Case study:Conservation strategies for forest and wild river in Gesaeuse: the Johnsbach Beck restoration
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Project overview
Status | Complete |
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Project web site | http://www.nationalpark.co.at/nationalpark/de/life.php?navid=102 |
Themes | Habitat and biodiversity, Hydromorphology, Monitoring, Social benefits |
Country | Austria |
Main contact forename | Daniel |
Main contact surname | Kreiner |
Main contact user ID | |
Contact organisation | Gesäuse National Park |
Contact organisation web site | http://www.nationalpark.co.at/nationalpark/de/life.php |
Partner organisations | |
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
Project summary
The River Johnsbach, a tributary to the River Enns, was heavily regulated and deprived of biological and hydromorphological diversity. Of particular concern was the inability of fishes to overcome the high concrete structures and the spawning habitat shortage all along the river corridor.
Part of the LIFE+ multi-site project for the restoration of the River Enns and its surrounding ecosystems was delivered in the Johnsbach Brook. The works targeted a stretch of several kilometres, were bank reinforcement structures were take-off and the mouth of the river was ecologically enhanced (i.e. gravel banks, etc.).
Restoration outcomes are positive overall. In particular, fish are now able to migrate and greater habitat diversity significantly supports in-site species populations (i.e. Common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)). However there is still a technical problem related with the adjustment of the river slope and the high steps imposed by old sills. There is a deficit of dynamic gravel resulting from the long-lasting excavation in the Johnsbach valle. Overtime, changing erosion processes as well as variable flooding will continually modify the site while the river network is regaining its natural functionality.
The River Restoration Centre would like to thank Daniel Kreiner from the Gesäuse National Park for providing the information and photographs for this case study.
Monitoring surveys and results
Lessons learnt
Catchment and subcatchment
Site
Name | |
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WFD water body codes | |
WFD (national) typology | |
WFD water body name | |
Pre-project morphology | |
Reference morphology | |
Desired post project morphology | |
Heavily modified water body | No |
National/international site designation | Austria - Nationalpark |
Local/regional site designations | Natura 2000, National Park |
Protected species present | Yes |
Invasive species present | Yes |
Species of interest | Alcedo atthis, Bombina variegata, Bonasa bonasia, Cottus gobio, Cypripedium calceolus, Dendrocopos leucotos, Eudontomyzon spp., Ficedula parva, Leuciscus souffia, Lutra lutra, Picoides tridactylus, Picus canus, Rosalia alpina, Tetrao tetrix tetrix, Tetrao urogallus |
Dominant hydrology | |
Dominant substrate | |
River corridor land use | |
Average bankfull channel width category | |
Average bankfull channel width (m) | |
Average bankfull channel depth category | |
Average bankfull channel depth (m) | |
Mean discharge category | |
Mean annual discharge (m3/s) | |
Average channel gradient category | |
Average channel gradient | |
Average unit stream power (W/m2) |
Project background
Reach length directly affected (m) | |
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Project started | 2005/02/01 |
Works started | |
Works completed | |
Project completed | 2011/08/01 |
Total cost category | |
Total cost (k€) | 2,363.2062,363.206 k€ <br />2,363,206 € <br /> |
Benefit to cost ratio | |
Funding sources | EU LIFE III |
Cost for project phases
Phase | cost category | cost exact (k€) | Lead organisation | Contact forename | Contact surname |
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Investigation and design | |||||
Stakeholder engagement and communication | |||||
Works and works supervision | |||||
Post-project management and maintenance | |||||
Monitoring |
Supplementary funding information
Total budget 2,363,206.00 € EU contribution 1,181,603.00 €
Reasons for river restoration
Mitigation of a pressure | Regulation of water courses, intensive forestry practices, tourism, traffic |
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Hydromorphology | |
Biology | |
Physico-chemical | |
Other reasons for the project |
Measures
Structural measures
| |
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Bank/bed modifications | |
Floodplain / River corridor | |
Planform / Channel pattern | |
Other | |
Non-structural measures
| |
Management interventions | |
Social measures (incl. engagement) | |
Other |
Monitoring
Hydromorphological quality elements
Element | When monitored | Type of monitoring | Control site used | Result | ||
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Before measures | After measures | Qualitative | Quantitative |
Biological quality elements
Element | When monitored | Type of monitoring | Control site used | Result | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before measures | After measures | Qualitative | Quantitative |
Physico-chemical quality elements
Element | When monitored | Type of monitoring | Control site used | Result | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before measures | After measures | Qualitative | Quantitative |
Any other monitoring, e.g. social, economic
Element | When monitored | Type of monitoring | Control site used | Result | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before measures | After measures | Qualitative | Quantitative |
Monitoring documents
Image gallery
Additional documents and videos
Additional links and references
Link | Description |
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http://www.nationalpark.co.at/nationalpark/de/life-gewaesser-johnsbach.php | Gesäuse National Park (2008) Revitalisierung "Johnsbach" 2006-2010 (Partnerprojekt) |
http://http://www.nationalpark.co.at/nationalpark/de/life.ph | Life-Project: Conservation strategies for forest and wild river in Gesaeuse |
Supplementary Information
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