Restoration of Coastal Meadows in Matsalu, Estonia

General

National Id:

Estonia_01

Site name:

Salmi coastal meadow, Matsalu National Park

Summary:

The measure was implemented in Matsalu National Park, Estonia, a former coastal meadow site (Natura 2000 and Ramsar site) next to a big Salmi coastal meadow with many priority species. The old non-functioning small ditches were closed and scraped to restore the wetland hydrology and breeding and feeding grounds for waders and amphibians. Before the restoration works the area was used mainly for bovine grazing and the restoration did not change the conditions for that. However, due to the activities drinking water will be better available for the cattle. The project was implemented in 2013.

The in-depth description of the case study:

cs-ee_01-final_version.pdf

NUTS Code:

Eesti

RBD code:

EE1

Transboundary:

Data provider:

Sandra Oisalu, BEF Estonia

Source(s):

Ecosystem Restoration Case Study Template

Looduskaitseline ekspertiis pilootaladele Lääne- ja Hiiumaa kraavitatud rannaniitudel

Salmi rannaniidu taastamine, tí¶í¶ nr 13/1136

NWRM(s) implemented in the case study:

Wetland restoration and management

Longitude:

23.6666

Latitude:

58.7167

Site information

Climate zone:

cool temperate moist

Mean annual rainfall:

600 - 900 mm

Mean rainfall unit:

mm/year

Type:

Actual Test Site

Light or indepth?:

In-depth

Average slope range:

2-5%

Vegetation class:

Habitat site of rare species - Platanthera bifolia, Dactylorhiza incarnata). At the moment in ditches - Lythrum salicaria, Carex vulpina, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Mentha aquatica, Alisma plantagoaquatica, Sparganium emersum.

Monitoring maintenance

Monitoring impacts effects:

Administrative annual cost information:

The Environmental Board is carrying out the monitoring of the waders in the area and the monitoring will show if the birds have started to use the area †“ this in their annual plan

Performance

Performance impact estimation method:

Catchment outlet

Performance impact estimation information:

The effectiveness of the measure depends on the habitat -if the species formerly identified in the coastal meadow (before the land improvement activities in the past) - so methodology will be counting the habitats

Biophysical impacts

Information on Water quality overall improvements:

The wetland had good quality water, chemical status is good. It is a Nature2000 site. No pollution has been marked. The aim was not to rise the quality of water but to restore the hydrological regime.

Lessons, risks, implications...

Key lessons:

Reaching common ground with different stakeholders is a time consuming process and need moderation in order to come to agreements satisfying all involved parties.

Financing mechanism information:

Mainly WWF fuding with soe national contribution.

Financing difficulties:

financing funding solutions:

Main amount of activities was financed by WWF, however, Estonian State Forest Management Centre in frame of their frame project agreed to finance some of the practical works.

Success factor(s):

Type	Role	Comments
Financing possibilities	main factor	As it was project based activity then there were financial sources to carry out the activities.
Existing staff and consultant knowledge	main factor	Engaged project team (Estonian Fund for Nature)

Financing:

Type	Comments
Other	Mainly financed by WWF, also contribution to practical works by State Forest Management Centre

Barrier:

Type	Role	Comments
Lacking coordination between authorities	main barrier	It was quite difficult to find common ground with Environmental Board, Agricultural Board and State Forestry - Estonian Fund for Nature had two years of meetings with them before they could manage to complete the project.
Other	secondary barrier	Although there was enough information about this quite small and well known site, the State Forestry did not give permission to carry out the works without the official melioration plan for getting more data.

Driver:

Type	Role	Comments
Organisation committed to it	main driver	The method for restoring the wetland was chosen for testing by Estonian Fund for Nature and it was done in frame of a project funded by WWF.

Financing share:

Share type	Share	Comments
		As State Forestry maangement Centres contribution is not known then cannot define the %

Socio-economic

Direct benefits information:

Effective implementation of the measure will restore the habitat of the coastal meadow and will thus add to implementing the Nature Protection Act and Estonian Environmental Strategy 2030. As a Natura2000 and Ramsar site the restoration activity also contributes to their requirements.

Costs total information:

Part of the costs were covered by WWF project - ca 11 500 eur - some parctical works and costs for meetings and travel. However, part of the costruction costs were paid by State Forest Management Centre in frame of one frame project so costs are not available.

Compensations annual information:

No compansation for land owneres

Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity:

The species ( rare species - Platanthera bifolia, Dactylorhiza incarnata). At the moment in ditches - Lythrum salicaria, Carex vulpina, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Mentha aquatica, Alisma plantagoaquatica, Sparganium emersum.) ave formerly (before the land improvement works) been living in the area so restoration works provided possibility to for suitable habitat conditions for the species. Hoowever, monitoring is needed to confirm if the species have reeturned.

Policy, general governance and design targets

Policy description:

The aim of the application was to test in Estonia a new methodology for restoring a wetland (based on the example from United Kingdom) and to find out if this methodology can be used also for other similar areas with similar problems (old ditches that change hydrological conditions in nature protection areas).

Part of wider plan:

Policy pressure:

Policy requirement directive:

Policy impact:

Policy wider plan:

Policy area:

Policy target:

Target purpose
Improved Biodiversity

Design & implementations

Application scale:

Field Scale

Installation date:

2013

Age:

Area (ha):

11,1499996185303

Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha):

11,5

Size:

3,90000009536743

Size unit:

Design contractual arrangement:

Design consultation activity:

Activity stage	Name	Key issues	Comments
			There were stakeholder meetings which included also land owners but no larger public involvment was carried out.
			There were stakeholder meetings which included also land owners but no larger public involvment was carried out.

Design land use change:

Design authority:

Authority type	Role	Responsibility	Name	Comments
			Estonian Fund for Nature
			'State Forestry
			Agricultureal board
			private land owners and renters

Last updated: 18 Jun 2015 | Top

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Restoration of Coastal Meadows in Matsalu, Estonia

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