National Id
Germany_03
Site name
Lake Dümmer
Summary
This Project combined several natural water retention measures: the restoration of meadows and pastures (A1), reduced tillage (A7), a reduced stocking density (A12), and the restoration of wetlands (N2). The project area was located in north-west Germany within the river basin district Weser (DE4000). As funded under the LIFE Program, it was directed at European policy contexts, namely the WFD, Habitats Directive, and Birds Directive. A wide variety of stakeholders was involved in the implementation process, ranging from nature conservation agencies and NGO’s, as well as water managers to local farmers. The project achieved an increase of the population of meadow birds in the area, and was therefore successful. Furthermore, the constructive exchange of interests and opinions, leading to common benefits for different stakeholders has to be considered an additional success.
Light or indepth?
In-depth
The in-depth description of the case study
cs-de_03-duemmerlake_final_version.pdf
NUTS Code
Hannover
RBD code
DE4000
Transboundary
0
Data provider
Tamer Fawzy / BEF DE
Source(s)
Erfolgreiche Feuchtgrünlandentwicklung durch Naturschutzmaßnahmen. Langfristige Veränderung von Flora, Vegetation und Avifauna am Beispiel des Ochsenmoores in der Dümmerniederung.
NWRM(s) implemented in the case study
Meadows and pastures
Low till agriculture
Reduced stocking density
Wetland restoration and management
Longitude
8.3411022
Latitude
52.5106507
Climate zone
cool temperate moist
Mean annual rainfall
0 - 300 mm
Mean rainfall unit
mm/year
Average temperature
9
Mean runoff unit
450 - 600 mm
Type
Actual Test Site
Mean annual runoff range
150 - 300 mm
Monitoring impacts effects
1
Monitoring parameters
Biodiversity/ meadow bird breeding success
Performance impact estimation method
Catchment outlet
Performance impact estimation information
meadow bird breeding success monitoring
Application scale
Field Scale
Installation date
2007-12
Lifespan
40
Age
7
Performance timescale
Immediate
Area (ha)
2500
Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha)
2500
Constraints
N.A.
Favourable preconditions
Before the project, over 2000 ha were already acquired for the Bird Sanctuary of Lake Dümmer. A well established, institutionalized Round Table served as a communication platform between Nature Conservationists and Farmers, so that acceptance was guaranteed throughout the process.
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Comments Name
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Key issues Name Comments
Design land use change
Land use change type
Design authority
Authority type Role Responsibility Name Comments
Other
Implementation
Heinrich Belting
Local state authority for nature conservation / bird conservancy
Key lessons
Lessons learned in this project reach from practical and technical experience to the integration of stakeholders to achieve a high acceptance and participation of local farmers.

The experience from this project also led to the initiation of the LIFE+ Project Meadow Birds, including water retention measures in 12 project areas.
Financing mechanism
1
Financing mechanism information
European funds (Life+), contractual anture conservation schemes
Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments
Financing possibilities
main factor

for land acquisition
Attitude of relevant stakeholders
secondary factor

acceptance of relevant stakeholders
Financing
Financing type Comments
EU-funds: LIFE+
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments
Expected maintenance needs
main barrier
viability of extensive grassland mainenance is low
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments
Organisation committed to it
main driver
Bird protection / natura200 site
Financing share
Financing share type Share Comments
Policy description
Habitat restoration
Part of wider plan
1
Policy target
Target purpose
Improved Biodiversity
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact
Policy wider plan
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Natura 2000
Policy requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Costs investment
2000000
Costs investment information
land acquisition
Costs land acquisition
2000000
Costs land acquisition unit
€ (total value)
Costs operation maintenance
1100000
Costs operational
800000
Costs operational information
Supporting dams and removal of drainages
Costs maintenance
300000
Costs total
3100000
Ecosystem improved biodiversity
1
Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity
improvements of the meadow bird communities
Ecosystem provisioning services
1
Information on Ecosystem provisioning services
extensified grassland maintainence
Ecosystem impact climate regulation
No specific impact
Information on retained water
N.A.
Information on increased water storage
N.A.
Information on runoff reduction
N.A.
Water quality overall improvements
N/A info
Soil quality overall soil improvements
N/A info