Water Courses of Plain to Montane Levels with The

Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation (3260) and species Rhodeus amarus, Barbus barbus, Lutra lutra, Lampetra fluviatilis, Salmo salar – Germany (ATL)

Ranunculus penicillatus Rhodeus amarus Barbus barbus

Lutra lutra Lampetra fluviatilis Salmo salar

Habitat / species Conservation sta- Protection Area / population MS with gen- Other MS and code tus (IUCN) status uine improvement Water courses of plain EU28: Vulnerable HD: Annex I EU: 12,800 km2 DE (ATL), EE, UK AT, BE, BG, CZ, DE to montane levels with (EUNIS C2.2b) DE (ATL): N/A (ALP), DE (CON), DK, the Ranunculion flui- ES, FI, FR, GR, HU, IE, tantis and Callitricho- IT, LT, LU, LV, NL, PL, Batrachion vegetation PT, RO, SE, SI, SK (3260) European Bitterling IUCN Global & EU27: HD: Annex II EU27: > 12,100,000 – DE (ATL), NL AT, BE, BG, CZ, DE (Rhodeus amarus) Least Concern Bern Conven- 59,300,000,000individuals (ALP), DE (CON), FR, (5339) Atlantic: FV tion: Annex DE (ATL): N/A GR, HU, LT, LU, LV, DE (ATL): FV III NL, PL, RO, SI, SK Barbel (Barbus barbus) IUCN Global & EU27: HD: Annex V EU27: > 3,270,000 – DE (ATL) AT, BE, BG, CZ, DE (5085) Least Concern 5,520,000 individuals (ALP), DE (CON), FR, Atlantic: U1 (=) DE (ATL): N/A HU, LT, LU, NL, PL, DE (ATL): FV RO, SK, UK Eurasian Otter (Lutra IUCN Global: Near HD: Annex II EU27: > 54,000 – 85,700 in- AT, BE (ATL), DE BE (CON), BG, CZ, DE lutra) (1355) Threatened and IV dividuals (ATL, CON), IE, IT (ALP), DK, EE, ES, FI, IUCN EU25: Near Bern Conven- DE (ATL): N/A (MED), NL, SE FR, GR, HU, IT (ALP), Threatened tion: Appen- (CON) LT, LU, LV, PL, PT, DE (ATL): U1 (+) dix II RO, SE (ALP), SE (BOR), SI, SK, UK River Lamprey (Lam- IUCN Global & EU27: HD: Annex II EU27: > 2,070,000 – BE, DE (ATL), PL BE, DE (CON), DK, EE, petra fluviatilis) (1099) Least Concern and Annex V 5,630,000 individuals FI, FR, IE, IT, LV, NL, Atlantic: U1 (+) Bern conven- DE (ATL): N/A PL, PT, SE, UK DE (ATL): U1 (+) tion: Appen- dix III

Atlantic Salmon (Salmo IUCN Global (1996): HD: Annex II EU27: > 319,000-481,000 in- DE, DK (ATL) CZ, DK (CON), EE, ES, salar) (1106) Least Concern and Annex V dividuals FI, FR, IE, LT, LU, LV, IUCN Europe: Vulner- Bern conven- DE (ATL): N/A NL, PL, PT, SE, UK able tion: Appen- DE (ATL): U2 (+) dix III

Summary: Water courses of plain to montane levels with Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation in the Atlantic regions of the EU were widely assessed over 2007-2012 as having an unfavourable-bad condition. Pressures mainly stem from human-related impacts such as modification of water courses and pollution. The same pressures affect key species of the habitat: the European Bitterling, the Barbel, the Eurasian Otter, River Lamprey and Atlantic Salmon. Measures to improve the status of the water courses and its species included improving and restoring the water quality and the hydrological regime, as well as establishing protected areas. Thus, the positive effects of measures taken to improve the status of the habitat also enabled a growth in population of the associated species across Germany. In addition to reducing habitat related pressures on the species, measures were taken to regulate fishing practices and the management recommendations were formulated by the Federal Agency for Nature Con- servation for specific endangered species.

Background Status and EU occurrence Water courses of plain to montane levels with Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation are wide- spread in Europe throughout all biogeographical regions, although rare to the south (EEA, 2013). They are distributed widely across Germany, with an area of 2,695 ha of which the majority (57%) of the habitat is located in Lower Saxony (Ackermann et al, 2016). The conservation status for this habitat type was largely assessed as unfavourable-bad or unfavourable-inadequate across the EU in all biogeographical regions except the steppic region (RO only) and Alpine region (in which 6 out of 10 Member States classified the habitat status as favourable) (Annex 1; EEA, 2013). In Ger- many, the habitat’s conservation status is favourable in the Alpine region, but unfavourable-inadequate in the con- tinental biogeographical region and unfavourable-bad in the Atlantic region, the latter region being the focus of this case study. However, within the Atlantic region positive trends suggest that some improvement to unfavourable- inadequate conservation status for the habitat is expected in the future. This type of habitat is of key importance to a variety of species, including those on Annex II of the Habitats Directive that are listed below:  The European Bitterling (Rhodeus amarus) is a temperate freshwater fish that is distributed through central and eastern Europe in the basins of the North Sea, southern Baltic Sea, and the Mediterranean basin, but only in the northern Rhône in France (Kottelat, 2006; Freyhof and Kottelat, 2008). The species is abundant and expanding in most of its range (Kottelat and Freyhof, 2007).  The Barbel (Barbus barbus) is widely distributed across Europe, from the north of the Pyrénées and Alps, from the Adour (France) eastward to the Neman (Lithuania, Russia) river basins, in rivers draining to the Atlantic, North Sea and southern Baltic Sea; in the Danube to Dniepr river basins flowing into the northern Black Sea basin; in south-eastern England north to Yorkshire; and, the species inhabits almost all Mediterra- nean catchments in France (Fishbase website, undated). Pollution in central Europe has affected the species, but stocks are recovering (Kottelat and Freyhof, 2007).  The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) is a widely distributed mammal, inhabiting parts of Europe, Asia and Africa (Ando and Corbet, 1966). Within Europe, populations are present from central Denmark, the western parts of Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, the eastern parts of France, Switzerland, the western parts of Austria to central Italy, where the otter is extinct or reduced to small and sometimes isolated sub- populations (Roos et al, 2015). The population of the Eurasian Otter is declining overall, but recovering in western Europe (Pacifici et al, 2013).  The River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) is located in fresh waters, rivers, brooks and lakes all across Europe from Norway to France, including Ireland and the British Isles, as well as the Baltic Sea and along the French and western Italian coasts of the Mediterranean (Kottelat and Freyhof, 2007).  The Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) is a fish of the North Atlantic (including the North and Baltic Seas) and Arctic Oceans and rivers flowing into them from Portugal to Siberia (westernmost Kara Sea). However, it has been extirpated from large parts of its historical European range in Portugal, Spain, northeast France, the low countries, Germany, Poland and the Finnish/west-Russian Arctic (Freyhof, 2014).

Ecological requirements The habitat type in question includes sections of watercourses of plains to montane zones characterised by the pres- ence of floating or submerged vegetation (BfN, 2011). The habitat can be present in natural watercourses such as streams and rivers, backwaters with water through-flow, as well as near-natural drains (BfN, 2011). The structure of this habitat can be described as layered communities of mostly rooted plants. The German Federal Agency for Nature conservation advocates that protection schemes should cover the entire watercourse complex as well as large sections of the watershed (BfN, 2011), in order to conserve the habitat of the following species, among others.  The European Bitterling is a plant eating fish that is most abundant in still or slow-flowing water with dense aquatic vegetation and sand-silt bottoms, such as lowland ponds, canals, slow-flowing rivers, backwaters and oxbows, where freshwater mussels are present as the female lays her eggs within them (Kottelat and Freyhof, 2007; Maitland and Campbell, 1992). Its life span is up to 5 years, but most individuals do not sur- vive their first year and population sizes fluctuate greatly over the years (Matiland and Campbell, 1992).  The Barbel lives in the deeper, faster-flowing upper reaches of rivers with stony or gravel bottoms and mainly feeds on benthic invertebrates, such as small crustaceans, insect larvae, molluscs, mayfly and midge larvae and also on small fish and sometimes algae. It usually spawns in very shallow, fast-flowing riffles (Maitland and Campbell, 1992).  The Eurasian Otter can inhabit diverse aquatic habitats, such as highland and lowland lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, swamp forests and coastal areas (Mason and McDonald, 1986). The species is dependent on bank side vegetation, as well as requiring holes in the river bank, cavities in tree roots, piles of rock, wood or debris for breeding purposes (Mason and McDonald, 1986). Eurasian Otters primarily feed on fish (80% of their diet) (Erlinge, 1969, Webb, 1975, Ruiz-Olmo and Palazon, 1997).  The River Lamprey lives in fresh waters, in rivers, brooks, and lakes (Renaud, 2011). The species is mostly anadromous, but some populations are permanent freshwater residents. The species prefers hard bottoms as habitat or lives attached to larger fish, such as cod and herring (Fricke, 2007). Adults undergo reproductive migration from the sea to shallow middle or upper reaches of rivers and streams with strong currents between September and November (Kottelat and Freyhof, 2007).  The Atlantic Salmon is an amphihaline species (i.e. a migratory species that has a life cycle split between fresh and marine waters). It spends most of its life in freshwater (Rochard and Elie, 1994), in all rivers where temperature rises above 10° C for about 3 months per year and does not exceed 20° C for more than a few weeks in summer (preferred temperatures 4-12°C) (Kottelat and Freyhof, 2007). Young Atlantic Salmon remain in freshwater before migrating to coastal marine waters or even to open oceans where they remain for 1-4 years before returning to freshwater for spawning (Rochard and Elie, 1994). The Atlantic Salmon’s life span extends up to 10 years, but the usual range is 4-6 years (Muus and Nielsen, 1999). Pressures and threats According to the national Article 17 reports (Germany) and published research, the main pressures and threats on water courses of plain to montane levels with Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation are related to human-related changes that affect the river’s structure and hydrology, such as modification of riverbanks (e.g. to create flood protection banks/dykes), river canalisation and weir / dam construction (such as to make rivers more navigable or create reservoirs for hydro-power), and the intensive maintenance of river bank vegetation. Additional pressures noted include pollution (e.g. through fertilisation of agricultural areas as well as the use of biocides, hor- mones and chemicals), shipping and urbanisation that result in thermal heating of water bodies and pollution of surface water, invasive alien species, leisure fishing and other water sports, grassland removal for arable land, forest replanting, intensive maintenance of public parks and cleaning of beaches, and reduction of habitat connectivity. The species inhabiting these regions are affected by similar pressures and threats, as the quality of water and surrounding habitat affects their survival and breeding. For example, the European Bitterling is negatively impacted by water pollution, weed clearing, and stocking of predatory fish. Pollution in central Europe has been the main pressure affecting the Barbel (Kottelat and Freyhof, 2007).The River Lamprey is negatively affected by water pollution as well as canalisation, migration barriers and dredging (EIONET, 2014a) while the Atlantic Salmon is in addition affected by professional fishing, poaching, agricultural intensification, disposal of household and recreation waste as well as marine and freshwater aquaculture (EINOET, 2014b). Depletion of food sources force otters to scout new habitat and therefore to cross roads, which, for example, leads to over half of otter deaths in Saxony being the result of traffic (Sächsisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Geologie website, undated).

Drivers of improvements: actors, actions and their implementation approaches Organisers, partners, supporters and other stakeholders For the LIFE projects that included habitat 3260 and associated species, particular success was achieved with those projects that involved public stakeholders, public authorities, unions, and other associations. For example, the LIFE+ Nature project ‘Optimisation of the Stream Valleys in the Arnsberg Forest’ (2009-2014) encompassed habitat 3260 in its study site, aiming to restructure the existing morphology back to a natural state and thus enhancing the ecosystem to benefit biodiversity. The project was organised by a local county working group, which collaborated with a regional nature conservation centre and a nature park. The forestry office and municipality were key participants within the project by allowing the measures to be carried out on their land, as well as contributing to their conception and implementation. Another good example of successful stakeholder engagement for improving the conservation status of habitat 3260 in Germany was the LIFE project ‘Bachtäler Arnsberger Wald - Rehabilitation of the streams in the Arnsberger Wald’ (LIFE07 NAT/D/000214), which worked together with the Arnsberger Wald Nature Park to simultaneously build a sustainable nature conservation site as well as an attractive tourist location. The project additionally worked together with social institutions (international youth camps, agencies for long-term unemployed people) and engaged a high number of volunteers for project support with the help of local partners (BS Hochsauerlandkreis and ABU Soest). Contributions / relevance of strategic plans (e.g. species/habitat action plans) While no action plan for specific species and habitats has been implemented at a national level in Germany, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation has published a number of ‘General management recommendations for selected species and habitats of the Habitats Directive’ for the improvement of the conservation status of Natura 2000 features that are listed in Annex I, II, IV and V of the EU Habitats Directive (Ellwanger and Frederking, 2018). These management concepts were drawn up within the context of the research and development project ‘Contribu- tion for the improvement of the conservation status of Natura 2000 sites: Development of management concepts for selected species and habitats of the Atlantic biogeographical region, listed in the EU Habitats Directive Annexes’. The management concepts aim to provide the scientific basis for threatened species and habitats in Germany, as well as offer management suggestions that have proven to be successful in implementation before. Altogether, 59 management concepts have been published for 38 habitats and 21 species, including habitat 3260 and the Eurasian Otter. The management concepts specifically aim to advise local and regional administrations and institutions assigned with the implementation of the Habitats Directive and especially the local stakeholders that are responsible for the reali- sation of the conservation measures (for example biological stations and landscape preservation associations). For watercourses in Germany, such as river 3260, the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) has been an important driver of the improvement measures. In the framework of the WFD, Germany’s federal states have implemented strategic plans to meet WFD targets. For example, the WFD management plan of North Rhine-Westphalia promotes the renaturalisation of the aquatic ecosystem within the region. In the LIFE Project ‘Rur und Kall’ (LIFE10 NAT/DE/000008), the action plan ‘Wanderfischprogramm Nordrhein-West- falen 2016-2020’ (migrating fish program North Rhine-Westphalia) identified certain rivers as habitats for Atlantic Salmon (Borrass, 2018). For the habitat this meant comprehensive redesign of measures, since a different volume of water needed to be secured for potential use by Atlantic Salmon. In taking into account the multiple uses of the habitat, wider measures (such as habitat restoration) were implemented to ensure sustainable conservation for species and related ecosystems (Borrass, 2018).

Measures taken and their effectiveness The measures considered by Germany overall to be highly important for the conservation of the species are listed in the table below. Application of conservation measures for river habitat and associated species for 2007-12 in Ger- many

Application of conservation measures for Habitat 3260 for 2008-2012 in DE Code Measure Type Importance 4.1 Restoring/improving water quality Administrative contractual one off High 4.2 Restoring/improving the hydrological regime Administrative contractual one off High 6.0 Other spatial measures Legal administrative one off High 6.1 Establish protected areas/sites Legal one off High Application of conservation measures for Rhodeus amarus for 2008-2012 in DE Code Measure Type Importance 2.1 Maintaining grasslands and other open habitats Legal contractual High 4.1 Restoring/improving water quality Administrative one off High Legal administrative contractual re- 4.2 Restoring/improving the hydrological regime High current one off 6.3 Legal protection of habitats and species Legal High 7.0 Other species management measures Legal contractual High Application of conservation measures for Barbus barbus for 2008-2012 in DE Code Measure Type Importance 4.1 Restoring/improving water quality Administrative one off High 6.1 Establish protected areas/sites Legal one off High Application of conservation measures for Lutra lutra for 2008-2012 in DE Code Measure Type Importance 4.0 Other wetland-related measures Legal one off High 6.4 Manage landscape features Administrative recurrent High Regulation/management of fishery in limnic sys- 7.2 Contractual recurrent High tems Specific single species or species group manage- 7.4 Contractual recurrent High ment measures Application of conservation measures for Lampetra fluviatilis for 2008-2012 in DE Code Measure Type Importance 4.1 Restoring/improving water quality Administrative one off High 4.2 Restoring/improving the hydrological regime Administrative one off High 6.0 Other spatial measures Administrative High 6.1 Establish protected areas/sites Legal one off High Regulation/management of fishery in limnic sys- 7.2 Legal High tems Application of conservation measures for Salmo salar for 2008-2012 in DE Code Measure Type Importance 4.1 Restoring/improving water quality Administrative one off High 4.2 Restoring/improving the hydrological regime Administrative one off High 6.1 Establish protected areas/sites Legal one off High 6.3 Legal protection of habitats and species Legal High Source: DE Article 17 report 2013 at https://bd.eionet.europa.eu/article17/reports2012/

In light of the second ‘flood of the century’ in the same century in 2013, a focus in Germany was set on the renaturation of alluvial plains where rivers had been restructured. The Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conserva- tion and Nuclear Safety (BMU) stated that good conditions for implementation of measures include ambitious stakeholders that fuel the project, enough available areas for renaturation, public participation, and reconciliation of the aims of water economy and nature protection, as well as synergies amongst stakeholders from different sectors

(BMU, 2015). Such measures have been implemented on federal state and regional levels through regional development programs, as well as in communes through land-use plans and at project levels. In 2017, the Federal Republic of Germany responded to potential gaps in achieving WFD requirements by 2027 by implementing the federal program ‘Blaues Band’ (blue thread). The aim is to restore almost 3,000 km of rivers (of 7,800km total) that are not used for navigation anymore. The idea for this action is based on a preceding implementation of a biotope network ‘Grünes Band’ (green thread) that follows the historic border between East and West Germany. The Blaues Band project is a cooperative initiative between the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development. In Germany, measures that have been most effective for habitat type 3260 include the protection and conservation of streams, including their hydrology, trophic level and natural meandering course along with unfortified river banks (BfN, 2007). Also, the removal of weirs / dams and any other transverse structures that hinder river flow is beneficial to the ecosystem and migratory fish. Since one of the main threats to the otter in Germany is traffic, passages have also been put in place at bridges and other barriers that enable the animals to move along the river without crossing roads. Funding sources (current and long-term) and costs (one-off and ongoing) Key funding sources are not fully documented, but the LIFE Nature Programme has played an important role in species and habitat recovery, in particular through the number of projects listed in Annex 2. The Federal government also funds programs, taken forward by ministries or regional authorities. Future actions: Ongoing conservation measures are expected to continue because the German Federal Agency for Nature Conserva- tion promotes the implementation of conservation measures for habitat 3260 and the Eurasian Otter in their published management recommendations.1 For example, the Agency’s management recommendations specifically promotes the implementation of buffer zones with the extent of a minimum of 10 metres around the habitat to avoid human interferences (Ackermann et al, 2016). At the same time, agricultural pollution should be avoided or mini- mised within floodplains by reducing agricultural land use in flooding areas, in best-case scenarios converting the area to grassland, avoiding fertiliser use and cultivating plants types natural to floodplains. Efforts connected to maintenance of drainage performance should be avoided if possible to avoid impacts on morphological structures. Additionally, the restoration of the habitat to its natural state should be on the forefront of future actions, along with the re-establishment of the connectivity of the river network to allow ecological processes to recover. Management plans within LIFE projects will usually not carry on beyond the course of the project’s life. However, it is now a requirement for the development of an ‘After LIFE Conservation Plan’ that describes measures that should be further implemented (Schmitz, 2018). For example, the After LIFE Conservation Plan for the LIFE project ‘Bachtäler Arnsberger Wald - Rehabilitation of streams in the Arnsberger Wald’ (LIFE07 NAT/D/000214), which encompasses habitat type 3260, advocates the annual inspection of implemented measures in the water course and proposes financing mechanisms.

Achievements Impacts on the target species Although information is lacking to quantify the impacts of the targeted measures (as described above), they have undoubtedly had a key role in maintaining or enhancing habitat 3260 and its associated key species. However, since many of the threats to the habitat are difficult to regulate, such as pollution through fertilisers, invasive species, and the continued intensive land use in areas surrounding the habitat, its conservation and improvement may prove difficult in the long-run (Ackermann et al, 2016). The Eurasian Otter is a good example of the positive effect that conservation programs can have on a species (Acker- mann et al, 2016), as the species’ conservation status has progressively been improving since the 1990s in Germany (see Annex 1). For the European Bitterling and the Barbel, trends in range and population are increasing in Germany, where the restoration of water quality and the establishments of protected areas for the species have shown positive effects on the species’ conservation status.

1 Management concepts available online: https://www.bfn.de/themen/natura-2000/management/massnahmen- konzepte.html

Other impacts (e.g. other habitats and species, ecosystem services, economic and social) Implementing conservation measures for habitat 3260 has led to many benefits for species of this and adjacent habitats, as well as socio-economic benefits for people living in or visiting the region. The management measures implemented in the LIFE project ‘Bachtäler Arnsberger Wald – Rehabilitation of streams in the Arnsberger Wald’ (LIFE07 NAT/D/000214) had a positive impact on threatened species and habitats as well as the local economy, by benefitting local small enterprises that provided services for close to €700,000 (i.e. by engaging forestry enterprises and building companies). In addition, the increased value of the effected Nature Park resulted in growth in the local tourist sector. Through engaging social groups, such as local and international youth as well as unemployed individuals, the project had a positive impact beyond the ecological benefits it was aiming for in the region.

Conclusions and lessons learnt The key targeted conservation measures that led to the improvements  Returning watercourses of plain to montane levels to their natural state was the most successful conservation measure for the threatened habitat.  Restoring and improving water quality by sufficiently reducing agri-environmental pressures was necessary to allow species to flourish within the watercourses in question.  Restoring and improving the hydrological regime was an additional part of the successful improvement of conservation status. Conservation measures that have not been sufficiently effective  Agricultural pressures have not been sufficiently reduced in order to ensure a significant reduction of pressures on the presented habitat.  Measures to halt the increase of invasive alien species in the habitat of the fish documented here have not yet been sufficiently implemented. Factors that supported the conservation measures  Local stakeholder engagement raised awareness of the vulnerability of the species and their habitat, and highlighted the need for conservation measures.  The availability of funding that could be specifically targeted towards the species conservation needs, in particular the LIFE Nature programme action grants.  The push for long-term conservation measures, such as returning habitats to their natural state, has been a vital step towards achieving their expected long-term sustainable improvement in conservation status. Factors that constrained conservation measures  Limitations on available funding for specific habitat and species conservation measures and available staff to support monitoring and enforcement patrols.  A lack of effective and implemented species and habitat action plans, as well as LIFE projects that work together with local policy makers to implement management plans beyond the project’s life.  Land use change pressures are continuously increasing, such as fertilisation and the spreading of invasive alien species, making it nearly impossible to reverse negative trends even with conservation measures in place. Quick wins that could be applied elsewhere  The creation of passageways under busy roads that are often crossed by Eurasian Otters.  Enforcement of buffer zones of a minimum of 10m around the threatened habitat can help to avoid negative human interferences, and is less intrusive to the environment than returning water courses to their natural state, as well as less costly. Examples of good practice, which could be applied to other habitats and species  Programmes for renaturalising rivers, which also have a very positive effect on many other species within the habitat.  The engagement of stakeholders from the tourist sector and interested members of the public can help fund the conservation of habitat and species, as well as educate people about the multilateral benefits of an intact environment.  The evaluation of effective management measures by the nature authorities laid the groundwork for target- ing issues involving threatened habitat and species and enabled regional and local stakeholders to invest in measures.

References

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Authorship Prepared by Lina Röschel of the Ecologic Institute, as part of the European Commission study on identifying the drivers of successful implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives (under contract ENV.F.1/FRA/2014/0063), carried out by the Institute for European Environmental Policy, BirdLife International, Deloitte, Denkstatt, Ecologic, ICF Consulting Services and PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. The information and views set out in this case study are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Commission.

Acknowledgments The case study was informed by information and expert opinions provided G. Ellwanger, W. Frederking, C. Schmitz and J. Silva. Photographs Ranunculus penicillatus: H.-U-Küenle (2012): Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinselbl%C3%A4ttriger_Wasserhahnenfu%C3%9F#/media/File:Ranunculus_penicillat us_k1.jpg European Bitterling: Viridiflavus (2009): Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhode- usAmarusBitterlingMale1.JPG Barbel: Sven Petersen (2008): Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Barbus_Barbus_(juvenile).JPG Eurasian Otter: Bernhard Landgraf (no date): Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Fischotter,_Lutra_Lu- tra.JPG River Lamprey: Ra Boe (2008): Wikipedia https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampetra_planeri#/media/File:Sor- genti_del_Pescara_21_(RaBoe).jpg Atlantic Salmon: Hans-Petter Fjeld (2006): Wikipedia https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Salmo_salar-Atlan- tic_Salmon-Atlanterhavsparken_Norway.JPG

Annex 1 Trends at EU and Member States Levels

Habitat: Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion flui-tantis and Callitricho-Batra- chion vegetation (3260)

Favourable FV Unknown XX Unfavourable - inadequate U1 Unfavourable - bad U2

3260 2001-06 2007-12 Overall Range Area Structure Future Overall DE [ATL] U2 XX N/A U2 U1 U2 BE U2- 15299 7.67 U1 U1 U1 DK U1 12856 989 U1 U1 U1 ES XX 53427 82 U1 U1 U1 FR U1 64000 198 FV FV FV IE U2 82200 234.90 U1 U1 U1 NL U1 4700 1.20 U1 U1 U2 PT U1 1500 N/A U1 U1 U1 UK U2- 189601.96 N/A U2 U1 U2 EU 27 U2 474045 1513 2GD 2GD MTX Source: Member State Article 17 reports as complied by ETC-BD on EIONET https://bd.eionet.europa.eu/article17/re- ports2012/habitat/summary/

Species

Favourable FV Unknown XX Unfavourable - inadequate U1 Unfavourable - bad U2

Rhodeus amarus 2001-06 2007-12 Overall Range Population Habitat Future Overall DE U1 43547.25 N/A 7234.12 N/A FV 147400- BE FV 19800 80 N/A FV 643620800 FR FV 102800 N/A 21100 N/A FV 104650- NL U1 23000 1681 N/A U1 523250 EU25/27 MTX 189147 N/A 2GR 0 MTX

Barbus barbus 2001-06 2007-12 Overall Range Population Habitat Future Overall DE U1 12851.37 N/A 6552.88 FV FV 3300- BE U1 4800 14.17 N/A U1 100000 10000- FR FV 154200 31900 N/A U1 50000 UK FV 35236 N/A N/A N/A FV NL FV 11600 1000-5000 5800 N/A U2 EU25/27 MTX 218687 2GD 2GD 2GD MTX

Lutra lutra 2001-06 2007-12 Overall Range Population Habitat Future Overall DE U1 35535.71 N/A 2692.52 N/A U1 BE U2 7900 -50 3688 N/A U2 DK FV 13222 N/A 12184 N/A FV ES XX 65101 N/A 47266 N/A FV FR FV 165400 5000-10000 162600 N/A FV UK FV 2343602.05 13314 206362 N/A FV IE U2 81200 N/A 3115 N/A FV PT FV 6700 N/A 206 N/A FV 18314- EU25/27 U1 618661 2GD 2GD MTX 23364

Lampetra fluviatilis 2001-06 2007-12 Overall Range Population Habitat Future Overall DE U1 82179:63 N/A 48497.80 N/A U1 4310- BE U2 4400 70.30 N/A U2 4310000 DK XX N/A N/A N/A N/A XX 10000- FR U2 35700 14000 N/A U2 50000 UK U1+ 77968 N/A N/A N/A U1 IE FV 75300 N/A 75300 N/A FV 10000- NL U1 15900 7950 N/A U1 100000 24310- EU25/27 MTX 291448 2GD 2GD MTX 4460000

Salmo salar 2001-06 2007-12 Overall Range Population Habitat Future Overall DE U2 20100.68 N/A 9310.28 N/A U2 DK U2 5200 N/A N/A N/A U1 ES XX 26301 N/A 15399 N/A U2 15000- FR U2 76000 364500 N/A U2 30000 UK U1 180057.75 N/A 1098.53 N/A U1 IE U2 63200 244107 569 N/A U1 NL U2 12300 500-1500 6150 N/A U2 PT U2- 2200 N/A 18 N/A U2 259607- EU25/27 MTX 385359 2XR 2GD MTX 275607

Source: Member State Article 17 reports as complied by ETC-BD on EIONET https://bd.eionet.europa.eu/article17/reports2012/species/summary/

Annex 2. LIFE Nature Projects in Germany that targeted the habitats and species covered in this case study

Source: Life Programme database, projects with the habitat or species as a key word

Projects relating to: Habitat 3260 and one or more of the species Rhodeus amarus (5339), Barbus barbus (5085), Lutra lutra (1355), Lampetra fluviatilis (1099), Salmo salar (1106) Type Of Project Title Project N° MS Benefi- ciary DONAUKEH - Hillsides and Floodplains in the Danube valley between LIFE07 Regional DE Neustadt and Bad Abbach (DONAU KEH) NAT/D/000225 authority Ems-Dynamik+Habitate - Near-natural river and flood plain develop- LIFE08 Regional DE ment of the River Ems at Einen – river dynamics and habitat diversity NAT/D/000008 authority LIFE08 Regional Obermain - Upper Main valley DE NAT/D/000001 authority NGO- LIFE10 Rur und Kall - Rur and Kall – fluvial habitats DE Founda- NAT/DE/000008 tion NGO- Nebenrinne Bislich-Vahnum - Restoration of a side channel of the LIFE08 DE Founda- river Rhine near Wesel, Lower German Rhine NAT/D/000007 tion Park-Re- LIFE+Nationalpark BayWald - Bogs, flowing waters and nardus grass- LIFE12 DE serve au- lands in the Bavarian Forest National Park NAT/DE/000093 thority Emsaue NRW - Ems flood plain : uninterrupted passage for fauna, LIFE99 Local au- DE lenghtening of the course of the river, dynamic flood plain processe NAT/D/005931 thority Stechlinsee - Restoration of clear water lakes, mires and swamp for- LIFE00 Regional DE ests of the Lake Stechlin NAT/D/007057 authority NGO- Mittelgebirgsbach Euskirchen - Restoration of the habitat type "oligo- LIFE03 DE Founda- tropic low mountain stream" NAT/D/000003 tion Lippe-Aue - Optimisation of the pSCI "Lippe flood plain between LIFE05 Local au- DE Hamm and Hangfort" NAT/D/000057 thority NGO- Bachtäler Arnsberger Wald - Rehabilitation of streams in the " Arns- LIFE07 DE Founda- berger Wald" NAT/D/000214 tion Life+ Möhneaue - Restoration and improvement of the SCI "Möhne LIFE08 Local au- DE Oberlauf" and the SCI "Möhne Mittellauf" NAT/D/000009 thority LIFE09 Regional Rheinauen bei Rastatt - Rhine wetlands near Rastatt DE NAT/DE/000004 authority

Projects relating to: Rhodeus amarus Type Of Project Title Project N° MS Benefi- ciary Ems Niedersachsen - Near-natural river dynamics on the River Ems in LIFE03 Local au- DE Lower Saxony NAT/D/000006 thority DONAUKEH - Hillsides and Floodplains in the Danube valley between LIFE07 Regional DE Neustadt and Bad Abbach (DONAU KEH) NAT/D/000225 authority

Projects relating to: Barbus barbus Type Of Project Title Project N° MS Benefi- ciary Ems Niedersachsen - Near-natural river dynamics on the River Ems in LIFE03 Local au- DE Lower Saxony NAT/D/000006 thority NGO- Nebenrinne Bislich-Vahnum - Restoration of a side channel of the river LIFE08 DE Founda- Rhine near Wesel, Lower German Rhine NAT/D/000007 tion

Projects relating to: Lutra lutra Type Of Project Title Project N° MS Benefi- ciary LIFE96 Regional Biber/Fischotter - Stabilization of the population of beaver and otter DE NAT/D/003040 authority Park-Re- LIFE+Nationalpark BayWald - Bogs, flowing waters and nardus grass- LIFE12 DE serve au- lands in the Bavarian Forest National Park NAT/DE/000093 thority

Projects relating to: Lampetra fluviatilis Type Of Project Title Project N° MS Benefi- ciary Emsaue NRW - Ems flood plain : uninterrupted passage for fauna, LIFE99 Local au- DE lenghtening of the course of the river, dynamic flood plain processe NAT/D/005931 thority Stechlinsee - Restoration of clear water lakes, mires and swamp forests LIFE00 Regional DE of the Lake Stechlin NAT/D/007057 authority NGO- Mittelgebirgsbach Euskirchen - Restoration of the habitat type "oligo- LIFE03 DE Founda- tropic low mountain stream" NAT/D/000003 tion Lippe-Aue - Optimisation of the pSCI "Lippe flood plain between Hamm LIFE05 Local au- DE and Hangfort" NAT/D/000057 thority NGO- Bachtäler Arnsberger Wald - Rehabilitation of streams in the " Arns- LIFE07 DE Founda- berger Wald" NAT/D/000214 tion Life+ Möhneaue - Restoration and improvement of the SCI "Möhne LIFE08 Local au- DE Oberlauf" and the SCI "Möhne Mittellauf" NAT/D/000009 thority LIFE09 Regional Rheinauen bei Rastatt - Rhine wetlands near Rastatt DE NAT/DE/000004 authority

Projects relating to: Salmo salar Type Of ` Project N° MS Benefi- ciary Lippe-Aue - Optimisation of the pSCI "Lippe flood plain between Hamm LIFE05 Local au- DE and Hangfort" NAT/D/000057 thority