Alpine Biogeographical Region Workshop Wetland Working Group

Transcription

1 Workshop Wetland Working Group Graz, Austria June 2013

2 Code Habitat Score 7140 Transition mires and quaking bogs Alkaline Fens 11 91D0 Bog woodland Active raised bogs 7

3 The Field Trip Gesäuse National Park Pürgschachen Moos Edlacher Moo

4 Key Learning Point 1 Get the hydrology right and restoration takes care of itself in the long term, e.g. grassland reversion and scrub control (7110)

5 Key Learning Point 2 Communication and agreement with surrounding landowners is essential to success, e.g. open ditch at Pürgschachen Moos (7110)

6 Key Learning Point 3 Conservation grazing schemes and collaboration with different stakeholders should be considered, e.g. hunters and sustainable use (7230)

7 Key Learning Point 4 Habitat management decisions need to be supported by appropriate monitoring.

8 Key Learning Point 5 Management plans need to be developed that adopt a more holistic approach, e.g. vegetation, species, hydrology, nutrients, climate adaptation etc.

9 Issues & Problems

10 Issues and Problems Favourable hydraulic conditions 9 Afforestation & existing plantations 1 Even age structure (91D0) 0 Overgrazing by large herbivores (incl. trampling) 4 Climate change (biotic & abiotic) 6 Surrounding land use 3 Land conversion & intensification 0 Recreation trampling 1 Ecosystem service awareness 6 ATV damage 1r Natural functioning vs sustainable use 1 Mining 0 Windfarms 0 Large carnivores 2 Nutrient pollution (air & water) 1 Understanding causes of change (climate vs management) 0 Road construction (hydrological impacts) 1

11 Solutions

12 Top 3 Solutions Favourable Hydrology Controllable ditch blocking 7 Knowledge transfer (vertical & horizontal) 11 Monitoring (basline & impact) 7 Climate Change Create functional habitat networks 10 Ensure active peat formation 7 Link to climate finance agenda 7 Ecosystem Service Awareness Communicate key messages 10 Describe & evaluate ecosystem services 9 Communication plans & curricula 8

13 Issue #1: Favourable Hydrology Controllable ditch blocking 7 Knowledge transfer incl. best legal practice 11 Monitoring (basline & impact) 7 Polluter / drainer pays 2 Communication with neighbours 2 Vegetation removal, e.g. trees 0 Ecohydrological assessments (restoration & impact) 0 Protect sites with intact conditions 3 Implement cross-compliance measures 0 Adopt a landscape perspective, e.g. green infrastructure 1 Define desired outcome and time needed 1 Use alternative funding sources, e.g. EU climate fund 2 Encourage greater Nordic collaboration (SE + Norway) 0

14 Issue #2: Climate Change Create functional habitat networks 10 improve connectivity (vertical & horizontal) identify future restoration areas create larger habitat patches maintain space for nature i.e. existing sites Ensure active peat formation 7 Links to climate finance agenda 7 Optimise management to improve resilience 4 Retain genetic variation 1 Use climate as a restoration priority consideration 5 Vegetation removal 0 Change monitoring networks to detect climate impact 1 Modify habitat data sheets 0 Use new N2K adaptation guidelines 0

15 Issue #3: Ecosystem Services Awareness Communicate key messages 10 flood regulation carbon sink poor management increases natural emissions (fens) practical demonstrations, e.g. LIFE ecotourism water quality visualisations, e.g. what if.? human health Describe & evaluate ecosystem services 9 Communication plans & curricula 8 Hit where it hurts (wallet!) 0 Positive marketing, e.g. brand biodiversity 6 Identify champions from all sectors 0 Research: ecohealth & valuation for wetlands 2

16 Concrete Actions

17 ISSUE #1 SOLUTION ACTIONS Favourable hydrology Knowledge transfer Monitoring 1. Use the communication platform, e.g. project links and best practice (ALL) 2. Study visits to restored sites (SE) 3. Knowledge-sharing meetings (SE) 4. LIFE networking project proposal. 5. Make links with EPBRS (SI) 1. Compare monitoring protocols that can determine favourable hydrological status, consider EU MON reports first. 2. Pilot capture of remote-sensing images for communication and enforcement purposes, e.g. before and after. Controllable ditchblocking 1. Learn from LIFE projects across all biogeographical regions (ALL) 2. Review published methodologies. 3. Organise digger driver peer-peer training (ALL)

18 ISSUE #2 SOLUTION ACTIONS Climate change Functional habitat networks Secure active peat formation 1. Explore synergies with freshwater group (ECNC) 2. Raise site manager awareness of existing ecological networks and green infrastructure (ALL) 3. Share modelling methodologies. 4. Scope how functional habitat linkage can be used as a consideration when new sites are notified (NB altered post workshop, OK?) 5. Pilot wetland functional network restoration/management approach. 1. See ditch-blocking actions. Climate finance agenda 1. Explore opportunities to use 20% climate fund under EU but also consider LIFE; private finance; revolving funds; loans etc. (ALL)

19 ISSUE #3 SOLUTION ACTIONS Ecosystem services awareness Key message communication Describe and evaluate services 1. Develop communication package for the identified messages. 2. Identify links between services and specific social groups. 3. Develop educational resources that are curriculum specific (ALL) 4. Improve on-site information about services (ALL) 1. Use TEEB and similar studies such as the N2K DG publication and SE project (ALL) Communication plans & school curricula development 1. See key message actions.

20 Species Requirements

21 Management Issues Reindeer impacts on Cladina spp need to be regulated in Fennoscandia The needs of large carnivores need to be considered across the Region see EU Large Carnivore Initiative Management must be integrated for Annex I + II should not have issues with Annex II species! A healthy landscape matrix is critical for species Promote functional habitat networks What needs to be done that s not currently happening? management prescriptions required, especially for invertebrates Maintain different successional stages on sites Manage beyond N2K sites, e.g metapopulations

22 Tourism

23 Tourism Impacts Fragmentation and loss from infrastructure 10 buildings, roads, electricity, water and waste ski slope creation & management Pollution from nutrients, cars, coaches, rubbish etc 3 Disturbance of sensitive areas (vertebrates & vegetation) 10 off-piste skiing, snow shoes, ATVs, geocashing loss of intact wildlands for large carnivores Failure to follow rules, e.g. fires 1 Lack of impact monitoring 0 Regulation of rivers for boat recreation 2 flow modification access infrastructure Feeding animals 1 habituation artificially high numbers Collection (plants, eggs, insects, fossils etc.) 0

24 Impact #1: Fragmentation & Loss Landscape spatial planning, e.g. zonation 8 Use of Article 6.3 & Restoration after use ends, e.g. logging roads 5 Improve urban environment/quality of life 1 Utilise low impact infrastructure 6 building materials (source & suitability) technical solutions (composting toilets) ecological solutions (ecoducts & tunnels) Awareness raising (tourists & tourist sector) 2 Conservation management strategies (sensitive spp) 1

25 Impact #2: Disturbance Clear, legally-binding regulation 3 Enhance honey pot areas 3 Regulation enforcement (more rangers) 8 Awareness raising 7 tourism organisations tour operators resorts alpine clubs etc. Physical path blocking & bridge removal 1 Monitoring & assessing impact (site carrying capacity) 5 Collate disturbance impact research

26 Impact #3: Pollution More natural sewage treatment, e.g. reedbeds 4 More rangers to enforce environmental protection 5 Develop visitor management strategies, e.g. park & ride 9 Use renewables to power mountain huts (PVs) 6 Raise awareness 6

27 IMPACT #1 SOLUTIONS ACTIONS Landscape spatial planning 1. To be decided. Fragmentation & loss Use Article 6.3 & To be decided. Low impact infrastructure 1. To be decided.

28 IMPACT #2 SOLUTIONS ACTIONS Regulation enforcement 1. To be decided. Disturbance Awareness raising 1. To be decided. Monitoring & assessing impacts 1. To be decided.

29 IMPACT #3 SOLUTIONS ACTIONS Develop visitor management strategies 1. To be decided. Pollution Use renewables to power mountain huts 1. To be decided. Raise awareness 1. To be decided.

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