When nature shows the way
Supporting biodiversity in Europe
Tackling biodiversity loss has long been neglected, and as a result, nature across Europe is now in an alarming state. Nature restoration provides a cost-effective way to address the biodiversity crisis. It also offers enormous potential to tackle climate change, and deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.
Although the European Union recognises the importance of conserving and restoring nature through the European Green Deal objectives and, most recently the Nature Restoration Law, sufficient financing for such projects is woefully lacking. Our recent report reveals some of the key barriers holding back financing for nature.
The following cases demonstrate some of the many ways EU funds can and should be used to support nature restoration and conservation projects. These are instrumental to address the biodiversity crisis across sectors while also building a greener, fairer future.
New factsheets ‘Led by nature: Projects to protect and restore biodiversity in Europe’
From drainage to restoration: A new chapter for Estonia’s wetlands
Mires are wetlands characterised by a thick layer of continuously accumulating peat. These vital ecosystems help to maintain biodiversity, sequester carbon, and regulate water levels across the landscape.
In Estonia, drained peatlands are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and thus exacerbate climate change. Our case study highlights the success of a project aimed at restoring the water regime of a mire ecosystem, leading to a remarkable growth in vegetation and the recovery of multiple species.
The Wisłoka: Overcoming barriers on a Polish river
The Wisłoka, a river in south-eastern Poland, used to be a habitat and breeding ground for migratory fish. But the construction of barrages and channel regulation works along the river have led to the extinction of many fish species.
This case study highlights a project that installed carefully-designed fish passes, allowing aquatic organisms to swim freely once again.
Protecting the biodiversity of Estonia’s agricultural landscapes
This case study focuses on the biodiversity of agricultural landscapes. Launched in 2020, the LIFE-IP ForEst&FarmLand project is dedicated to the comprehensive management of Estonia’s forest and farming landscapes. Its aims are to improve the conservation status of Estonia’s Natura 2000 habitats and species, and to protect and restore its ecosystems and landscapes.
A truly nature friendly investment – support for the development of Blooming meadows
The case focuses on the LIFE integrated LatViaNature project ‘Blooming meadows’, which aims to gradually increase biodiversity in potentially biologically valuable grasslands that have not been ploughed for some time and where the characteristics of natural grasslands have started to return. The goal is to help the grasslands to achieve the status of an EU protected habitat, which would allow the manager of the grasslands to receive continuous support from the Common Agriculture Policy funding in the future.
The Tisza–Túr reservoir: restoring habitats to help farmers adapt to floods and drought
For centuries, people have had to drain excess rain and flood-water from agricultural areas as quickly as possible to be able to grow more crops. On the other hand, with the diminishing summer rains, retaining water is just as important. The region located close to the Túr estuary in north-east Hungary is currently changing their approach to water management to be prepared for the threat of drought.
This case study demonstrates the Tisza–Túr flood reservoir which uses controlled flooding and draining methods, and serves the dual purpose of preventing both floods and drought.
When Nature Shows the Way: supporting biodiversity for Europe’s green recovery
Investments in nature conservation have long been neglected, and as a result, nature across Europe is now in a terrible state. Biodiversity conservation projects can address this by providing cost-effective ways to restore nature and sustainably manage ecosystems; tackle climate change; and deliver environmental, social and economic benefits at the same time.
Member States are about to invest unprecedented amounts of EU public funds and resources through both the EU budget and recovery fund. There has therefore never been a better time to transition away from investments in grey infrastructure that led to the current status of biodiversity loss, instead choosing to finance the transformative changes needed to halt biodiversity loss. We can now choose to create long-term value and this means realigning investments to work for, not against, nature.
The following cases demonstrate just some of the many ways EU funds can and should be used to build a greener, fairer future. By investing strategically in nature we can both ensure a swift and resilient economic recovery that works for the environment and fully realise climate and biodiversity objectives.
Established in 2005, Vértes Nature Park is the first officially declared nature park in Hungary. It is a prime example not only of sustainable landscape management, but also of successful regional cooperation, bringing together 17 municipalities of the Vértes region.
The Pro Vértes Public Foundation takes an active role in organising and conducting nature conservation activities and tourism projects in cooperation with the region’s local governments. Other activities include research, monitoring, education, awareness-raising, training, capacity building and the preservation of local cultural heritage.
From the beginning, traditional grazing has been at the core of nature protection activities. A model farm was created that ensures the ecological utilisation of these areas and contributes to the maintenance and revitalisation of related folklife forms, customs, ethnographic values and the preservation of ancient domestic breeds.
Impacts and benefits
The activities of the programme have resulted in the restoration of 2,000 hectares of habitat and the repopulation of the area with predatory birds. The arable land was converted into grassland, which is now maintained by the grazing of traditional domestic breeds: grey cattle and buffalos. Almost 1,000 artificial nest boxes have been installed to promote the nesting of birds and the reproduction of local bird species.
The programme also brought social benefits with educational programmes and the promotion of ecotourism.
Pictures: Levente Viszló
This case was identified by Pro Vértes Public Foundation for Nature Conservation and Pro Vértes Non-profit Plc.
The Botanical Garden in the Marszewo Forest is a 50 hectare area located on land managed by the Gdańsk Forestry Inspectorate Gdynia, Poland close to the Baltic Sea. It was established in 2010 to protect the local natural landscape. It currently has 31 plant collections with nearly 300 plant species and various ecosystems, including native and alien species, as well as managed and wild areas that provide habitats for animals and insects.
Since 2016, the Botanical Garden has also aimed to raise awareness about the forest ecosystem and its sustainable use. In addition to opening the garden for recreational purposes, it also offers various educational trails and interactive workshops.
Impacts and benefits
The Garden is a source of multiple benefits. It protects existing habitats and creates new ones, as well as maintains the diversity of the forests. At the same time, the Garden also provides opportunities for tourism, appreciation of nature and educational programmes.
Furthermore, as a public entity that generates profit from tickets and related sales, creates jobs and supports sustainable tourism practices, the Garden has a positive economic impact.
The project is also socially beneficial for the area, as the Botanical Garden gives residents of the nearby urban areas increased access to green space and creates an opportunity for them to build a connection with nature.
Pictures: www.marszewo.edu.pl
This case was identified by Naturvation.
The Josefov Meadows Bird Park, established in 2006, is a 70-hectare wet meadow located in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic. The project was initiated by a local amateur ornithologist, who wanted to restore a traditional irrigation system on the grassland.
The Bird Park aimed to rehabilitate the native wetland and grass meadow ecosystem and promote the enhancement of the local biodiversity. This was done by restoring traditional irrigation systems and creating new ecosystem elements such as ponds to provide food for birds and living space for many endangered species.
Impacts and benefits
The intervention primarily restores and protects biodiversity, with secondary cultural benefits.
The number of birds in the park is constantly growing. By 2020, more than 180 species of birds had been recorded, including Common Snipe, Northern Lapwing, Redshank and Spotted Crake. The rehabilitated bird park is also home to an increased number of plant species.
The observatory and environmental trail provide educational and recreational activities for visitors.
This case was identified by Naturvation.
Photos: Ludmila Korešová and Marián Polák.
Gaštanica Park in Bratislava, Slovakia is an almost 5,000 square metre public green space created on a former chestnut orchard in an urban forest area. The revitalisation of Gaštanica Park was part of the project ‘Bratislava is preparing for climate change’, an answer to the extreme weather conditions Bratislava has experienced in recent decades. The project will improve the resilience of the city against the impacts of climate change, in particular intense rainfall and heat island effects.
The park was home to more than 100 chestnut trees, half of which were attacked by a fungal bark cancer. Therefore, the objectives of the park rehabilitation were to halt the degradation of its ecosystem, treat and preserve the existing chestnut trees, and secure the natural development of the green area.
Since climate change and extreme weather events in Bratislava affects some groups more intensely, the newly renovated park offers an open green recreation zone for citizens, especially the elderly and children.
Impacts and benefits
The project provided disease control measures and the rehabilitation of the natural chestnut forest ecosystem. The applied stormwater management contributes to flood regulation and the optimisation of the local climate.
This case was identified by Naturvation.
The Atanasovsko Lake Natura 2000 site is located north of Burgas, Bulgaria on the coast of the Black Sea. Salt has been produced there since 1906, in a traditional manner with no negative effects on the inhabitants of the lake.
The ‘Salt of Life’ project was initiated in 2011 to address the increasing urbanisation of the coastline and damages brought by a 2010 flood. The project included a variety of activities which improved habitats for local biodiversity and created new opportunities for local residents.
There are diverse habitats in and around the lake which attract numerous bird species as grounds for feeding, nesting and rest. The lake provides a home for 333 bird species, 127 of which are listed as endangered.
Impacts and benefits
The project contributed to the restoration of the favourable conservation status of the lake’s coastal lagoon habitat, to the benefit of certain bird species. Monitoring has shown that six key bird species regarded as particularly threatened under the EU’s Birds Directive are showing a positive trend in their nesting behaviour.
The project also provided direct investments to restore the lagoon and improve the tourist and visitor infrastructure of Atanasovsko Lake, creating opportunities for local businesses, recreation, sports, environmentally-friendly tourism and environmental education.
Pictures: Spas Uzunov
This case was identified by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation.
