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The
lake ‘Galenbecker
See’ and its surrounding valley fen area is of particular
importance as a
nesting and feeding habitat for numerous endangered bird species,
including the
bittern (Botaurus stellaris) and the corncrake (Crex crex),
partly with priority protection status. The area is thus protected by
the EU
Wild Birds Directive as a Special Protected Area (SPA). Many
years of intensive
agricultural activity have damaged the fen and the
‘Galenbecker See’, whose
water regime is influenced by the fens. Terrestrialisation of peat lead
to continued
sinking of the fen surface in the vicinity of the lake. Today, the fen
lies below
the lake water level, so that the lake is gradually drained. As a
consequence,
reeds, sedge marshes and wet meadows have also been drained, and the
habitats
of several species with European importance are disappearing.
Since 2001, a EU LIFE project works on the ecological restoration of
the
area
in order to stop the artificially accelerated drainage of the lake and
to stabilise
the water
regime. It is anticipated that this will considerably expand the area
of
natural habitats and that the bird populations with priority protection
status
will recover. The ultimate objective is to create a macrophyte-rich
fen-lake
that serves as a water retention basin for the adjacent fens and
provides
feeding habitats for bittern.
The main measure is the construction of a 7 km long dam consisting of
organic and mineral
material that will prevent further drainage of the lake and marks off
the project
area from the surrounding cultivated grassland. Within the rewetting
area, a
target water level corresponds to a level of approx. 1 m above
the current
level. These measures will create a large submerged area adjacent to
the lake,
providing a potential habitat for reed and thus encouraging the growth
of peat. To
stop the terrestrialisation of the lake, the import of nutrients into
the lake
has to be reduced. For this purpose, a filter area will be built in the
main
riverbed, consisting of reeds.
The participants of the excursion will be informed about reasons for
the fen restoration and the aspects of the implementation, e.g. land
purchase, planning licensing procedures and technical constructions of
water
retention. The local department of nature conservation (StAUN
Ueckermünde), implementing this project in
order of the European Commission, will inform about the status of
building sites.
Optionally, there will be a possibility for bird watching on the lake
by boat. |
