Lower Morava Floodplains

The Morava is the largest left-side tributary of the Upper Danube in Central Europe and Austria’s only near natural lowland river with Pannonian character. The frequent flooding is essential for the floodplain’s grassland and forests. Due to regulation and intensification measures in the last century the river is now classified only with a moderate status (according the EC Water Framework Directive) and habitats for endangered species of fauna and flora are limited. Within the EC supported Life+ project “Restoration of the Lower Morava Floodplains” ambitious restoration measures will be implemented between 2011 and 2017. The aim of the project is to extensively restore near-natural river dynamics in the Lower Morava floodplains, as well as to foster land-use practices, which preserve biodiversity and to specifically preserve endangered species and types of habitats. Detailed objectives The most important objectives are the redynamisation, the reestablishment of the characteristic island landscape and the improvement of the connectivity between river floodplains in the confluence area of the Morava floodplains. Therefor artificially cut off river branches are reconnected, riprap and traverse barriers will be removed. In the floodplain area the objectives focus on the extensification of land use by converting cropland into grassland in the open landscape surrounding the river restoration measures. The cultivation of relictary floodplain water bodies will be optimised in terms of conservation needs. Furthermore there will be measures to improve the conservation status of the floodplain forest by controlling the introduction and dispersal of invasive alien species like Maple Ash (Acer negundo). Implementation of an innovative grassland management by reintroducing grazers (e.g. Konik horses) in the WWF floodplain reserve near Marchegg. Identification of a framework for a sustainable, cross-border fisheries management at the Morava. Furthermore, specific measures for the preservation of characteristic and highly endangered habitats and species (e.g. Storks, Kites, Eagles and Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) will be implemented. Improvement and stabilization of the population of the European weather loach (Misgurnus fossilis), a characteristic species of lowland rivers, by offspring. Around 70% of the total project budget is spent on specific conservation measures and basic assessment and analysis, around 15% on purchase of land and compensation payments and further 15% on the project management.

The main result: the realised infrastructure of the cross-border water supply system. The joint water supply system will result in a better quality drinking water, and in the long term preservation of the water resources. Further results: the consumption peaks of the summer season will be manageable, the consumption of energy will be lowered due to the shortened pumping distances. Renaturalisation of the river banks along a stretch of 6 km, where potential areas for characteristic river bank formations such as sandbanks, escarpments, and alluvial forests will be generated. Additionally, 4 km of river branches will be revitalised and 16 ha restored through a national programme; Improvement of cross-linking of areas through the removal of barriers in at least five spots. As a result, 25 km of near-natural streamed river branches will be created; Protection of at least 10 floodplain water bodies in the outer floodplains, which will create good conditions for target species in an area of some 20 ha; Extension of cultivation, which will improve and secure a total of 65 ha of ecologically significant open landscape habitats; Reintroduction of grazing management, which constitutes a pilot project for the improvement of habitat structures; Improvement of habitat conditions of floodplain forests at the river banks by river restoration works and by controlling invasive plants such as box elder (Acer negundo); Improvement in the conservation status of six representative target species and three types of habitats of Community interest through specific supporting measures; and Greater acceptance of conservation measures through specific information and environmental education in four municipalities. Land users and stakeholders will be directly involved in the project implementation.