Renaturalisation of inland delta of Nida River

The LIFE4DELTA_PL project aims at improving the water conditions of the inland delta of the Nida River in Poland; thereby contributing to the restoration of the area?s unique ecosystems and mosaic of habitats, and the conservation status of its charateristic species.

Specific objectives are to:

* Create ?gene reserves? to conserve plant species typical of the region that are threatened with extinction;

* Restore pastures, abandoned in the 1980s, to improve the conservation status of meadow habitats and species, and also help create new jobs and restore cultural patterns related to pastureland;

* Raise the awareness of the local community about the threats and the need to protect the most valuable ecosystems of the region, as well as to educate a wider audience; and

* Assess the socioeconomic effect of the activities carried out, to increase their replicability potential.

Expected results:

* Improved water conditions in the inland Nida River delta and Pi?czów forest complex by building 8 hydroengineering facilities, and restoring old river beds over 16 km, drainage ditches over 28 km and eutrophic water bodies on 6 ha;

* Purchase of 110 ha of land for conservation actions;

* Improved habitat conservation status of Alluvial forests on 98 ha, Lowland hay meadows on 193 ha, and Molinia meadows on 28 ha;

* Initiation of pasturing by 60 cows at five grazing stations on 232 ha;

* Improved habitat conditions for six bird species on 285 ha;

* Construction of 10 nests for white stork (Ciconia ciconia) and a nesting platform for white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) with an existing one strengthened;

* Reintroduction of European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) at one site;

* Restoration of thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) by establishing at least 20 shoals, reintroduction of the freshwater snail Anisus vorticulus on four sites,fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) on six sites, northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus) on two sites, and Desmoulin's whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana) on 20 microsites;

* Maintenance of the gene pool of plant species, including the reconstruction of 0.6 ha of semi-natural dry grassland and scrubland habitat and the establishment of a substitute site for the plants Serratula lycopifolia, Carlina onopordifolia, Dorycnium germanicum and Linum flavum;

* Reduced risk of human impacts on the inland delta of the River Nida through measures that channel tourist traffic and construct visitor infrastructure (e.g. 3 110 m of educational pathways and a birdwatching tower and a platform), along with increased awareness of environmental protection and Nature 2000; and

Improved economic status of the local community by providing them with new opportunities to earn money.