Restoration of the river Isar and LIFE14 NAT/DE/000278 LIFE Flusserlebnis Isar its floodplains in the region of the lower Isar valley

Project background

The project area is located in the Lower Isar valley in Beneficiary: , . It covers 699 ha, about 31 km of the Name of beneficiary river Isar as well as the outstanding alluvial forest and Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und alluvial island system between Loiching and Ettling in Verbraucherschutz­ the county of -Landau. The river Isar, via the Postal address Danube, connects the alpine region with Eastern Europe Rosenkavalierplatz 2 and therefore plays a very important role in the bio-­ D – 81925 München geographical habitat network, especially for wetland, GERMANY peatland and dry habitats. Phone +49 8992143316 Fax +49 8992143497 The original character of the alpine and pre-alpine river Email [email protected] Isar, however, has changed considerably. Large-scale modifications to the river have been made to meet the Name of contact person demands of flood protection, energy production and the Andreas LAUDENSACK intensification of land use. The ecological function of the Duration of project: river, as well as the alluvial floodplains and the natural 87 months (01/10/2015 – 31/12/2022) dynamics of the alluvial floodplains, have declined signifi- cantly. Multiple damming of the river bed has moreover Total budget in euro: created migration barriers for a range of species while 6,354,640.00 also preventing the transportation of sediment. Former structures, habitats or species that were characteristic of EU contribution in euro: this area have now disappeared or are highly endangered. 3,812,784.00

Project objectives

The main aim of the LIFE project is to improve the Expected results ­habitats at the Isar valley through restoration measures • Purchase of 2.8 ha of agricultural and forestry land; focused on the River Isar and specific tributaries, and by • Some 1 650 m of restored, structured river banks, optimising the habitat conditions in the alluvial areas. 1 500 m river banks with removed bank enforcement, It will focus on demonstrating scientific and economic 3 050 m new gravel and sand banks, and 4 490 m ­synergies created through close cooperation between structured river banks; water management and nature conservation authorities. • An increase of the populations of huchen (Hucho hu- cho), asp (Aspius aspius), streber (Zingel streber), pigo Specific project aims are to: (Rutilus pigus) and white-finned gudgeon (Gobio albi- • Restore the river banks of the Isar and its tributaries pinnatus); to improve river dynamics and habitat functions for • Some 2 600 m of semi-natural and ecologically im- organisms living in running watercourses; proved alluvial water bodies (habitat type 3150) and • Optimise, increase and connect soft- and hardwood improved habitats for the European weatherfish (Mis- alluvial forests with typical alluvial water bodies, gurnus fossilis); ­especially in areas of restored river banks; • A new river branch of the Isar of 420 m in length, • Extension and connection of important dry habitats and 20 new or optimised permanently flooded alluvial such as alluvial islands; water bodies (3150), • Protection of seven habitat types listed in Annex I of the • Some 28 new small ephemeral water bodies and Habitats Directive, including two priority ones, and seven ­improved habitats and conservation status for species in Annex II of the Habitats Directive as well as ­yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata); the improvement of their conservation status; and • Some 49 ha of layered, richly structured and semi- • To raise awareness among the public and land users natural soft- and hardwood alluvial forests, and of Natura 2000, the project with its valuable habitat ­improved conservation status and connectivity for types and species, as well as the importance of com- the habitat types alluvial forests (91E0*) and riparian plex alluvial systems for biodiversity. mixed forest (91F0);