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Description
A large number of obstructions to fish passage on rivers in Poland have a harmful effect on the ecological wellbeing of the native migratory fish populations, which have declined considerably in the last decades as they cannot reach their spawning grounds. River''s regulation destroyed also many important plant habitats. A lack of knowledge and will in the local society makes nature protection difficult. This project applies to the Plan of Conservation Tasks for the Natura 2000 river area PLH120093.
We plan to unblock 3 water steps on 2 streams, by applying gravel into the stream beds. Elevated water level will open migration corridors to the spawning grounds for protected fish species and positively influence protected plant habitats. The project will also foster ecological education by arranging 100 workshops for children, a conference, a festival to celebrate World Fish Migration Day, and a knowledge competition on the Facebook fan page. Approximately 12100 printed brochures will also be produced as well as a translation of the book “From sea to source”, diaporama about Raba river.
Four protected fish species, two protected plant species, four protected plant habitats, close to 300 hectares of river ecosystem, and 20480 people will benefit from this project. Main beneficiaries are primary school students from the area of 6 communes and 3 cities located on the premises of Natura 2000 river area PLH120993, but also adult residents.
Summary of project results
Project title: “Active protection of endangered species and habitats in Natura 2000 area Raba with Mszanka PLH120093 and tributaries of Raba”.
Implementation: the Foundation for the Support of Ecological Initiatives. Poland.
Implementation time: the project lasted from January 2022 to April 2024.
The project was in line with Poland''s obligations to achieve good water status according to Directive 2000/60/EC of 23.10.2000, establishing common action in water policy (WFD) and Directive 92/43/EEC of 21.05.1992 on the protection of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora, the so-called Habitats Directive. The project was in line with the assumptions of the “Priority Action Framework for the Natura 2000 network for the EU Multiannual Financial Program 2014-2020” and the update of the National Water and Environment Program (Poland). The assumption of the project was the implementation of the Plan of Conservation Tasks for the Natura 2000 area Raba with Mszanka PLH120093.
The project was intended as a continuation of the activities undertaken within the framework of the SPPW KIK37 project “Sawning grounds of the upper Raba River” implemented in the Natura 2000 area Raba with Mszanka PLH120093 in 2012-2017 by the Ab Ovo Association. The project was also a continuation of educational activities implemented in 2017-2020 by our Foundation in riverine Natura 2000 areas under the title “Carpathian Rivers – Clean Natura 2000”, under the auspices of the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Krakow and Rzeszow.
The project was implemented in agreement with the „Polish Waters” State Water Management Authority in Warsaw, on behalf of which the Water Catchment Management Board in Cracow acts, and on the basis of decisions from the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Cracow, the Marshal''s Office of the Malopolska Region in Cracow and the consent of the Polish Angling Association Nowy Sącz District.
MAIN GOALS OF THE PROJECT:
- Implementation the Natura 2000 area management plan by carrying out active protection of endangered species and habitats. In detail:
- Protective monitoring of the condition of habitats and species subject to protection in the area: 1138 Carpathian barbel Barbus carpathicus, 3220 Alpine rivers and the herbaceous vegetation along their banks, 3240 Alpine rivers and their ligneous vegetation with Salix elaeagnos (Salici-Myricarietum part – dominated by willows), 91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae);
- Identification and improvement of the condition of habitats and protected species occuring in the area: Myricaria germanica and Ranunculus fluitans, 3260 Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation, 3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation (Nympheion, Potamion communities), 6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels;
- Counteracting the fragmentation of ecosystems and providing conditions for free movements towards the spawning grounds of valuable fish species (including the carpathian barbel). Protection of the migration routes of migratory fish by unblocking three water barriers on the Raba tributaries (Trzebunka and Lubienka) and restoring fish spawning areas by rebuilding the proper morphology of the river bed (raising the stream bottom and feeding it with gravel), the goal was also to raise the groundwater level.
Migration is an important part of the life cycle of many fish species (including reproduction). Many of them never reach their destination due to numerous barriers in their path, leading to the decline of migratory fish populations. Freshwater migratory fish species breed in the upper reaches of mountain rivers; in the case of the Raba River, they migrate to its tributaries. Most of them are inaccessible to fish due to hydrotechnical developments (water stages). As a result of the previous century''s regulation of the Raba''s tributaries and the uncontrolled extraction of gravel from the stream beds, they have lost the morphology favorable for fish to spawn. Therefore, as part of the project, three barriers were unblocked, which allowed for the opening of fish migration routes and potential spawning grounds in the Raba tributaries, including: for the carpathian barbel - a priority species in the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area. By adding gravel and rock rubble to the riverbeds, the water thresholds on the Trzebunka and Lubienka streams were made unblocked, and the morphology of the Trzebunka riverbed was improved by “feeding the river with gravel.” This method has already been used with good results in the restoration of a tributary of the Raba River, the Krzczonowka, as part of the project “Sawning grounds of the upper Raba River”. The material poured into the stream beds raised the bottom and water levels, enabling the migration of valuable fish species and their reproduction. In turn, the raised groundwater level has supplied the priority habitats and plant species protected in the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area.
Achieved results of active protection:
- Restoration of fish migration and restoration of spawning grounds on the Trzebunka and Lubienka streams, which are tributaries of the Raba River in the Natura 2000 area, by improving the morphology of the stream beds and clearing migration barriers. Method – alimentation of rock rubble and gravel into the tributary beds.
- Unimpeded upward and downward migration of carpathian barbel and other valuable fish species inhabiting the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area, through thresholds on the Raba tributaries of the Trzebunka and Lubienka streams, and the possibility of reaching by fish the existing spawning grounds and those restored within the framework of the project.
- An increase in the reproductive potential of local populations of rheophilic fish, which require access to shallow, gravelly, cool and well-oxygenated tributary waters. As a result, it will enable future increase of local populations of valuable fish species under protection of polish law (eg. carpathian barbel, alpine bullhead, stone loach, schneider).
- Improvement of the condition of six plant habitats (3220, 91E0, 3240, 3260, 3150, 6430) and species under protective law and the Habitat Directive (Barbus carpathicus, Myricaria germanica and Ranunculus fluitans), through an increase in groundwater levels and the surface of the gravel bed, as a result of the rock material alimentation performed.
- Educational campaign on river protection. The environmental problems identified in the Conservation Task Plan for the Raba with Mszanka PLH12093 Natura 2000 area are largely due to the ignorance of local residents and mismanagement by local governments. These include: pollution of the river with sewage and municipal waste dumped on the river, theft of gravel from the riverbed, running over the river with vehicles, destruction of plant habitats, and the widespread belief that rivers should be regulated and built over with barriers, and that a natural river is dangerous in terms of flood risk. There is also poor knowledge of the fish and other animals that inhabit the river and the ecological value of plant habitats, as well as the ecosystem services provided by rivers to people. These are problems common among the inhabitants of riverine areas, which we identified in previous years in a survey conducted as part of the “Carpathian Rivers – Clean Natura 2000” project and extensive discussion meetings with local government representatives and decision-makers in seven Nature 2000 areas in southern Poland. Therefore, the goal of the project was also to educate the local public on the above-mentioned issues.
- ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN THE FRAMEWORK OF ACTIVE PROTECTION
Unfortunately, the rivers and their tributaries have been shredded into smaller pieces by dams of various sizes. Therefore, three steps blocking the migration of fish were unblocked. In order to open the way for fish to migrate from the Raba River up its tributaries to the spawning grounds, we made rapids out of rock rubble and gravel, piling them up before each barrier. As a result, the bottom of the riverbed was raised, which also raised the water level, thus reducing the height of the barrier. A small pool has been formed in front of the step itself, providing deeper water for fish, so they will be able to jump over the thresholds during high water levels. A side effect of the barriers is also the complete disruption of gravel transport along the entire length of a river. Gravel-loving fish, which need gravel to spawn, suffer from this. Gravel depletion from the river is also caused by its theft by local people. Therefore, work was also done to supply gravel to the riverbeds of the Raba''s tributaries. In order to safely carry out the work of pouring rock rubble and gravel into the river, it was first necessary to evacuate fish from the riverbeds in the sections undergoing reconstruction. This task was taken care of by ichthyologists, who also performed pre-implementation monitoring of the fish. All fish were relocated several hundred meters below the work area, and the channel remained fenced off with nets throughout the works for fish protection. Fish monitoring was repeated at the end of the project to assess the effect of the work performed.
1. a. Activities on the Trzebunka stream (a tributary of the Raba) carried out in 2022.
Unblocking the barrier at km 1+300 (near the old water gauge) and at km 6+170 (near the school in Trzebunia). Improving the morphology of the riverbed at km 2+670, by “feeding the river with gravel”. In this section, we poured gravel on the bank of the stream, in a place from which the current itself will pick up gravel during high water flows and spread it along the bed, creating natural spawning grounds. Monitoring and evacuation of fish from the area of construction work: at the lower barrier (near the old water level gauge) we evacuated about 700 fish, and at the higher barrier (near the school in Trzebunia) about 550 fish. The species composition of Trzebunka''s ichthyofauna includes: carphatian barbel, stone loach common minnow and brown trout.
1. b. Activities on the Lubieńka stream (a tributary of the Raba) carried out in 2023 r.
Unblocking the treshold at km 0+270, where there is a cascade of water bariers. Monitoring and evacuation of fish from the area of construction work. Over 1,700 fish were caught and relocated below the work area. The species composition of Lubieńka''s ichthyofauna includes: carphatian barbel, stone loach, common minnow, common chub, gudgeon and brown trout.
- RIVER EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
A campaign to raise public awareness of rivers, their role in the environment and the ecosystem services they provide. Education on the need to protect endangered species and habitats, increasing knowledge of Natura 2000 areas and referring to climate change and its impact on ecosystems (on a local and global scale). As part of the project implementation, the following was carried out:
2. a. Educational brochure in Polish. Folded, colorful brochure of A5 format, 12 pages, was compiled and printed at the beginning of the project. An edition of 12,100 pcs. Topics of the brochure: 1) Threats to fish inhabiting transformed mountain rivers (industrial and municipal wastewater, chemicals used in agriculture, garbage, destruction of micro-habitats through illegal gravel extraction and vehicle splitting of the river bed, regulatory treatments, cross-building – limiting fish migration, cutting down riparian vegetation), their effects on the entire river ecosystem; 2) What do we lose by destroying rivers, and what would we gain by protecting and restoring them. Benefits of a natural river for humans – ecosystem services of the river (and its valley): drinking water, recreation, landscape, microclimate, climate change mitigation, etc. 3) Natura 2000 – principles of the program: objects of protection, what is not allowed in the Natura 2000 area, management of the Natura 2000 area, plans of conservation tasks and participation in their preparation. 4) Characteristics of the Natura 2000 area Raba with Mszanka (protected habitats and animal species).
2. b. Organization of a celebration on the occasion of World Fish Migration Day (festival).
The idea of the holiday: Migration is an essential part of the life cycle of many fish species. Typically, fish migrate to obtain food, for reproduction or to seek shelter. However, many of them never reach their destination due to the many large and small dams in their path. Dividing rivers by barriers is leading to the disappearance of migratory fish populations and other freshwater species in Europe. World Fish Migration Day is a one-day global event intended to raise awareness about fish migration and the functioning of river ecosystems as an indivisible whole, and to draw attention to the great importance of keeping rivers free from migration barriers where fish can migrate freely. World Fish Migration Day was initiated by the World Fish Migration Foundation and is held as a cyclical event every two years.
2. c. Preparation of a diaporama about the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area (in Polish).
The educational diaporama is over 20 minutes long. The theme of the diaporama concerns the natural values of the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area showing animal species (including fish) and habitats valuable to the area, threats to protected nature resulting in a decline in the population of migratory fish (gravel theft, flood protection regulations, fragmentation of the river with barriers, pollution with garbage and sewage), ways of counteracting the presented threats and restoring the regulated river. The diaporama was prepared in the form of a multimedia presentation containing photographs, timelapse sequences and film shots. All the material was synchronized with specially selected music and sounds of nature, so that visual and sound effects formed a coherent whole.
2. d. Conduct 100 hours of workshops in elementary schools of municipalities covering the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area and municipalities through which tributaries feeding the Raba River flow. The aim of the classes was to educate about river ecosystems, their role in nature and the ecosystem services they provide. The campaign promoted the protection of the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area, including the habitats and species for which the area was established. The education touched upon the importance of the impact of rivers on all other ecosystems, both on a local and global scale, and the need to protect the natural morphology of rivers as a means of flood control and climate protection;
2. e. Seminar on the project and topics related to river protection. It consisted of a plenary part and a field trip. Program of the Seminar: 1) Presentation of the Project (financing, assumptions, goals, activities carried out, diaporama); 2) “How to reconcile nature conservation of Carpathian river valleys with flood protection and drought prevention? The impact of gravel extraction, regulation of river channels, dam construction and climate change on the natural environment of river valleys (on the example of the Raba River)”; 3) “What benefits arise or may arise from the natural values of the Carpathian rivers for the local community and the entire society – ecosystem services”; 4) “Proper maintenance as a way to revitalize mountain rivers and their tributaries – Guidelines for the assessment of hydromorphological characteristics of rivers – new applicable standard for 2020”.
2. f. Organization of a knowledge contest about the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area and its protection (with prizes) on the Project''s facebook fanpage and on the Project''s website.
The aim of the competition was to build awareness of the needs and methods of protecting the nature of Carpathian rivers and migratory fish among the residents of the municipalities of the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area and neighboring municipalities, as well as to develop the ability to independently acquire knowledge based on various sources. One participant in each age group was selected at random from among the participants who answered the questions correctly in each of the three months of the competition and received a monthly prize. At the end of the contest, three people in each age group who scored the most points in the entire competition were awarded prizes in the form of binoculars and river-themed books or albums.
2. g. Translation from English into Polish of a book that is a guide to the protection of migratory fish. Gough P., Philipsen P., Schollema P.P. & Wanningen H. 2012. „From sea to source; International guidance for the restoration of fish migration highways”
2. h. Publication of 5 promotional articles in local press on various topics. Titles: 1) “Active protection of endangered species and habitats of the Raba River”; 2) „The Foundation for Supporting Environmental Initiatives invites elementary schools to free environmental education classes”; 3) Invitation to a free workshops on environmental education; 4) Project for active protection of endangered species and habitats in the Natura 2000 area Raba with Mszanka PLH120093 and tributaries of the Raba”; 5) Invitation to participate in a river knowledge contest (with prizes) for children, teenagers and adults.
The target group of project beneficiaries were: primarily residents of the municipalities covered by the project (children and adults), as well as employees of municipal and township offices, the Polish Waters, the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection, councilors, village heads, hydrologists, teachers and others. A total of more than 20,000 people. Participation in all activities was free of charge for all participants.
1) Festival on the occasion of World Fish Migration Day
The festival to celebrate World Fish Migration Day was held on May 29, 2022, as an outdoor event, at the fish ponds in Osieczany (beside Raba River). Partners of the festival: the World Fish Migration Foundation and the Circle of the Polish Angling Association “Myslenice”. Total number of festival participants: 300 people.
Event program: As part of the fish migration festival, activities were held for children and teenagers, during which older children could solve quizzes on knowledge of Carpathian rivers and Natura 2000 areas, winning small prizes. Younger children made a model of a natural and regulated river and learned to identify fish species and could solve guessing games about river conservation, also winning small gifts. Participants also took part in an art contest entitled "Happy Fish", where they could win prizes. For adults, children and teenagers, there was also a nature excursion to the Raba River, during which participants could learn about the precious nature of the local river. An element of the tour was observing wild animals and valuable habitats. Participants were able to meet the heroes for whom World Fish Migration Day was organized, namely the fish of Carpathian rivers, and take part in the restocking of the Raba River with brown trout. The restocking was carried out by the Fishery User of District No. 2 of the Raba River. All participants received an educational brochure about the Natura 2000 area Raba with Mszanka and the Carpathian rivers, as well as guides to the Natura 2000 Program.
2) Educational workshops on the role of rivers in nature and their protection.
As part of the project, 102 teaching hours were carried out for elementary school students from municipalities neighboring the Raba River and its tributaries. Primary schools from the following towns and villages took part in the classes: Stroza, Pcim, Kasinka Mała, Myslenice, Jasienica, Trzebunia, Jawornik, Mszana Gorna, Kasinka Wielka, Skawa, Rokiciny Podhalanske and Tenczyn. An additional element of the educational classes was a multimedia presentation, a diaporama and a free information brochure that was distributed to students and teachers. The schools that took part in ecological classes received a guidebook “How to educate about the Carpathian rivers” (published as part of a previous educational project about rivers implemented by our Foundation). Students taking part in educational activities were invited to participate in a river knowledge contest. A total of 1,736 students and 107 teachers took part in the classes.
Detailed topics of the classes and knowledge gained by participants, in regard to their age: 1) Formation of the river valley (erosion, transport of material, accumulation – geomorphological forms), specificity of mountain and foothill rivers. 2) Natura 2000 program – habitats and animal species protected in Natura 2000 Raba with Mszanka, with emphasis on the role of old trees and dead wood in ecosystems. 3) Threats to migratory fish inhabiting mountain rivers – fragmentation of the riverbed with transverse barriers, river regulation and longitudinal development, embankments, destruction of microhabitats suitable for fish life and reproduction – theft of gravel, the breaking of the riverbed by vehicles, water pollution – sewage and garbage, cutting down of riparian vegetation, etc. 4) Other threats to the river ecosystem (industrial effluents, chemicals used in agriculture, development of the flood terrace and in the river''s free migration corridor, etc.), their effects on nature and humans, and ways to minimize threats (legislation, how to respond). 5) Benefits of natural rivers for humans – landscape and economic functions of rivers – ecosystem services. 6) Floods and droughts – causes, flood protection and water retention – EU Water Framework Directive approach and outdated approach, flood risk maps, natural habitat retention. 7) The impact of climate change on the global and local environment and the role of natural rivers and wetlands in reducing the negative effects of climate catastrophe (water resources on Earth and in Poland, changes in the hydrological regime, climatic conditions, etc.).
3) Seminar
On November 29, 2023 a seminar on river protection was held in Pcim village, based on the example of the Raba with Mszanka PLH120093 Natura 2000 area. The seminar was attended by 24 people. The seminar was intended for a group of people who have a real influence on shaping the functioning of rivers and their protection. They were: employees of local municipal and township offices, employees of the Polish Waters and the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Cracow, responsible for making decisions affecting the Natura 2000 area Raba with Mszanka. Also invited were representatives of science involved in the protection of rivers and fish, employees of national and landscape parks, as well as people who have an impact on the formation of environmental awareness of local society, i.e. teachers, educators, members of non-governmental and tourist organizations etc. The seminar also included a field trip to the Raba River and its tributaries, during which the effects of our project were presented, i.e. actions taken to remove barriers for fish and other aquatic organisms migration on the Raba''s tributaries (Trzebunka and Lubienka) and on part of the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area, which was renaturalized as part of the “Sawning grounds of the upper Raba River” project. Each participant received: materials containing summaries of the presentations given at the meeting, an educational brochure on the Natura 2000 area Raba with Mszanka and other educational materials on rivers and the Natura 2000 program, created in projects previously implemented by our Foundation.
4) River knowledge contest
The river knowledge competition took place between January 29 and April 21, 2024 and a total of 51 people participated. The competition was addressed to the residents of municipalities in which the Natura 2000 area Raba with Mszanka lies, as well as from neighboring municipalities, i.e.: Pcim, Lubien, Mszana Dolna, Niedzwiedz, Raba Wyzna, Rabka-Zdroj and Myslenice. Participants answered a total of 36 questions in three age groups: children/ teenagers/ adults. Detailed age division: children (1st-4th grades of primary school), youth (5th-8th grades of primary school and underage secondary school students), adults (all persons over 18 years of age). The winners of the competition received prizes – binoculars, also books and games about rivers.
5) Publication of educational and promotional materials
(a) Educational brochure. Recipients – residents of the municipalities where the Raba with Mszanka Natura 2000 area is established, as well as the municipalities through which the tributaries feeding the river in the protected section flow. It was important to educate not only the public from the Natura 2000 area, but also from areas that have a direct impact on the quality of nature and the condition of the protected objects in the Natura 2000 area. The brochure was distributed during classes at schools, during a holiday celebrating World Fish Migration Day, and was distributed to municipal and city offices, etc. A circulation of 12,100 pcs.
(b) Diaporama entitled: “Natura 2000 Area Raba with Mszanka PLH120093”. It was presented at the seminar, educational classes and is available for download on website of the Project (for teachers or members of community organizations involved in river and fish conservation, employees of various institutions etc). Diaporama was aimed at school-age and adult audiences. Number of downloads: 715.
(c) Translation from English into Polish of the book: Gough P., Philipsen P., Schollema P.P. & Wanningen H. 2012. „From sea to source; International guidance for the restoration of fish migration highways”. Specifications: B5 format, 365 pages, with color photos and figures. Distribution method: publication in pdf form on the Project website for download. A free guide for use by seminar participants, i.e.: employees of municipal and township offices, employees of the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection, Polish Waters and Catchment Management Boards, hydrotechnicians, engineers, architects, naturalists, river and fish scientists, teachers, educators or members of community organizations involved in river and fish conservation, and other visitors to the Project website – employees of various institutions (administrative, research, educational, university libraries, etc.). Knowled gained: the importance of rivers, migratory fish and their value to society, global threats and challenges to fish migration, river basin approach, legislation and policies around the world, dam removal, technical solutions for hazards and obstacles, monitoring and evaluation of fish migration, communication between specialists and practitioners. Number of downloads: 164.
(d) Promotional articles in the local press, five articles addressed to the local community, living in villages and towns neighboring the Raba River and its tributaries. In the articles, we informed about the project, planned activities, inviting residents to participate in the project.