1. Module 3: Environmental Objectives, Programme of Measures, Economic Analysis, Exemptions PoM implementation: wetland restoration Alexei Iarochevitch Afyon, 2015

2. Contains  The role of wetlands in WFD implementation (CIS guidance 12)  Case study 1: restoration of degraded bogs with support of beavers  Case study 2: riverbeds restoration  Case study 3: restoration of floodplain meadows

3.  Wetlands/floodplains and their connection to river water bodies play an important role in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems and have a positive effect on water status  Connected wetlands/floodplains play a significant role when it comes to retention areas during flood events and may also have positive effects on the reduction of nutrients and improvement of habitats  As an integral part of the river system they are hotspots for biodiversity, also providing habitats for e.g. fish and waterfowls that use such areas for spawning, nursery and feeding grounds. Role of wetlands in PoM

4. Role of wetlands

5. У природному стані деградоване Impact of wetlands on climate change Absorb С0 2 emissions Release C0 2 emissions In natural state In degraded state

6. Ecosystems within a river basin

7. WFD provisions in relation to wetlands  Obligations to surface waters, which will apply to those ‘open water’ wetlands which are identified as water bodies  Obligations to prevent more than very minor anthropogenic disturbance to the hydromorphological condition of surface water bodies at high ecological status (HES). The hydro-morphological quality elements of a surface water body include the structure and condition of riparian, lakeshore or inter-tidal zone, and hence the condition of any wetlands encompassed by these zones.  Obligations to protect, enhance and restore wetlands identified as water bodies  Obligations towards wetlands that are not individual water bodies, but part of the riparian zone.  Obligations to achieve good groundwater status

8. Protected areas and the Water Framework Directive Under the WFD, “Protected Areas” include areas designated for the abstraction of water intended for human consumption, recreational waters, nutrient-sensitive areas as well as areas for the protection of economically significant aquatic species and areas designated for the protection habitats or species where the maintenance or improvement of the status of water is an important factor in their protection (see Annex IV).

9. WFD obligations related to wetlands  Obligations, as requested specifically under the Habitats (92/43/EEC) and Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) Directives  Obligations under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention)

10. Ramsar sites in Turkey  In total – 14 (www.ramsar.org)www.ramsar.org

11. Example of Ramsar site description

12. Case studies in Ukraine

13. Case study 1: rewatering of degraded bogs Background situation:  In the period of large-scale amelioration of the bogs and wet grasslands, large areas were transformed into agricultural lands.  At present agricultural lands are not used, became dry and fire–prone. Fires in 2008 in Polissya Nature Reserve

15. Case study 1: rewatering of degraded bogs Solution:  Backfilling of large amelioration canals in order to raise the ground water levels.  Construction of network of meandering channels.

16. Solution:  Planting willow – food for beavers. Case study 1: rewatering of degraded bogs

17. Solution:  Lifestyle of family of beavers leads to ensuring permanent inundation. Case study 1: rewatering of degraded bogs

18. Beaver house

19. Case study 2: riverbeds restoration Background situation: Pollution by organic matter, poaching dams, unlimited water in-take from river especially in summer caused  significant overgrowing of riverbeds by water plants and sediments  water stagnation, anoxicity in summer  inundation floodplains for the period up to 6 months

20. Overgrown riverbed of Pripyat

21. Poaching dam

22. Pripyat-Stokhid National park  Located in the floodplain of Pripyat and Stokhid (river of 100 branches) rivers  The area includes two Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat)  Place for rest during seasonal migration for more than 150,000 birds

24. Machine-amphibian Truxor  With a wide range of easy to fit tools, Truxor can cut and collect aquatic weed and reed growth, dredge, excavate,etc. It is combined with low ground pressure allow it to operate in sensitive areas without damage to the environment. Truxor is the ideal choice when working on wildlife reserves, golf courses and other sensitive areas normally inaccessible to conventional machines. Being able to simply travel from land to water is a great asset in wetland conservation management.

25. Effect : Before After

26. Effect:

27. Case study 3: restoration of floodplain meadows  A wet meadow is a type of wetland with soils that are saturated for part or all of the growing season  Vegetation in a wet meadow usually includes a wide variety of herbaceous species including sedges, rushes, grasses and a wide diversity of other plant species  They provide habitat for globally endangered bird specie – aquatic warbler. The number of birds, living in the National Park, is about 2750 which makes 56% of Ukrainian population or around 20% of the world population Aquatic warbler

29. Solution :  Taking into account that it is hard to reach the wet meadows during much of the year, the cutting was done in winter on ice/frozen soil

30. Effect :  The cuttings gave the positive effects, and biodiversity field surveys showed the increase of the signing males of aquatic warbler and nests at the pilot area.  In order to change the ecosystems such cuttings should be conducted for two more years. Aquatic warbler, nesting

31. Thanks for attention!