Restoration of Calluna-heaths under the premises of forest conversion, drinking water production and cockchafers (Melolontha hippocastani)

Transcription

1 Restoration of Calluna-heaths under the premises of forest conversion, drinking water production and cockchafers (Melolontha hippocastani) Klaus Kretschmer Biologische Station im Kreis Wesel e.v Freybergweg 9 D Wesel

2 Acidophilic oak woods with bogs and heaths to (extended)

3 39 Actions Preparatory actions A.1 Hydrogeological expertise A.2 Chemical analysis of bog waters Purchase/lease of land B.1 Land acquisition Concrete conservation actions C.1 Development of pine forests into oak wood (9190) C.2 Conversion of non-indigenous coniferous forests to oak wood (9190) C.3 Development of Bog woodland (91DO*) C.4 Combating of Prunus serotina C.5 Reduction of trees in bog boundary areas C.6 Development of new dry heaths D.6 Gifts for promotion C.7 Removal of trees and bushes D.7 Layman report in bugs D.8 Presentations and excursions C.8 Restoration of dry heaths and D.9 Newsletter open grasslands D.10 Conferences and workshop C.9 Desludging of a dystrophic D.11 Life-Networking Lake C.10 Development of wet heaths Monitoring and project operation C.11 Digging of 2 dystrophic ponds E.1 Monitoring of Rana arvalis C.12 Improvement of larval habitats E.2... Leucorrhinia pectoralis for Rana arvalis E.3... Loronium natans C.13 and Leucorrhinia pectoralis E.4 Coronella austriaca C.14 Tranquilization of habitats for E.5 Establishment of reference Coronella austriaca and Lullula areas arborea E.6 Catalog of old Fagus sylvatica C.15 Breeding grounds for Lucanus trees cervus E.7 Project management and C.16 Backfill of drainage ditches administration E.8 Financial audit Public awareness and dissemination of E.9 After-LIFE conservation plan results D.1 Trails for the adventure nature D.2 Press work D.3 Homepage D.4 Exhibition D.5 Flyer

4 Atlantic region Location Site Sand habitats: Inland dunes formed by windblown sand along the rivers Rhine and Lippe, after the Saale ice-age. Area (ha) DE , Großes Veen 90 DE , Diersfordter Wald / Schnepfenberg 580 DE , Schwarzes Wasser 100 DE , Lippeaue 583 DE , Drevenacker Dünen 305 DE , Kaninchenberge 104 Total 6 Natura-2000 sites Germany, State Northrhine-Westfalia Lower Rhine Area

5 Target: Better conditions for the Black water Situation: Historical heathland was reforested in the last centuries Loss of open sand habitats and typical species The area surrounding the dystrophic pond Black water changed from the an open landscape to forest Microclimate and water balance of the Black water changed accordingly Typical types of the Littorella uniflora-communities like Luronium natans are nearly extinct Actions / Objectives: Development of additional 2,4 ha of dry heathland with Calluna vulgaris Removing trees around the Black water to reduce transpiration and to generate changes of the water level Desludging of shore areas to improve the conditions for Luronium natans

6 LIFE actions The conversion of forest to heath requires afforestation elsewhere. Therefore an approval is necessary. This has caused problems...

7 Reforestation and cockchafer Another afforestation (Action C.2) was significantly damaged by larvae of cockchafers. Now the licensing authority has doubts about the suitability of the compensation area.

8 Protection of groundwater Close to the heathland there are waterworks. The operators fear contamination of groundwater with nutrients demineralised by the conversion of forest to heathland. Furthermore they fear damage to a loam layer witch separates the floating groundwater above from the groundwater used for drinking water.

9 Solutions Cockchafer (Melolontha hippocastani) A monitoring of the larvae has been agreed, but has delayed the project (an extension is approved). It begins this month; once the results are confirmed, it is to be decided whether the area is suitable. If the area is not suitable another area is necessary. Because there is none inside the project area, the forest compensation must be outside and will not be financed by LIFE-funds. Protection of groundwater Installation of several groundwater monitoring wells (at least 3 years of monitoring). Humus and topsoil will be removed from the area. Construction supervision by a hydrologist.

10 More information Symposium: Implementation of the Habitats Directive in inland dune-based sandy habitats of the Atlantic region 22./23. September