EU LIFE programme Bringing peatlands back to life João Pedro e Silva LIFE Nature & Biodiversity expert Neemo - Aeidl Athlone -29th September 2015

The Nature and Biodiversity strand should contribute to the implementation of EU’s policy and legislation on nature and biodiversity and support further development and implementation of the Natura 2000 network. Since 1992, LIFE Nature (now Nature and Biodiversity) has co- financed more than projects, providing some €1.5 billion EU co-funding and mobilizing a further €1.3 billion in other public and private contributions. This continuous source of targeted financing has radically changed the capacity of many countries and regions to protect and manage Natura 2000 network sites. LIFE Nature & Biodiversity

LIFE Programme structure Priority areas, Thematic priorities, Project topics

Priority area Nature and Biodiversity LIFE sub-programme for Environment, including as priority areas (previous strands) environment and resource efficiency, Nature and Biodiversity, and governance and information Thematic priorities NATURE – activities (Natura 2000) aimed at improving the conservation status of habitats and species; activities in support of the Natura 2000 network bio-geographical seminars; integrated approaches for the implementation of prioritised action frameworks (PAFs) Thematic priorities BIODIVERSITY – activities for the implementation of the Union Biodiversity Strategy to 2020

7110 Active raised bogs

7130 Blanket bogs (* if active bog)

Activities - damaging actions– effects

Bogs concrete conservation actions habitats LIFE projects main objective : Bog restoration Improving the conservation status (targeted species and habitats) Concrete conservation Actions: Restoring the hydrology of the bog (including water quality); o Restoring the ecological value of the bog vegetation and/or increasing its o biodiversity

Restoring the hydrology of the bog Blocking drainage ditches: Light blocking – peat or wood, plastic piles “heavy” blocking – building dams, large steel blocks

Results – LIFE Nature project (Germany) Rosenheimer Stammbeckenmoore

Restoring the ecological value of the bog vegetation and/or increasing its biodiversity Removing vegetation (tree and scrub removal) Removal of Molinia Transplanting of Sphagnum (special after peat extraction or erosion) Sod cutting Pond creation (for invertebrates, amphibians and birds) Grazing and/or Mowing (to avoid overgrowth)

Betula removal - Denmark

Sphagnum beds– UK (MoorLIFE Project)

LIFE projects actions failures Not involving all the stakeholders Failing to buy land that led not to develop restoration actions Fail to implement compensation or swap schemes (e.g. peat extraction or water) Low timber value Lack of monitoring actions (e.g. Conservation status

Thank you! João Pedro Silva LIFE Nature & Biodiversity expert Astrale Aeidl