Ecostreams Life Ecosystem Tender

Duration 01-JAN-2021 to 31-DEC -2026Total budget17038931.00 EU contribution 9166422.00 Project descriptionBackgroundRivers and streams in the boreal region are in general heavily affected by human activities. Rivers are impacted by measures to facilitate large-scale floating of timber such as narrowing and channelizing of water courses e.g. altering them to form straight channels blocking of side channels and removal of large in-stream boulders and dead wood. Commercial forestry is also detrimental to rivers increased siltation road crossingsconstruction and other activities such as clear-cutting of riparian forest have the most profound effects. In addition old dams and dysfunctional road culverts structures that normally allow water to flow underneath reduce the possibility for fish otters and other aquatic organisms to move freely in water systems.ObjectivesThe Ecostreams for LIFE project aims to improve the conservation and ecological status of several aquatic habitats and species in six Natura 2000 sites using a holistic catchment approach. The habitats targeted are Fennoscandian natural rivers and water courses of plain to montane levels. The species comprise freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera Atlantic salmon Salmosalar otter Lutra lutra small liverwort Scapania carinthiaca noble crayfish Astacus astacus and sculpin Cottus gobio. The project will seek to achieve the improvements by restoring habitat quality wetland and stream hydrology and stream connectivity. As a result it will contribute to implementation of the EUs Habitats and Water Framework directives.ResultsExpected results 140 km more than 470 ha of river sections restored remediating the impact of historic timber floating. Increased heterogeneity of river channel geometry reintroduction of boulders and gravel - Increased total area wetted around 5-10 of restored habitat as water can expand from the natural riverbed and onto the floodplain - Increased access of aquatic fauna to the entire floodplain at high flows and - Organic matter important for growth density and diversity of aquatic invertebrates to remain and be processed to a larger extent Almost 470 spawning grounds re-created for salmon and brown trout Migration barriers remediated at over 20 dams and almost 200 road culverts opening nearly 850 km of streams for migration of aquatic fauna Increased number of salmon smolt salmon that are getting ready to go out to sea from around 34 000year to 37 400year at the end of the project and to 62 000year when full recovery of the system occurs in ca. 2040 Greater population sizes and distribution of freshwater pearl mussels. Increase in total number of individuals to some 1.8 million mainly juveniles in reintroduction areas after the project. The project rivers will provide 300 ha of restored mussel habitat and thus the potential for 3 million