Description
Czech nature is rich and diverse in species and habitats. However, many of the country's species are classified as vulnerable and are in need of active protection. An existing action plan contains guidelines for nature conservation authorities, researches and land owners on how to maintain endangered species populations. It is a special tool which provides complex knowledge of species and recommends the necessary protection. The Freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is a specially protected species, whose “Action Plan for Freshwater Pearl Mussel” was prepared in the year 2000 with an update in 2014. Project meets target of the state environmental policy of the Czech Republic for 2012-2020. The main objective of the project is the implementation of the action plan through feasibility study for revitalization of sites in the Southern Bohemian region, Rokytnice and Luční potok area, one of the three regions of occurrence of the species. As a part of the project two feasibility studies will be done. The project outcome is to improve species environment by preparation of feasibility studies. The project outputs are two studies which include e.g. hydrobiology research or analysis of water content. Project will also include part of publicity. The target group of the project is primarily nature-conservation authorities and species. Secondarily, the protection and connected activities will carry out the influence over the general public via education. There’s no project partner from donor countries only a local partner: company KV+MV AQUA, s.r.o., contributing to the project with its expertise and experience.
Summary of project results
The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is a protected species whose “Action Plan for Freshwater Pearl Mussel” was prepared in the year 2000 with an update in 2014. Project meets target of the state environmental policy of the Czech Republic for 2012-2020. The main objective of the project was the implementation of the action plan by feasibility study for revitalization of sites in the Southern Bohemian region, Rokytnice and Luční potok area, one of the three regions of occurrence of the species. Revitalizing inappropriately modified riverbeds, most often their straightening in the past, leads to excessive depth and later erosion at increased water flows in the channel As part of the feasibility study were realised communications with experts, consultation meetings and interviews, land explorations, stakeholder communications, hydrochemical analysis, hydrological studies and hydrobiological researches. The project outcome was to improve species environment by preparation of feasibility studies. The project outputs were two studies which include e.g. hydrobiology research or analysis of water content. The project also included a publicity component, which involved the creation of a website. The project helped identify priorities for active protection of the habitat of freshwater pearl mussels at two major locations of the emergency program, the freshwater pearl mussel in the Czech Republic - Rokytnice on Ašsko and on Lužní potok Prachatice. The project began communication between the stakeholders at both of these locations. It contributed to the improvement of relations between interest groups in the basin of the Lužní potok Prachatice and confirmed the problematic situation in the basin Rokytnice.
Summary of bilateral results