Restoring the integrity of freshwater habitats in Alam-Pedja Natura 2000 area – bringing the River Laeva back to life

LIFE12 NAT/EE/000871

LIFE HAPPYRIVER

Project duration: 01 July 2013 - 31 December 2018

Total budget: € 911 529

EU LIFE programme contribution: 50% / € 455 764

Coordinating beneficiary: Eesti Loodushoiu Keskus / Wildlife Estonia

Project background

This project was initiated because of the destruction of the River Laeva, which runs through the AlamPedja Natura 2000 network site. This river used to be an excellent representative of a natural river, with attractive meanders and surrounding meadows. The river and regularly flooded meadow, was an extremely important habitat and spawning ground for many fish species, including the EU targeted asp (Aspius aspius), spined loach (Cobitis taenia) and mud loach (Misgurnus fossilis). The riverine ecosystem also played an important role for valuable invertebrate and bird species. Last century, however, the waters were directed away from their natural riverbed in the lower course, with a man-made canal taking them into the River Emajõgi, outside the AlamPedja Natura 2000 site. The river mouth, situated in an unnatural place and followed by 5 km of straight canal did not attract fish into the river. Thus, the quality of the river as habitat type and habitat for important species needed to be restored.

Project objectives

The project’s main objectives were to:

• Restore the River Laeva natural riverbed in the AlamPedja Natura 2000 site, to preserve habitats and species of European conservation priority e.g. Aspius aspius, Cobitis taenia, Misgurnus fossili and Cottus gobio; • Restore the alluvial meadow, thus providing important habitats for valuable birds e.g. Aquila pomarina, Crex crex, Gallinago media, Grus grus; • To create spawning grounds for asp; • To re-introduce the asp to guarantee populations’ stability/increase; • To promote public awareness about the conservation of the habitats and species of EU importance and the role of the LIFE+ programme in it; • To develop international co-operation for the river and river-dependent species’ conservation; and • To promote the management and preservation of Natura 2000 biotopes in the Alam-Pedja Natura 2000 network area, to guarantee the presence and quality of spawning grounds for Aspius aspius, Cobitis taenia, Misgurnus fossilis and Cottus gobio.

Results

The project’s main results are: • 8 km of the River Laeva natural riverbed restored, integrity and completeness of the Alam-Pedja Natura 2000 area improved; • 13 ha of alluvial meadows restored; • 300 m2 of spawning grounds created; • Over 12 000 individuals of asp (Aspius aspius) re-introduced; • Raised awareness among different target groups about the importance of preserving the Natura 2000 biotopes in the Alam-Pedja area.

Final Report (.pdf 2,5Mb)