Carpathians Unite – conservation of Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatbog

Description

The project contributes to counteracting the main threats to biodiversity of the reserve “Czerwone Bog Woodland” (valuable peatbog: nature reserve, Natura 2000 and Ramsar Convention site): drainage of the fen (drainage ditches), natural succession of woody vegetation (overgrowing with Scots pine), anthropogenic pressure (littering, exploration beyond designated routes), anthropogenic degradation of the entire Orawsko-Nowotarskie Mire complex (Natura 2000 site) – also due to improper local land management practices.

Active nature conservation measures: re/construction of dams, locks, dike, removal of pine overgrowth, re/construction of tourist infrastructure to prevent off-trail damage. Nature monitoring of biotic / abiotic parameters. Improved land mgmnt. practices in surrounding municipalities (workshops for local authorities and other stakeholders). Wetland awareness raising – local schools and general public (media campaign). Cooperation w/NO partner – sharing know-how on wetland mgmnt.

Improved state and condition of peatbog ecosystem in a Ramsar site. Improved awareness and management practices on mountain wetlands. Supporting implementation of the Carpathian Convention.

• Local authorities – better land management practices
• Tourists, teachers and pupils, general public – increased awareness on wetlands
• Regional nature protection agency – improved capacity.

Nature and Man Foundation (PL) – key role: in charge of active nature protection measures as well as coordination on nature (biotic and abiotic) monitoring of ecosystem condition and effectiveness of project activities. Networking with key institutional stakeholders (State Forestry, regional nature protection authorities). Administrative procedures. Asplan Viak AS – exchange of know-how on wetland management and conservation in Poland and Norway – incl. presentation at project final conference. Liaison with relevant Norwegian entities (also during the project study visit).

Summary of project results

The Project was generally devoted to the whole complex of Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatlands – but particular focus and all active nature conservation measures were focused on their most valuable element, namely the “Czerwone” Bog Woodland –
a raised bog and nature reserve established in 1925 (one of the oldest nature reserves in Poland). Its area is 114,66 hectares, with 68,40 hectares of buffer zone.

The “Czerwone” Bog Woodland reserve is home to species of plants and animals characteristic of the ecosystems of marsh forests and peat bogs, including rare and endangered species. 10 species of amphibians, 2 species of reptiles, 98 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been recorded here. Among them are species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive and Annex I of the Birds Directive: 3 species of amphibians, 13 species of birds and 2 species of mammals. The Carpathian newt and the yellow-bellied toad are particularly noteworthy. There are also 269 species of fungi in the reserve. Together with the adjacent forest complex, the reserve is located in the zone of the Carpathian ecological corridor, connecting Babia Góra and the Tatras with the Gorce and Pieniny Mountains.

In 2018, “Czerwone” Bog Woodland became one of the Polish sites of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The Bog’s natural values which merited this status can be herein quoted from the official Ramsar site information sheet (see below); the need for their protection lay at the base of Project concept, goals, and planned activities:

“The Site is an active raised bog, which together with the surrounding bog woodland, represents a typical example of a mountain bog. It is a rare complex of three bog habitats of European importance such as transition mires and quaking bogs (7140), bog woodland (91D0) and active raised bogs (7110).

A very well developed dome of raised bog of 0,5-5 meters height covers the area of around 35 ha. The dome is overgrown by plant communities: Pino x rhaeticae-Sphagnetum and Ledo-Sphagnetum. The flat part of the bog is overgrown with very sparse pine stand covering 5-30%. Its herbal layer is dominated by the marsh Labrador tea Ledum palustre and the bog bilberry Vaccinium uliginosum as well as species from Oxycocco-Sphagnetea class (the hare’s-tail cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum, the small cranberry Oxycoccus palustris, the bogrosemary Andromeda polifolia, the Sphagnum rubellum and other). The dome is surrounded by transition mires, sometimes overgrown by shrubs of pine or birch. Together with Sphagna mosses, other plant species typical for peat bogs occurring here are the white beak-sedge Rhynchospora alba, the round-leaved sundew Drosera rotundifolia, the hare’s-tail cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum, the small cranberry Oxycoccus palustris and the bog-rosemary Andromeda polifolia. An important part of the reserve is covered by forests, particularly bog woodland Sphagno-Piceetum, Calamagrostio villosae-Pinetum and Vaccinio uliginosi-Pinetum.

The Site is of a great importance for carbon storage, education, long-term monitoring and research; it is used as a scientific reference and demonstration site for students. It is also of importance for recreation.

The Site has the same boundaries as the nature reserve with the same name. It is also protected as the part of two Torfowiska Orawsko-Nowotarskie Natura 2000 sites - special area of conservation PLH120016 and special protection area PLB120007.” [currently these 2 Natura 2000 sites are combined into one PLC 120003 Natura 2000 site, with the total area of 8266,68 hectares].

Due to centuries-long anthropogenic pressures incl. peat exploitation (with the most intense, mass scale phase starting in mid-19th century and continuing for well over 100 years), the whole complex of Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatlands has undergone gradual degradation of its abiotic (hydrological) and, consequently, biotic / biodiversity values. At the end of the Middle Ages (i.e. before large-scale peat exploitation began), there were at least 30 raised bogs and accompanying low bogs in the Orava-Nowy Targ Basin. The peat area at that time was approximately 260 km2. Currently, raised and low bogs in the Basin cover an area of ​​approximately 70 km2. 19 raised bog domes (or their fragments) have been preserved, with a total area of ​​approximately 1300 ha. Despite protection within the Natura 2000 network, some of them are showing progressive degradation, and the main threats include: water deficit resulting from the drainage of peat bogs, – direct peat extraction, – overgrowing of peat bog domes with shrubby and/or woody vegetation, indirectly related to the drainage of these habitats, – afforestation of open areas, – fires.

In order to protect the natural values ​​of the peatbog, it was necessary to improve water conditions, restore the treeless character of the bog’s dome, and stop and eventually reverse the unfavourable changes in the structure of vegetation. Active protection of valuable natural habitats, both the raised bog itself and the bog woodland communities in its surroundings, has been therefore an important element of the Project.

However, active nature conservation measures are not everything – they need to be complemented and augmented by accompanying activities related to the improvement of land management and spatial management practices in the entire area of ​​the Orawa-Nowy Targ Peatlands, as well as to increasing public awareness on the role and importance of wetlands.

Finally, as the reserve is located practically on the outskirts of Nowy Targ, a mid-size city serving as a local hub for tourism and services, it was important to improve (repair) the existing tourism infrastructure, so that anthropogenic pressure on fragile bog habitats would be reduced and combined with education of the public.

“Carpathians Unite – conservation of Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatlands” was
a project aimed at:

• improvement of the habitat conditions of the raised bog in the "Czerwone Bog Woodland" nature reserve,
• support for sustainable land management towards biodiversity protection of the Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatlands,
• increasing public awareness of the role and importance of wetlands,
• exchange of experiences and good practices in the protection of peatlands in Poland and Norway,
• supporting the implementation of the Carpathian Convention.

The Project envisaged and proposed a series of active nature conservation measures in the “Czerwone Bog Woodland” reserve, as well as an comprehensive set of nature monitoring activities of both abiotic and biotic characteristics of the bog.

Additionally, actions were planned that aimed at the improvement of land use/management practices in the entire area of ​​the Orawa-Nowy Targ depression (i.e. whole complex of Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatlands)  and increasing public awareness on wetlands with the purpose of reducing anthropogenic pressures on them.

Project activities:

1. Active ecosystem restoration activities of valuable wetland habitats in the “Czerwone” Bog Woodland reserve, including:

1. construction of hydrotechnical infrastructure improving water conditions in the peat bog (dams and locks), as well as modernization of a key section of the dike/embankment;
2. removal of pine from the dome (undesirable natural succession on the dome resulting from insufficient hydration and further depleting water resources);
3. re/construction and modernization of tourist infrastructure preventing anthropogenic pressure on the reserve area – boardwalks and tourist shelter; production and installing of educational boards.

1. Comprehensive environmental monitoring of abiotic and biotic parameters of the peat bog. The following areas of scientific scrutiny were explored:

• geology: bedrock, peat sediments (georadar analysis)
• geochemistry
• hydrology
• soils
• palinology
• vascular plants
• plant communities
• mosses and lichens
• insects
• molluscs
• amphibians and reptiles
• birds

They were supplemented by selected Earth observation (EO) studies: satellite images (in historic time series), drone scanning, Lidar scanning – all aimed at the development of the 3D hydrogeological model of the bog.

1. Support for management activities in the communes where the entire Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatlands complex is located – a thematic seminar for local and regional stakeholders, mainly self-government staff and decision makers, forestry and water management staff, protected area authorities, NGOs.
2. Educational classes addressed to school pupils and teachers of local primary and secondary schools – supplemented by the development of educational materials and dedicated teacher preparatory training.
3. Information campaign for adults on the role and importance of wetlands and methods of their protection – series of media articles (site visits for media representatives conducted).
4. Other assorted promotion and communication activities: participation in
   in-country and international conferences and seminars, Project website and brochure, social media posts, etc.
5. Bilateral cooperation with the Norwegian Partner – on-going technological exchange; study visit to Norway – exchange of know-how and good practices
   in sustainable management of wetlands, their conservation and restoration.

All Project activities were in line with – and addressed the provisions of – the official reserves’s Protection Plan. They were conducted under the supervision of – and in consultation with – relevant authorities, namely the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Kraków (in charge of Natura 2000 network and nature reserves) as well as the State Forestry Authority – Nowy Targ district (in charge of the reserve’s field oversight and management as most of the reserve’s area lies on the State Forests’ land).

The technical specifics – such as the localization, type and size of hydrotechnical infrastructure or pine removal area – were meticulously planned and fine-tuned based on the results of field studies and monitoring activities aimed at determining the hydrological conditions and processes occurring

1. 1. Active ecosystem restoration of the “Czerwone” Bog Woodland raised bog and surrounding bog forest communities
2. Re/construction of 23 dams and 3 locks to reduce or stop water outflow from the bog’s core dome and surrounding buffer zone.
3. Repair and re/construction of a dike on the length of 100 metres.
4. Pine overgrowth removal from the bog’s dome, slope and buffer – on the area of approx. 40 hectares. The biomass was shredded and used to fill the irrigation ditches to enhance the effect of dams and locks.
5. Re/construction of 310 metres of wooden boardwalks, with bridges and railings – as well as reconstruction of 1 roofed tourist rest shelter – to facilitate tourism traffic yet making it safer and simultaneously less impacting on the fragile ecosystem.

1. 1. Nature monitoring of abiotic and biotic parameters of the peatbog
2. conducted expert field studies in the bog, obtaining sets of field data on the number of abiotic and biotic characteristics:

• geology: bedrock, peat sediments (georadar analysis)
• geochemistry
• hydrology
• soils
• palinology
• vascular plants
• plant communities
• mosses and lichens
• insects
• molluscs
• amphibians and reptiles
• birds
• analysis of satellite images (in temporal scale);
• drone and Lidar scanning;
• 3 D hydrogeological model of the bog

Results of monitoring studies are of immense importance for gaining knowledge on the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the reserve as well as to gauge the long-term effects of undertaken active protection measures. Initial data acquisition was important to properly plan these measures. For example, knowledge of water flows helped decide where the dams and locks have to be installed. Also, they are useful to any experts studying wetlands.

The whole system of abiotic and biotic monitoring linked with and accompanying nature conservation activities could be considered a model example of a multidisciplinary, comprehensive approach to ecosystem management and conservation.

The conducted activities do fulfill the obligations stemming from the provisions of the reserve’s Protection Plan and aid the responsible authorities (Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Kraków, State Forestry Authority – Nowy Targ District) in executing their statutory roles in the conservation of the “Czerwone” Bog Woodland and the whole Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatlands complex (Natura 2000 site).

1. 1. Enhancing local potential for sustainable wetland management, conservation and restoration
2. Conducted 1 thematic seminar for regional stakeholders, mainly self-government staff and decision makers, forestry and water management staff, protected area authorities, NGOs. Themes: role and functions of wetlands, ecosystem services provided by wetlands, local and regional spatial management, using Earth Observation data for land management and local decision making, etc. Attendance: 24 participants.

1. 1. Environmental education
2. Developing and producing environmental education materials (lesson plans, work sheets etc.).
3. Planning and conducting a teacher training – preparatory workshop for teachers of primary and secondary schools of Orawsko-Nowotarskie region. Goal: presentation of educational materials to conduct field environmental education classes for pupils in the “Czerwone” Bog Woodland reserve. Attendance: 20 teachers.
4. Planning, organizing and conducting 19 field environmental education classes in the “Czerwone” Bog Woodland reserve for primary and secondary school pupils from schools in the Orawsko-Nowotarskie region. Attendance: 389 pupils, 36 teachers.
5. Design, production and installation – within the reserve – of 3 educational boards for visitors.

1. 1. Communication, promotion, awareness raising for the broad public, Project networking
2. 2 study visits for representatives of traditional and electronic media (magazines, Instagram profiles, etc.): presentations on wetlands, field walks, discussions etc. – followed by publications done by the participants. Attendance: 18 media reps, 8 reps of invited relevant institutions.
3. Thematic articles produced by the Beneficiary and published in general and technical media – 7 articles.
4. Regular posts in social media (Instagram, Facebook).
5. Producing and maintaining Project website in both Polish and English, with contents related to wetlands in general, the Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatlands, the “Czerwone” Bog Woodland and the Project. An important component of the website is the geoportal presenting various geographic and nature-related characteristics of the Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peatlands in the broader, Carpathian spatial context.
6. Producing Project promotional brochure, rollup poster (both PL and EN language versions).
7. Organizing the Project Final Conference: expert presentations on wetlands and their conservation, reports from Project monitoring activities, stakeholder debates on sustainable local development in nature-sensitive areas, etc. Attendance: 42 representatives of self-governments, Project partner institutions, experts, NGOs, nature conservation authorities.
8. Project presentations during other national and international events: conferences and seminars.

Altogether, the scale and impact of these educational activities, campaigns and other promotional activities (attendees at events, unique website users, articles’ unique readers, social media followers, etc.) has been estimated at over 207 thousand recipients.

1. 1. Bilateral Polish-Norwegian cooperation
2. Exchange of technological know-how for geoportal creation.
3. Study visit to Norway by the Polish Project Team plus the representatives of 2 key partner institutions: Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Kraków and the State Forestry Authority – Nowy Targ District. Host: Norwegian Project Partner: Asplan Viak AS. During the visit, 3 peatbog restoration sites were visited and expert presentations/discussions took place. Participation: 10 PL + 5 NO representatives.
4. Participation of the Norwegian Partner in the Project Final Conference, with presentation on Norwegian measures in wet/land management.

Summary of bilateral results

The Beneficiary has maintained fruitful collaboration with the Norwegian Partner – Asplan Viak AS – for many years, long prior to this particular Project. Joint competences and technological solutions offered by Asplan Viak and UNEP/GRID-Warsaw provided valuable added value in a variety of projects related to – or involving – geoinformation and spatial data management, GIS, geovisualization of spatial data, etc. One particular field of collaboration, technology-wise, were IT solutions enabling the development of geoportals: mapping applications very useful in analyzing, in an interactive and dynamic way, a range of spatial data. Moreover, besides the technological exchange and support in the field of IT and geosolutions, this particular Project offered another promising avenue of collaboration: namely, sharing know-how and good practices in the management, conservation and restoration of wetland ecosystems in Poland and Norway. However, even in Norway, in some areas, wetlands are under threat of degradation or are already degraded and restoration projects are therefore needed and are being implemented. Therefore, a study visit to Norway of the Polish Project Team members – accompanied by representatives of 2 national Polish relevant partner institutions: Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Kraków and the State Forestry Authority, Nowy Targ District – was organized. Besides the Partner, representatives of 2 Norwegian institutions relevant in the field of spatial, land and ecosystem management were involved – namely, the Norwegian Environmental Agency (Miljødirektoratet) and the County Governor’s Office (Statsforvalteren) of Vestfold and Telemark. The agenda included both a presentation and discussion session in Asplan Viak office, as well as a field study tour to 3 locations of wetland restoration projects.