RESTORATION OF WETLANDS At - wise-rtd.info

It is not only nature that benefits from project implementation,
but it is the people of the whole Záhorie
region as well. The wetlands are not just swamps full
of mosquitoes, as many people think, but they can also
bring many profits. Thus the restoration of wetlands is
beneficial not only to preserve these unique habitats
with their rare species, but also for agriculture, forestry,
hunting and fishery. One of the most important functions
of wetlands is the retention of water coming from
rain and snow. This water is naturally released slowly
from wetlands by out-flow and evaporation. In this way
the undisturbed, well functioning wetlands contribute
to the reduction of extreme climate like droughts, floods
or storms. The restoration of their water regime
increases retention capacity of wetlands (i.e. their ability
to retain water), thus reducing the risk of floods in
the whole watershed concerned. Restored wetlands
represent important water supplies during dry seasons
and efficiently prevent the start and spread of forest
fires. This is especially important in the conditions of
dry pine forests of Záhorie, in which such fires are still
fairly common. On hot days, wetland water evaporates
intensively and cools the surroundings, thus improving
the local climate. The increase of air humidity and horizontal
precipitation can be observed even up to several
hundred metres from the edge of the wetland. This
phenomenon positively affects the overall vitality and
health status of the near-by forest stands that would
otherwise frequently suffer from drought. The spending
made on wetlands restoration thus represents one of
the best investments in the future of the landscape.
The wetlands also provide an important spawning
habitat for some fish species. Thanks to their low
accessibility and sufficient water supply they are also
frequently used by game species as a refuge and
resting place, especially in hot weather. Wetland
restoration also increases the recreational potential of
the area. Most of the locals who are keen mushrooms
pickers are well aware of the fact that during the dry
season it only makes sense to search for mushrooms
close to the wetlands as they cannot grow elsewhere
due to lack of humidity. Thanks to the milder climate
in the wetlands’ surroundings, these have become
a mush room-pickers’ paradise.
At the beginning of our efforts to start with wetland
restoration we often had to overcome some distrust,
scepticism and suspicion, especially from the side of
local foresters and hunters. However, project achievements
have convinced most of them that the water
belongs to the forest, and that it was a right decision.
Nowadays, in some hunting districts the hunters themselves
are approaching us, conservationists, to cooperate
further on wetlands restoration to increase their
attraction for game. Thus the LIFE project “Restoration
of the Wetlands of Záhorie Lowland“ has proved that
the conservationists, foresters and hunters can have
common interests that can be implemented together.
Furthermore, the lessons learned from the project can
be applied elsewhere in Slovakia, as well as in the
other European countries, particularly for the benefit
of wetlands as they represent an important part of our
common European natural heritage.
SCI Jasenácke
Black Stork
(Ciconia nigra)
King Bolete
(Boletus edulis)