Odtworzenie oraz zachowanie obszarów bagiennych, torfowisk i terenów podmokłych na obszarach Natura 2000 i Zielonej Infrastruktury.

Project Aim

The aim of the project is to create opportunities for the implementation of the Prioritised Action Framework for the Natura 2000 network in Poland in the areas of marshes, peatlands, and wetlands in Natura 2000 and Green Infrastructure areas.

Background on Peatlands

Peatlands are one of the fastest-disappearing ecosystems in our climate zone, which are subject to progressive degradation due to changes in hydrological conditions.

According to the data from the report on the implementation of the Habitats Directive, the conservation status of habitats classified as marshes, peatlands, or other wetlands was assessed as unfavourable-inadequate (U1) or unfavourable-bad (U2).

Conservation Measures

According to the PAF in Poland for the years 2021-2027 and the reports of the Ramsar Convention, active protection measures should be taken to maintain or improve the conservation status of these habitats. This applies to:

1. Habitats from Annex I of the Habitats Directive
2. Wetlands not included in the Annex, which are important for the preservation of selected populations of plant and animal species associated with them

These measures are relevant within designated Natura 2000 areas as well as outside them, i.e., Green Infrastructure.

Project Implementation

As part of the project for the above-mentioned habitats in Natura 2000 areas, it is planned to define active protection tasks and their implementation together with the designation of buffer zones for 100% of habitats.

In the areas of Green Infrastructure affecting Natura 2000 areas, protective measures will be proposed, preceded by:

• Mapping
• Determination of the state
• Designation of buffer zones

Monitoring and Long-term Effects

The project partners will monitor the effects of the active protection tasks carried out in terms of:

• Restoring the proper hydrological regime
• Improving biodiversity
• Reducing CO2 emissions

The main effect in the long term will be the improvement of the habitats' state of marshes, peatlands, and wetlands in Natura 2000 and Green Infrastructure areas.