the project 

measures  were  followed  up  with 

•  Management of trees and scrubs. 

detailed records were kept of birds 

an awareness-raising campaign. In 

Although  the  presence  of  trees 

observed  in  the  area,  in  order  to 

June 2005 the visitor facilities were 

and shrubs is crucially important 

monitor whether the measures being 

opened to the general public.

for many of the bird species found 

taken were having a positive effect 

Ongoing maintenance

in the Weidmoos, individual trees 

on  numbers.  At  the  beginning  and 

or groups of shrubs that become 

end of the LIFE project, aerial pho-

too  large  could  have  a  negative 

tographs  and  orthochromatic  pic-

In  order  to  protect  the  Weidmoos 

influence on the quality of the bird 

tures  were  taken  for  documentary 

bird habitats in the long term, regu-

habitat.

lar  maintenance  is  needed  along-

purposes. These provide a detailed 

record of landscape changes which 

side the dam construction work and 

The  effects  of  the  maintenance 

have occurred in the course of the 

landscaping.  Such  work  is  espe-

measures  are  being  monitored  so 

project.

Inauguration of the viewing tower

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Project Number:  
LIFE03 NAT/A/000010

Title: Habitat management in the 
SPA Weidmoos

Beneficiary:  
Amt der Salzburger Landesregierung 

Contact:   
Bernhard Riehl

Email:   
bernhard.riehl@salzburg.gv.at.

Website:  
www.weidmoos.at

Period:  
01-Apr-2003 to 30-Sep-2007
Total Budget: (cid:2) 1,210,000
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 605,000

 
 
 
Restoration wetlands

Germany: Bringing back bittern  
to Galenbeck

This soon-to-be completed lake restoration project in eastern Germany is expected to raise the 

water level of the mire surrounding the lake Galenbecker See in order to provide optimum habi-

tats for threatened species found in the region.

In recent years, the water level of the 

have  disappeared  in  the  process, 

estimated to breed in the area, and 

lake at Galenbeck in Mecklenburg, 

and  with  them  a  rich  and  diverse 

the populations of corncrakes (Crex 

West Pomerania, has declined, and 

wildlife.  The  lake  water  has  also 

crex)  and  the  lesser  spotted  eagle 

the surrounding areas of reeds and 

become eutrophic and partly silted 

(Aquila pomarina) had also sensibly 

wet  grasslands  have  been  vastly 

up,  due  to  a  permanent  input  of 

declined. 

reduced.  During  the  last  50  years, 

nutrients  from  agriculture  and  fish 

following  one  of  the  biggest  farm-

farming.

What did LIFE do?

land reclamation and bog drainage 
schemes of the German Democratic 

The  lake  is  still  an  important  stag-

The aim of the LIFE-Nature project 

Republic,  the  volume  of  the  lake 

ing  post  for  at  least  80  migratory 

was to restore the lake to its original 

has declined by more than 50%. As 

bird  species,  and  together  with 

condition,  thereby  bringing  back  a 

a result of the continued sinking of 

the  adjacent  fen,  it  has  been  reg-

rich birdlife to the area. The project 

the fen layer in the surroundings of 

istered  as  a  wetland  area  of  inter-

was based on several analyses and 

the  lake,  the  entire  fen  except  the 

national  importance  (according  to 

feasibility studies conducted in the 

immediate  vicinity  of  the  lake  now 

the  RAMSAR  Convention)  as  well 

1990s  and  at  the  beginning  of  the 

lies below the lake’s water level, and 

as  declared  an  EU  special  protec-

century. Raising the level of the lake 

the lake is therefore under constant 

tion area for birds. However, prior to 

would require the construction of a 

threat  of  leaking.  Valuable  reeds, 

the start of the project, just two pairs 

7.3 km dyke, preventing drainage of 

sedge  marshes  and  wet  meadows 

of  bittern  (Botaurus  stellaris)  were 

the water and marking off the project 

Lake Galenbeck in Mecklenburg,West Pomerania – Germany

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 53

The  general  elevation  of  the  water 

level in the project area will also result 

in  a  change  of  vegetation  in  areas 

that will not be permanently flooded. 

Apart from wet meadows, the land-

scape  will  be  dominated  by  sedge 

marshes and herbaceous vegetation, 

which form the natural habitat of the 

corncrake. The restoration works will 

also encourage the propagation of the 

amphibious fauna, providing improved 

hunting grounds for the lesser spotted 

eagle (Aquila pomarina).

“Terrestrialisation”  of  the  lake  has 

also  been  sustained  by  the  import 

of  sediments  into  the  lake.  Part  of 

the  groundwork  of  the  project  has 
focused on reducing this process by 

filtering out nutrients in a network of 

reed beds in the main riverbed. A ban 

on the selective fishing of predatory 

The water levels can be controlled through the use of channels

area from the surrounding cultivated 

level)  and  create  a  rewetting  zone 

species  will  ensure  that  the  coarse 

grassland. The plan also entailed run-

which would cover 610 ha. Such a 

fish population will be reduced. This 

ning the water flowing into the lake 

rise in the water level will result in a 

in turn will increase the population of 

through  a  filter  of  reeds  to  remove 

large submerged shallow water area 

microscopic filterers in the plankton, 

nutrients.  This  would  improve  the 

adjacent to the lake, optimal for the 

further  improving  the  quality  of  the 

transparency  of  the  lakewater  and 

growth  of  peat.  Encouraging  this 

water.  The  final  objective  is  to  cre-

enable the restoration of fish stocks 

process will maximise the potential 

ate  a  macrophyte-rich  clear  water 

to their natural levels. 

habitat for reeds. In order to protect 

lake that serves as a retention basin 

As  a  first  step  of  the  restoration 

that  are  found  in  higher  ground, 

visual hunters such as the pike (Esox 

work,  the  beneficiary,  Staatliches 

excess  water  was  drained  through 

lucius) and bittern with suitable feed-

Amt  für  Umwelt  und  Natur  Ueck-

a fixed drainage step. 

ing grounds.

the  moor  grass  meadows  (Molinia) 

for  the  adjacent  fens  and  provides 

ermünde, acquired the use of con-

siderable areas of farmland (330 ha 

in total), which would be flooded or 

become wetlands. The raising water 

level  of  the  area  will  create  new 

amphibia-rich  wet  grasslands  and 

sedge  mires  for  the  lesser  spotted 

eagle  and  the  corncrake,  as  well 

as  new  reed  beds  for  the  bittern. 

To  secure  local  acceptance  of  the 

scheme, an advisory board made up 

of representatives of interest groups 

was set up.

Within the redevelopment area, the 

project aims to raise the water level 

to  9.25  m  (the  normal  high  water 

LIFE constructed a 7.3 km dyke that 
prevents water drainage

Restoration wetlands

Clearing the surrounding area in order to build the dyke

Taking action

level  of  the  rewetting  zone,  which 

tour of the project activities around 

began  in  2007,  will  be  a  gradual 

the  lake.  Other  publicity  initiatives 

Project organiser, Horst Wroblewski 

process.  “It  is  possible  to  fill  the 

included the setting up of a website 

says that he is confident that the bit-

rewetting zone in a year, but this is 

and an exhibition.  

terns will return following the resto-

not good for the plants and animals, 

ration  of  the  lake.  Before  the  work 

and it will therefore be done in four 

Wroblewski  says  that  the  last  big 

began, the reed beds were too thick 

years,” he says. 

and dry and the numbers of bittern 

task  is  to  protect  the  banks  of  the 

dyke from erosion. In some sections, 

declined as a result of predation. 

The rising of the water levels in the 

the banks are being built with peat, 

rewetting zone will also result in the 

and protected with an outer layer of 

The positive impacts of the project, 

flooding  of  a  wooded  area  of  the 

rocks.  Observation  huts  and  signs 

however, won’t be realised immedi-

project site. A similar project in the 

are  also  being  erected  before  the 

ately. “The purity of the water might 

region at Anklam has yielded inter-

rising of the water levels.

be a problem at first, but after a few 

esting  results.  A  wooded  area  that 

years  it  will  be  okay,”  Wroblewski 

was  destroyed  by  flooding  over  a 

says. In addition, the raising of the 

decade ago is now showing signs of 

reforestation.

It  was  important  for  the  project 

organisers  to  make  sure  the  locals 

were  informed  and  supportive  of 

the measures. Wroblewski says that  

at first they feared the loss of their 

cattle, but through consultation they 

were made aware of the importance 

of  the  project.  Local  farmers  were 

also  compensated  for  any  loss  of 

land.  Several  awareness-raising 

activities have also been organised 

including  a  seminar  and  a  guided 

A larchwood look-out allows  
visitors to enjoy the returning wildlife

Project Number:  
LIFE00 NAT/D/007038

Title: Restoration project ‘Galen-
becker See’ for priority species

Beneficiary:  
Staatliches Amt für Umwelt und 
Natur Ueckermünde

Contact:   
Horst Wroblewski

Email:   
Horst.Wroblewski@staunuem. 
mv-regierung.de

Website:  
www.life-naturraumsanierung- 
galenbecker-see.de

Period:  
May-2001 to Dec-2007
Total Budget: (cid:2) 5,780,900
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 4,046,635

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 55

Germany: Restoring wetlands in the 
Dümmer region

The area around Lake Dümmer is one of the most extensive fen meadow landscapes of north-

west Germany. A recent LIFE project in the western part of the region aimed to reverse the dry-

ing of the peat soil and, as a result, provide better conditions for the area’s rich wildlife.

Lake Dümmer, Lower Saxony, is an important stopover point for migratory birds

The LIFE project, “Rewetting of the 

Previously the region contained rich 

zstation  Dümmer)  that  belongs  to 

western Dümmer fen area”, forms a 

habitats  for  the  corncrake  (Crex 

the environment ministry of the Land 

major part of a broader initiative to 

crex), the bittern (Botaurus stellaris), 

Niedersachsen.  This  agency  was 

restore the entire Lake Dümmer area 

several  meadow  bird  species  and 

created in 1993 to introduce sustain-

of Lower Saxony. A plan to rehabili-

numerous other migratory birds. Fol-

able  management  of  the  rewetted 

tate the area was already drawn up in 

lowing the construction of the dyke 

grassland areas in co-operation with 

1987. It resulted in a first LIFE project 

the land became dry, and agricultural 

more than 100 local farmers. In fact, 

in  the  southern  part  (1998-2000)  - 

activity led to the degeneration of the 

an  association,  “Naturraum  Düm-

LIFE98  NAT/D/005085,  “Rewetting 

wetland. As a result, the populations 

merniederung”, was set up to bring 

of the Ochsenmoor on the Dümmer”.  

of many breeding and resting birds 

together  not  only  local  authorities 

More recently, a second project in the 

decreased or disappeared entirely.

and  municipalities,  nature  protec-

west aimed at a large-scale re-humid-

ifcation of formerly drained agricultural 

What did LIFE do?

lands, through the use of adjustable 

weirs to modulate water levels.

The  main  target  of  the  project  was 
to  regenerate  wet  grassland  and 

tion associations and water and land 

management boards, but also local 

banks and industrial companies. 

The  Dümmer  wetlands  have  been 

re-establish the meadow bird area. 

The LIFE project provided the funds 

in decline since 1953 when a dyke 

The  4,500  ha  Natura  2000  Special 

for the purchase of the remaining land 

was built around the lake and regu-

Protection  Area  is  managed  by  a 

sections (175 ha – more than the 145 

lar flooding of the meadows ended. 

conservation  agency  (Naturschut-

ha foreseen) required in the western 

 
Restoration wetlands

Dümmer area for an overall restora-

tion, while the necessary weirs and 

ditch closures were largely built with 

the beneficiary’s own funds. 

After completing the land purchase, 

the rewetting of the whole target area 

(1,200  ha)  was  achieved  in  winter 

2006-2007. The water table of 43.5 

km of drainage ditches can be con-

trolled by 28 adjustable weirs and 14 

overflow weirs.

A lease-back arrangement for con-

servation land was established that 

allows  the  land  to  be  used  for  hay 

production  or  grazing  which  helps 

improve  its  ecological  value.  The 
project  provided  the  farmers  with 

special  mowing  machinery  for  use 

on  such  wet  grasslands.  Without 

such  long-term  care  through  hay-

ing,  these  areas  would  eventually 

become  scrubby  alder  woodlands, 

a less favourable habitat for migra-

tory birds.

What was the outcome?

An adjustable weir enables better control of the water table

In winter the meadows are covered 

A  conference  to  highlight  the  suc-

The  populations  of  many  breed-

in shallow water, and in summer the 

cesses of the restoration work was 

ing and wintering bird species have 

water  is  allowed  to  recede  slowly 

held  in  2007.  A  key  aim  was  to 

already  increased,  and  some  bird 

so that the meadows and pastures 

exchange  knowledge  and  experi-

species that have not been recorded 

can  be  farmed  in  accordance  with 

ence of wet grassland management 

for a long time, have now returned 

conservation  needs.  In  this  way, 

with other conservation projects. It 

for  breeding.  Meadow  bird  spe-

the  farmers  in  the  region  actively 

included a one-day excursion. Moni-

cies (black-tailed godwits, curlews, 

engage  in  nature  conservation  at 

toring of bird populations is continu-

snipes and lapwings) are benefiting 

Lake  Dümmer.  Local  participation 

ing in the Dümmer region.

most. 

is a prerequisite for the restoration 

and  further  development  of  suit-

able habitats for water, wading and 

meadow bird species.

Blocking access to 30 km of path-

ways  in  both  project  areas  has 

created  a  2,000  ha  “quiet  zone” 

that  protects  bird  species  that  are 

sensitive  to  disturbance  and  con-

tributes  to  the  area’s  conservation 

value.  The  pathways,  however,  are 

closed only when necessary (usually 

in winter). 

LIFE provided special mowing machi-
nery to the farmers – Here, a baler with 
special tyres

Project Number:  
LIFE02 NAT/D/008456

Title: Re-wetting of the Western 
Dümmer fen area

Beneficiary:  
Land Niedersachsen

Contact: Heinrich Belting

Email: heinrich.belting@nlwkn-
ol.niedersachsen.de

Website:  
www.life-duemmer.niedersachsen.de

Period:  
Jun-2002 to Apr-2007
Total Budget: (cid:2) 3,103,000
LIFE Contribution: (cid:2) 1,551,500

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 57

Wetland species

Many species are dependent on wetlands, especially aquatic plants and 

birds. The LIFE programme has been actively contributing to the conserva-

tion of these species and their habitats.  

Furthermore, there are a handful of projects that work across multiple regions and 

Member States for the conservation of the same species or habitat. Here, we have 

a look at a group of projects that aim to protect the aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus 

paludicola), and another group of projects that have the bittern (Botaurus stellaris) 

and other species such as amphibians and insects as their target. 

Wetland species

Aquatic warbler

The  aquatic  warbler  (Acrocephalus 

that this species has declined, rap-

paludicola),  is  by  far  Europe’s  rar-

idly,  at  a  rate  equivalent  to  40%  of 

est  warbler.  It  breeds  in  temperate 

the total population over the last 10 

eastern  Europe  (Poland,  Hungary, 

years. The species became extinct in 

Germany, the Baltic States, Ukraine 

western Europe in the twentieth cen-

and Belarus) and has an estimated 

tury  and  has  declined  dramatically 

population of 15,000 pairs.

in central Europe. It formerly bred in 

France,  Belgium,  the  Netherlands, 

This small passerine bird is found in 

former West Germany, former Czech-

wetlands  with  sedge  and  similarly 

oslovakia, former Yugoslavia, Austria 

structured  marshy  habitats  with  a 

and Italy. According to the IUCN and 

preferred  water  depth  of  1-10  cm.  

BirdLife,  declines  in  the  population 

Drainage  of  such  wetlands  and 

numbers  are  predicted  at  a  similar 

destruction of the habitat has meant 

rate over the next 10 years. 

This makes the aquatic warbler the 

rarest and the only globally threat-

ened passerine bird found in main-

land Europe. The species is classi-

fied as vulnerable at the global level 

and  is  listed  as  vulnerable  in  the 

IUCN  Red  List  of  Threatened  Spe-

cies  (2007).  At  the  European  level, 

the bird is classified as endangered, 

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Monitoring the water level is crucial for 
the maintenance of the aquatic warbler 
habitat

and  is  included  in  Annex  I  of  the 

ered  priority  for  funding  under  the 

Birds Directive.

LIFE programme. 

Key EU breeding sites in Germany, 

F o r   m a n y   y e a r s ,  

i t s   w i n t e r-

Hungary  and  Poland  are  classified 

ing  grounds  were  unknown,  but 

as  Special  Protection  Areas  under 

recently it was discovered that the 

the  Birds  Directive  and  included  in 

bird’s European population spends 

the  Natura  2000  network.  A  Euro-

its  winters  in  Djoudj  National  Bird 

pean  action  plan  was  published  in 

Sanctuary in Senegal, with between 

19961and  the  species  was  consid-

5,000  and  10,000  birds  present  at 

1 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/
directive/birdactionplan/acrocephaluspa-
ludicola.htm

Aquatic warbler males have a 
distinctive mating call

this single site.

A q u a t i c   w a r b l e r s   h a v e   b e e n 

recorded migrating through 13 Euro-

pean  countries.  Birds  from  Poland 

and eastern Germany migrate along 

the Baltic coast in Poland and east-

ern Germany, then along the North 

Sea coast of western Germany, the 

Netherlands,  Belgium  and  some-

times  England,  thereafter  heading 

south along the French and Iberian 

Atlantic  coast  (see  map  at  www.

aquaticwarbler.net).

The main stopover and feeding areas 

during the post-breeding migration 

are  in  north-western  France,  along 

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 59

the Channel coast and further down 

warbler; to improve the knowledge of 

(cid:2)   Conservation of the aquatic warbler 

across the Iberian Peninsula. These 

the migratory stop-overs and the role 

in Brittany (LIFE04 NAT/FR/000086) 

regions are characterised by a string 

of their habitats for the species (using 

Website:  www.life-phragmite-

of  coastal  marshes  and  wetlands 

radio tracking and other techniques); 

aquatique.org

which are currently suffering from a 

to  restore  and  mange  the  wetland 

(cid:2)   Conservation  of  the  aquatic 

lack of adequate management. This 

habitats (by clearing and maintaining 

warbler  in  the  ZEPA  “La  Nava-

is  further  aggravated  by  the  secre-

ditches); to implement management 

Campos”  (LIFE02  NAT/E/8616) 

tiveness  of  this  little  warbler  and 

plans  for  the  most  important  stop-

Website: www.carricerincejudo.org

the  lack  of  knowledge  on  behalf  of 

overs; and additionally, in the case of 

(cid:2)  Wetland  restoration  and  manage-

site  managers  about  its  ecological 

the French and Spanish projects, to 

ment: Canal de Castilla Special Pro-

requirements. 

share acquired experiences amongst 

tection Area (LIFE06 NAT/E/000213) 

each other. 

Website: www.lifecanaldecastilla.org

Other threats to wetland zones, such 

as degradation of the hydraulic func-

tioning, natural filling-up, water pol-

lution, and man-made changes, have 

also led to a loss of diversity within 

French  and  Spanish  marshes,  and 
hence to a decline of their ecological 

value as feeding and resting habitat 

for the aquatic warbler.

LIFE has funded four projects focus-

ing on the species along their migra-

tion  route  across  stop-over  sites. 

Projects in Spain and France targeted 

resting  and  feeding  areas,  while 

projects in Poland and Germany tar-

getted breeding sites.

Specifically, the Spanish and French 

projects aim to maintain or rehabilitate 

the ecological functions essential for 

the receiving of the migrating aquatic 

Mowing was part of the LIFE 
project’s habitat 
restoration actions

Poland and Germany: LIFE project actions

So far, there is only one LIFE project, just recently launched, whose aim is the 

conservation of breeding sites in Poland and Germany (LIFE05 NAT/PL/000101 - 
Conserving Acrocephalus paludicola in Poland and Germany - www.wodniczka.pl). 

The project aims to stabilise aquatic warber populations in key areas of its range in 

Poland and Germany, by simultaneously improving and increasing the habitat in the 

main stronghold of the species in Europe, Biebrza, and preventing the extinction 

of what remains of the population in Pomerania. 

An international partnership of five NGOs and two protected area administrations 

from two EU Member States (Poland and Germany) are managing, monitoring 

and implementing the project’s objectives across nine project sites (all designated 

SPAs). The main actions first involve the raising of awareness among local authori-

ties, the local public and key stakeholders of the need for conservation of the war-

bler, in particular, its specific habitat requirements. Next, the project will improve 

the warbler habitat in Pomerania and Biebrza and then enlarge this territory. Lastly, 

the projects shall identify replicable financial and legal mechanisms for ensuring 

the long-term sustainable management of the warbler in Germany and Poland, and 

then secure the necessary funding.

The project will create 1,500 ha of new potential habitat in Pomerania and Biebrza 

and implement restoration actions on another 1,500 ha with the aim of obtaining an 

increase of 15% in the population of aquatic warbler. Measures to be implemented 

include hydrological management, removal of shrubs and overgrowth from wet 

meadows and mires, initiation of extensive grazing and considerate mowing of 

aquatic warbler habitats.

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Bittern 

The  bittern  (Botaurus  stellaris),  a 

medium-sized, brown heron, is a shy 

and secretive bird, generally heard 

more  often  than  seen.  It  is  widely 

associated with reed beds and its 

plumage is the perfect camouflage 

for its reedy home. When alarmed, 

bitterns stop and stretch their neck 

and  beak  upwards;  the  markings 

along  the  underside  of  their  neck 

imitate dry reedbed stems perfectly 

and the bittern will even sway in the 

wind.

The well-hidden bittern in Phragmites 
reedbeds

Wetland species

Although the species had stabilised 

overall  in  the  1990s,  with  stable  or 

increasing  trends  across  much  of 

Europe, its population has clearly not 

yet  recovered  to  the  level  that  pre-

ceded its decline. The loss of wetland 

habitat and their deterioration in qual-

ity are the main culprits for this situa-

tion. At the European level, the bittern 

has an unfavourable conservation sta-

tus, although at global level the bittern 

is considered not endangered due to 

its widespread distribution. 

The  bittern  has  benefited  from 

numerous  conservation  actions  in 

many  European  countries,  which 

The bittern is widespread but patch-
ily distributed breeder across much 

1990.  Some  three  quarters  of  its 
European total population are found 

were  mostly  financed  by  the  LIFE-
Nature  programme.  Indeed,  it  is 

of the EU, which accounts for less 

in Russia and the Ukraine. Accord-

the species most often targeted by 

than half its global breeding range. 

ing  to  BirdLife,  the  EU-25  is  home 

LIFE-Nature projects, with a total of 

Its  European  breeding  population 

is  relatively  small  (under  54,000 

to  7,900–10,000 

69 having carried out various general 

pairs, which represent 

measures that benefit the bittern in 

pairs),  and  underwent  a  large 

between  19  and  23%  of 

some  way,  and  about  20  projects 

decline  between  1970  and 

the European population.

that specifically target the bittern.

LIFE Co-op promoting the bittern in Europe

This LIFE Co-op project was launched in 2004 to collect, interpret, prepare and dis-

seminate the experiences, results and know-how of bittern LIFE projects. 

The project is run in close co-operation between three project partners from Germany, 

the UK and France: the Brandenburg State Office for Environment, the Royal Society for 

Protection of Birds and the Ligue pour la protection des Oiseaux. It is the first time that the 

wealth of experience from across the continent has been brought together and made easily 

accessible to a European audience.

This aim of this co-operation was the publication of the Bittern in Europe Handbook, which 

offers detailed guidelines for actions to promote bittern protection, enriched by many 

examples from all over Europe. It brings together the experience and knowledge devel-

oped by LIFE projects and in so doing, improves our understanding of bittern ecology 

and habitat requirements. 

The handbook has a very practical focus and is aimed at land managers, advisors and 

interested groups in wetland conservation. It is also aimed at government departments 

and agencies, water suppliers and local authorities.

Future bittern conservation projects will be able to draw upon the results and experi-

ences of the recent LIFE projects in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other 

countries. All these projects are proving that it is possible to reverse the decline of bit-

tern populations.

LIFE03 NAT/CP/D/000009

Handbook for Actions to Promote Bittern in Europe

The handbook can be downloaded in pdf format from the LIFE web-

site:  http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/life3/components/

documents/Bittern_in_Europe.pdf

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 61

LIFE project actions

These LIFE bittern projects have been focusing on conservation 

LIFE bittern projects have often been the starting point for 

actions to avoid their decline in most western European coun-

follow-up projects, funded either by a second phase of LIFE 

tries. The main actions involve the establishment of mecha-

or by other programmes. Prominent examples are the first 

nisms for the legal protection of the species and key Natura 

bittern project in the UK, the Siikalahti LIFE project in Finland, 

2000 sites by the implantation of legal binding management 

or the LIFE projects in Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western-

plans or the elaboration of national conservation or biodiversity 

Pomerania.

plans Additionally, there has been a great deal of ecological 

In France and the UK, LIFE projects organised national recov-

research, monitoring and assessment of the conservation sta-

ery programmes for the bittern. In many other countries, LIFE 

tus of the bittern. Specifically in terms of habitat management 

projects have restored and created wetland sites. The greatest 

and creation, LIFE projects have engaged in land purchase 

number of LIFE projects has been in countries where, according 

and water quality monitoring and management. Lastly, LIFE 

to the Bittern Action Plan, populations decreased significantly, 

has funded a range of awareness raising campaigns.

such as the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Ger-

LIFE projects have directly benefited the bittern by improving 

many and Italy (see graph).

habitat conditions at the project sites and increasing the local 

Indeed, given the breadth of activities funded by LIFE and the 

population. Moreover, most of the recent research programmes 

major role LIFE has played in the implementation of strategies 

on the bittern (France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, 
Germany) were either directly funded by LIFE or connected with 

for bittern conservation on the ground, it is very probable that 
the bittern’s status would be much worse in many countries, if 

LIFE projects.

LIFE funding had not been available.

LIFE targeting directly or indirectly the bittern projects by country (according to species range)

(cid:5)(cid:3)

(cid:5)(cid:2)

(cid:4)(cid:3)

(cid:4)(cid:2)

(cid:3)

(cid:2)

((cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:11)(cid:3)(cid:9)(cid:5)

(cid:27)*(cid:7)(cid:22)’+(cid:7)(cid:13)(cid:24)(cid:4)(cid:12)(cid:9)(cid:22)
)(cid:7)(cid:12)(cid:29)(cid:9)(cid:24)(cid:23)

,(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:23)(cid:5)(cid:3)-

.(cid:8)(cid:11)(cid:20)(cid:6)(cid:9)(cid:5)

/(cid:9)(cid:6)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:10)

/(cid:3)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:22)(cid:7)

0(cid:7)(cid:3)(cid:23)(cid:5)(cid:6)1

0(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:7)

2(cid:24)(cid:6)(cid:29)(cid:5)(cid:3)1

3(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:12)1

4(cid:5)(cid:11)(cid:28)(cid:9)(cid:5)

4(cid:9)(cid:11)’(cid:24)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:9)(cid:5)

5(cid:20)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:10)

5(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:24)(cid:29)(cid:5)(cid:12)

+(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:9)(cid:5)

(cid:19)(cid:12)(cid:20)(cid:28)(cid:5)-(cid:9)(cid:5)

(cid:19)(cid:12)(cid:20)(cid:28)(cid:7)(cid:6)(cid:9)(cid:5)

(cid:19)(cid:13)(cid:5)(cid:9)(cid:6)

6’(cid:7) (cid:7)(cid:11)’(cid:7)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:10)(cid:8)
(cid:19)(cid:14)(cid:7)(cid:10)(cid:7)(cid:6)

(cid:2)(cid:6)(cid:9)(cid:11)(cid:7)(cid:10)7(cid:9)(cid:6)(cid:29)(cid:10)(cid:20)(cid:23)

LIFE funding and other wetlands species

Wetlands,  whether  they  be  swamps, 

The Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bom-

(cid:2)  Aurora System - active presentation 

marshes, bogs, or flood plains, are home 

bina)  and  other  amphibian  species 

of Salamandra atra aurorae and other 

to a great variety of interesting species, 

were the subject of some six different 

and not just aquatic bird species. 

projects:

amphibians (LIFE04 NAT/IT/000167)
Dragonflies (Odonata) and Lepidop-

(cid:2)  Consolidation of Bombina bombina in 

tera (butterflies, moths and skippers) 

A large number of the species listed in 

Denmark (LIFE99 NAT/DK/006454)

meanwhile were the subject of three 

the Habitats Directive Annex II depend 

(cid:2)  Management  of  fire-bellied  toads 

different projects:

on wetland environments. The amphib-

in  the  Baltic  region  (LIFE04  NAT/

(cid:2)  Protection programme for endangered 

ians, reptiles, insects, mammals and 

DE/000028)

dragonfly species in the Southwest of 

plants included in the directive must all 

(cid:2)  Conservation of 4 endangered spe-

Germany (LIFE96 NAT/D/3036)

be maintained at a “favourable conser-

cies of amphibians in Luxembourg 

(cid:2)  Conservation of endangered arthro-

vation status” by the Member States. 

(LIFE96 NAT/L/003195)

pods of Extremadura (LIFE03 NAT/

(cid:2)  Restoration  of  priority  habitats  for 

E/000057)

Non-bird wetlands species that have in 

amphibians (LIFE05 NAT/E/000060)

(cid:2)  Conservation  and  upgrading  of 

particular benefited from multiple LIFE 

(cid:2)  Protection  of  Triturus  cristatus  in 

habitats  for  rare  butterflies  of  wet, 

projects include species of amphibians 

Eastern Baltic Region (LIFE04 NAT/

semi-natural meadows (LIFE06 NAT/

and dragonflies:

EE/000070)

PL/000100)

Further projects focusing on wetlands

The table below provides further examples of LIFE projects focusing on wetlands.
For more information on individual projects, visit the online database at:  
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm

The database provides useful, detailed search fields – for example under “keyword” (alphabetical or  
thematic) users may search under “wetlands”, “freshwater ecosystem”, “lake”, etc. Other search fields 
are “type of beneficiary” (e.g “Development Agency”, “NGO Foundation”, Park-Reserve Authority” etc; 
and “type of project area” for example, “coastal wetlands”, “continental waters”, “inland wetland” etc.

Country

Start Number

N A T U R E
Name

Austria

1998

LIFE98 NAT/A/005413

Water World March-Thaya-Auen

2000

LIFE00 NAT/A/007051

Management of floodplains on the Tisza

Belgium

1999

LIFE99 NAT/B/006285

Restoration of wetlands in Belgian Lorraine 

2000

LIFE00 NAT/B/007148

Actions for Birds of Reedbeds in Bassin de la Haine

2002

LIFE02 NAT/B/008595

Minerotrofic mires and heath ecosystems in the Zuiderkempen

2003

LIFE03 NAT/B/000019

Rehabilitation of peat and wet habitats on the Saint-Hubert Plateau

2003

LIFE03 NAT/B/000020

Restoration and management of the lowland mire “Damvallei”

2003

LIFE03 NAT/B/000023

Uitkerkse Polder: a surplus value for nature and people

Denmark

2002

LIFE02 NAT/DK/008588

Improving status of coastal lagoon Tryggelev Nor, Denmark - IMAGE

2002

LIFE02 NAT/DK/008589

Restoration of Lake Fure - a nutrient-rich lake near Copenhagen

2005

LIFE05 NAT/DK/000150

Restoration of raised bogs in Denmark with new methods

Estonia

2000

LIFE00 NAT/EE/007082

Restoration and management of the Häädemeeste wetland complex

2003

LIFE03 NAT/EE/000180

Conservation of NATURA 2000 biotopes in Räpina polder

Finland

2000

LIFE00 NAT/FIN/007060

Protection and usage of aapa mires with a rich avifauna

2000

LIFE00 NAT/FIN/007061

Protection and management of the valuable wetland Siikalahti

2002

LIFE02 NAT/FIN/008470

Restoration of mire and bog ecosystems in North-Savo with reference to  
environmental education

2002

LIFE02 NAT/FIN/008471

Protection of valuable bird-rich wetlands in Central Finland

2002

LIFE02 NAT/CP/FIN/000027 Best practices in Finnish Wetlands - networking for improved wetland  

2003

LIFE03 NAT/FIN/000036

Karelian mires and virgin forests

management 

2004

LIFE04 NAT/FI/000076

Restoration and maintenance of valuable aquatic bird habitats of Pirkanmaa

2006

LIFE06 NAT/FIN/000128

Promotion of public awareness and protection of aapa mires in Lapland

2006

LIFE06 NAT/FIN/000129

From Ancient to the Present Estuary, Kokemäenjoki Wetland Chain 

France

1998

LIFE98 NAT/F/005192

Wetlands of Gavot 

1999

LIFE99 NAT/F/006315

Preservation and restoration of the habitats of the Ill wetland at Sélestat

2004

LIFE04 NAT/FR/000086

Conservation of the Aquatic Warbler in Brittany

2004

LIFE04 NAT/FR/000087

Conservation of the most remarkables habitats and species of the Poitevin 
Marshes

Germany

1998

LIFE98 NAT/D/005081

Protection of priority bog habitats and of the Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) in the 
Area of Upper Havel

2000

LIFE00 NAT/D/007042

Optimization of the SPA ‘Düsterdieker Niederung’

2000

LIFE00 NAT/D/007043

“Hohes Moor” peat bog

2000

LIFE00 NAT/D/007057

Restoration of clear water lakes, mires and swamp forests of the Lake Stechlin

2002

LIFE02 NAT/D/008462

Optimisation of the Blitzenreuter Seenplatte biosphere

 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 63

Country

Start Number

N A T U R E
Name

Germany

2003

LIFE03 NAT/D/000004

Regeneration of “Grosses Torfmoor”

2003

LIFE03 NAT/D/000005

Conservation and development of the inland salt marshes of Northern Thuringia

2003

LIFE03NAT/CP/D/000009

Handbook for Actions to promote Bittern in Europe

2005

LIFE05 NAT/D/000053

Rosenheimer master basin bogs

2005

LIFE05 NAT/D/000111

Conservation and development of the inland salt marshes of Brandenburg

2005

LIFE05 NAT/D/000152

Rehabilitation of the Baltic coastal lagoon habitat complex

Greece

1999

LIFE99 NAT/GR/006475

Conservation management of Amvrakikos wetlands

2002

LIFE02 NAT/GR/008491

Conservation management in Stofylia-Kotychi

2003

LIFE03 NAT/GR/000092

Implementation of management measures at the Agras wetland

2004

LIFE04 NAT/GR/000105

Actions for the conservation of Mediterranean temporary ponds in Crete

Hungary

2002

LIFE02 NAT/H/008634

Restoration of pannonic steppes, marshes of Hortobágy National Park

2004

LIFE04 NAT/HU/000118

Complex habitat rehabilitation of the Central Bereg Plain, Northeast Hungary

Ireland

2000

LIFE00 NAT/IRL/007128

Restoration Management for Annex I Birds at Termoncarragh Lake SPA

2002

LIFE02 NAT/IRL/008490

Restoring Active Blanket Bog in Ireland

2004

LIFE04 NAT/IE/000121

Restoring raised bogs in Ireland

Italy

1998

LIFE98 NAT/IT/005032

Lake Caldaro - an oasis for migratory birds in the heart of the Alps

1998

LIFE98 NAT/IT/005117

Maremma Park: management of wetlands and sand dunes 

1999

LIFE99 NAT/IT/006212

Biodiversity of Iseo peat-moss: conservation and management

1999

LIFE99 NAT/IT/006235

Actions of environmental restoration of Alserio Lake

1999

LIFE99 NAT/IT/006248

Urgent actions for the conservation of some SCI in Foligno area

2000

LIFE00 NAT/IT/007161

Paludi di Ostiglia: intervention for the protection of priority birds

2000

LIFE00 NAT/IT/007209

Conservation and management of the biotope ‘S. Genuario Wetland’

2000

LIFE00 NAT/IT/007246

Restoration of the Soltarico oxbow Lake

2000

LIFE00 NAT/IT/007281

NEMOS project - improvement of Alpine wetland areas

2002

LIFE02 NAT/IT/008533

Conservation and improvement of habitats inthe SPA of Vendicari

2004

LIFE04 NAT/IT/000177

Safeguard and showing off of the peat-bogs in Danta (Cadore)

Latvia

2003

LIFE03 NAT/LV/000081

Lake Pape - conservation, preservation and evolution

2003

LIFE03 NAT/LV/000083

Management of the Lubana Wetland Complex, Latvia

2004

LIFE04 NAT/LV/000196

Implementation of mire habitat management plan for Latvia

Netherlands

2000

LIFE00 NAT/NL/007049

Peat bog restoration programme of the Korenburgerveen

2002

LIFE02 NAT/NL/008486

Restoration of biotope for Botaurus stellaris, Anas penelope and Limosa limosa 
in the SPA Ilperveld

2004

LIFE04 NAT/NL/000202

Tiengemeten, restoration of freshwater tidal area in the Haringvliet estuary,  
the Netherlands

2004

LIFE04 NAT/NL/000206

From degraded to active raised bogs pSCI Bargerveen

2006

LIFE06 NAT/NL/000074

Wetlands: challenges and innovation in succession management 

Poland

2004

LIFE04 NAT/PL/000208

Conservation of baltic raised bogs in Pomerania, Poland

Portugal

2000

LIFE00 NAT/P/007085

Palustris, Management of the Special Area of Conservation of the Marsh of 
Arzila

Romania

1999

LIFE99 NAT/RO/006400

Integrated Management plan for the “Small Island of Braila”

2002

LIFE02 NAT/RO/008573

Conservation of the natural wet habitat of Satchinez (continuation of the project 
99NAT/RO/006394)

2004

LIFE04 NAT/RO/000220

Improving wintering conditions for Branta ruficollis at Techirghiol

Country

Start Number

N A T U R E
Name

Slovakia

2003

LIFE03 NAT/SK/000096

Restoration of Water Regime in Sur Fen Nature Reserve

2005

LIFE05 NAT/SK/000112

Restoration of Wetlands at Zahorie Lowland

2006

LIFE06 NAT/SK/000114

Conservation of Senne and Medzibodrozie SPAs in Slovakia

Slovenia

2006

LIFE06 NAT/SI/000069

Intermittent Cerknica Lake

Spain

1997

LIFE97 NAT/E/004179

Conservation of the Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) in the Endorreic Wetlands of the 
Ebro valley in Navarra

1999

LIFE99 NAT/E/006417

Conservation of priority habitats in the Valencian Community

1999

LIFE99 NAT/E/006339

Restoration of three wetland areas in Villacañas (Toledo)

2000

LIFE00 NAT/E/007330

SCI Parga-Ladra-Támoga: recovery of bog woodland and dystrophic lake

2002

LIFE02 NAT/E/008616

Conservation of the aquatic warbler in the ZEPA ‘La Nava-Campos’

2003

LIFE03 NAT/E/000052

Conservation and management of the SPA for Birds site of Community interest 
wetland “La Albuera” in Extremadura  

2005

LIFE05 NAT/E/000058

Management and conservation of temporary ponds in Minorca

2006

LIFE06 NAT/E/000213

Wetland restoration and management: Canal de Castilla Special Protection Area 

Sweden

2000

LIFE00 NAT/S/007117

Coastal Meadows and Wetlands in the Agricultural Landscape of Öland

2004

LIFE04 NAT/SE/000230

Improvement of habitats for wetland birds in Askö-Tidö

2006

LIFE06 NAT/S/000113

Restoration of the Wetland Area of Hejnum Kallgate 

United

2000

LIFE00 NAT/UK/007075

Restoring active blanket bog of European importance in North Scotland

Kingdom

2000

LIFE00 NAT/UK/007078

Restoration of Scottish raised bogs

2002

LIFE02 NAT/UK/008544

Sustainable Wetland Restoration in the New Forest

2002

LIFE02 NAT/UK/008527

Developing a strategic network of SPA reedbeds for Botaurus stellaris

Country

Start Number

Name

E N V I R O N M E N T

Germany

2000

LIFE00 ENV/D/000351

Living Lakes: Sustainable Management of wetlands and shallow lakes 

Portugal

1999

LIFE99 ENV/P/000673

Integrated Managmeent Structure of Ria de Aveiro : ESGIRA - MARIA

Spain

2003

LIFE03 ENV/E/000118

Integrated management of lighting in the Albufera Nature Reserve (Valencia)

2004

LIFE04 ENV/ES/000269

Integrated management of agriculture in the surrondings of community impor-
tance wetlands (sustainable wetlands) 

Sweden

1996

LIFE96 ENV/S/000346

Wetlands in agricultural areas - complementary remedies to reduce nutrient 
transport to inland and co 

Country

Start Number

Name

T H I R D   C O U N T R I E S

Albania

2003

LIFE03 TCY/AL/000004

Capacity building on conservation of Albanian wetland ecosystems (alwet)

Bosnia 
Hezgorvina

1999

LIFE99 TCY/BIH/000035

Development of a new management policy for the Hutovo Blato wetlands,  
Bosnia-Herzegovina 

International

2003

LIFE03 TCY/INT/000031

Protection et Développement Durable des Zones Humides en Afrique du Nord

2002

LIFE02 TCY/INT/000069

Wetlands Moroccan Centre

1994

LIFE94 TCY/INT/000988

MEDWET: Conservation and wise use of wetlands in the Mediterranean Basin

Israel

1997

LIFE97 TCY/IL/000038

Russia

2004

LIFE04 TCY/ROS/000050

Restoration and conservation in the re-flooded Hula wetland habitat in northern 
Israel 

Bringing Regional Protected Areas of the Leningrad region (Russian Federation) 
into European Context

   
 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s wetlands  I  p. 65

Available LIFE publications

LIFE-Focus brochures

Other publications

A number of LIFE publications are 
available on the LIFE website:

LIFE  and  waste  recycling:  Innovative 
waste management options in Europe) 
(2007 - 60 pp. - ISBN 978-92-79-07397-7) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/recycling.pdf

LIFE and Europe’s rivers – Protecting 
and  improving  our  water  resources 
(2007 – 52pp. ISBN 978-92-79-05543-0 
- ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/rivers.pdf

LIFE and Energy – Innovative solutions 
for sustainable and efficient energy in 
Europe (2007 – 64pp. ISBN 978 92-79-
04969-9 - ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/energy_lr.pdf

LIFE and the marine environment  
(2006 – 54pp. ISBN 92-79-03447-2- ISSN 
1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/marine_lr.pdf

LIFE and European forests (2006 - 68pp. 
ISBN 92-79-02255-5 - ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/forest_lr.pdf

LIFE in the City – Innovative solutions 
for Europe’s urban environment (2006, 
64pp.  -  ISBN  92-79-02254-7  –  ISSN 
1725-5619)    http://ec.europa.eu/envi-
ronment/life/publications/lifepublica-
tions/lifefocus/documents/urban_lr.pdf

Integrated  management  of  Natura 
2000 sites (2005 - 48 pp. – ISBN 92-79-
00388-7) http://ec.europa.eu/environment/
life/publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/managingnatura_lr.pdf

LIFE,  Natura  2000  and  the  military 
(2005  -  86  pp.  –  ISBN  92-894-9213-9 
– ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/military_en.pdf

LIFE for birds - 25 years of the Birds 
Directive:  the  contribution  of  LIFE-
Nature projects (2004 - 48 pp. – ISBN 
92-894-7452-1 – ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/birds_en.pdf

The air we breathe - LIFE and the Euro-
pean Union clean air policy (2004 - 32 pp. 
– ISBN 92-894-7899-3 – ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/lifeair_hr.pdf

LIFE-Nature:  communicating  with 
stakeholders and the general public 
- Best practice examples for Natura 
2000  (2004  -  72  pp.  –  ISBN  92-894-
7898-5 – ISSN 1725-5619) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/natcommunicat_lr.pdf

A cleaner, greener Europe - LIFE and 
the  European  Union  waste  policy 
(2004  -  28  pp.  –  ISBN  92-894-6018-0 
– ISSN 1725-5619) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/waste_en.pdf

Industrial  pollution,  European  solu-
tions: clean technologies - LIFE and 
the Directive on integrated pollution 
prevention and control (IPPC Direc-
tive)  (2003  -  32  pp.  –  ISBN  92-894-
6020-2 – ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/cleantech_en.pdf

LIFE and agri-environment support-
ing Natura 2000 - Experience from the 
LIFE programme (2003 - 72 pp. – ISBN 
92-894-6023-7 – ISSN N° 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/agrienvironment_en.pdf

LIFE for Natura 2000 - 10 years imple-
menting the regulation (2003 - 108 pp. 
– ISBN 92-894-4337-5)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/lifefornatura_en.pdf

Best LIFE-Environment Projects 2006-2007 
(2007,  44  pp.-ISBN  978-92-79-06699-3  
ISSN 1725-5619)  
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/ 
publications/lifepublications/bestprojects 
documents/bestenv07.pdf

LIFE-Third Countries 1992-2006 (2007, 
64 pp. – ISBN 978-92-79-05694-9 – ISSN 
1725-5619) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/TCY_lr.pdf

Best  LIFE-Environment  Projects  2005-
2006  (2006,  40  pp.  ISBN  92-79-02123-0) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/ 
publications/lifepublications/bestprojects/
documents/bestenv06_lr.pdf 

LIFE-Environment 1992 – 2004 “Dem-
onstrating excellence in environmen-
tal innovation” (2005, 124 pp. – ISBN 
92-894-7699-3 – ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/lifeenv92_04.pdf

LIFE-Environment Projects 2006 compi-
lation (2006, 56 pp.-ISBN 92-79-02786-7)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/
l i f e / p u b l i c a t i o n s / l i f e p u b l i c a t i o n s / 
compilations/documents/envcompila-
tion06.pdf

LIFE-Nature Projects 2006 compilation 
(2006,  67  pp.  –  ISBN  92-79-02788-3) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/compila-
tions/documents/natcompilation06.pdf

LIFE-Third  Countries  Projects  2006 
compilation (2006, 20 pp. – ISBN 92-
79-02787-5) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/
l i f e / p u b l i c a t i o n s / l i f e p u b l i c a t i o n s / 
compilations/documents/tcycompila-
tion06.pdf

A number of printed copies of cer-
tain  LIFE  publications  are  availa-

ble  and  can  be  ordered  free-of-

charge  at:  http://ec.europa.eu/ 

environment/life/publications/

order.htm