In Improve Aquatic LIFE we work in different themes. These are improving connectivity in watercourses, improving habitats in watercourses and coastal areas, improving the hydrological regime by restoring the water-holding capacity of the landscape and improving conditions for our target species salmon, sea lamprey, thick-shelled mussel and river pearl mussel. For each theme, we have a theme coordinator who, among other things, will ensure that we take advantage of the results and experiences we gain within the project by documenting the learning.
Improved connectivity
Improved connectivity – to improve the ability of flora and fauna to disperse up and downstream in the watercourses, we will remove migration barriers and to improve the contact between the water and the riparian zone on the sides, we will restore the floodplain in the watercourses. On the coast, we will improve the possibility for animals and plants to spread along the shallow areas by opening up a couple of piers.
Improved morphology
Improved morphological restoration – to improve habitats in rivers and coastal waters, we will restore flowing waters for species such as salmon and trout, calmer waters (so-called backwaters) for species such as sea and river lamprey in rivers, and on the coast restore rocky reefs lost through ‘stone fishing’ and eelgrass beds that are important nursery areas for many fish species.
restoring stone reefs lost through ‘stone fishing’
Improved hydrology
Improved hydrological regime – to improve the ability of the landscape to retain water during heavy rainfall so that water is available during dry periods, thus reducing the risk of floods and droughts, we will recreate wetlands by plugging ditches to rewet bogs and fens, raising submerged lakes and restoring or creating open wetlands in the agricultural and forestry landscape.
Improved reproduction
Improving the conservation status of target species – to improve habitats and strengthen populations of our target species, mussel host fish will be infested with mussel larvae in watercourses where the species does not currently reproduce. For sea lamprey, sandbanks and backwaters will be created in watercourses where the species still exists to increase the possibility of reproduction.
Theme coordinators
For our different themes, we have a couple of theme coordinators. Their task is to keep the work of the project together and support our partners in implementing actions. An important part of their work is also to take advantage of the results and experience we gain within the project so that we can document the learning and disseminate knowledge further to inspire further measures to improve connectivity, habitats, hydromorphology and strengthen endangered species.