A MUSSEL TALK. A project overview focusing on information activities. The thick shelled river mussel brings LIFE back

Transcription

1 A MUSSEL TALK A project overview focusing on information activities The thick shelled river mussel brings LIFE back Ivan Olsson, Project Manager, UC4LIFE, CAB Skåne

2 A MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROJECT ( ) Restoration Scientific approach The mussel work Monitoring and information Twelve project sites in eleven river systems: Fragmentation Habitat loss Loss of biodiversity Weak populations of the thick shelled river mussel (U. crassus) or extinct Twelve LIFE-project sites covering the historical distribution range of U crassus

3 OBJECTIVES - HABITATS To recreate a more diverse aquatic environment, with positive impacts on: - Biodiversity - Connectivity - Hydrology - Water quality - U. crassus,

4 OBJECTIVES - SPECIES Identify the host-fish species for U. crassus (complicated life cycle). Develop farming methods for U. crassus Re-introduction of U. crassus Estimate survival rates of U. crassus

5 OBJECTIVES - INFORMATION To raise awareness about water management and river re-storation, by using U. crassus as the pedagogue and our achievements as catalysts (future projects). If society doesn t understand what we are doing, the doing is pointless Myaybe the mussels can help us out?

6 U. CRASSUS AS SYMBOL OF THE PROJECT? Interesting life cycle Flagship species Indicator species Host-fish utilization? Are functional species river specific? River restoration / conservation actions needs to consider habitat requirements for both mussels and fish

7 RESTORING RIVERS, HABITATS AND CONNECTIVITY Recreate hydrology, increase habitat variability/surface, connectivity and improve water quality Information activities: Grand opening ceremonies, school kids events, press conferences, river walks and seminars. Publications and presentations

8 HOST FISH MAPPING AND RE-INTRODUCTION Identification of host fish species, developing farming techniques and re-introduction of U. crassus Information activities: Press conferences, school kids events, seminars. Scientific and other publications and presentations.

9 INFORMATION AND DISSEMINTATION U. crassus as the story teller, using its life cycle as a model for illustrating river ecology functions - Indicating a healthy environment U. crassus = clean water = happy kids - Huge historical distribution range, - Filtering water, reducing nutrients - Long lived, an interesting pedagogue

10 MUSSE THE PAINTER More than 1000 school kids have been educated by Musse. Several of our most successful dissemination events have not been originally planned for, - so room for tunings is desirable

11 INFORMATION - TRANSFERABILITY Re-introduction of U. crassus first time ever, Create cool news - media coverage - Information events / invite dragplåster - Social media / Bob s blog - Networking activities - Research / other publications (> 50) - Media publications (> 250) European Parliament Member I. Fylan opening ceremony in May 2014

12 CHALLENGES Suspicion for authorities (ie the project) by locals / stakeholders. Difficulties representing both the project and the authority Pedagogic skills amongst project crew sometimes weak, not always used to work pro-actively. Publish news when fresh. Timing is everything PUSH IT! Difficult to integrate research / academia into LIFE-program

13 SUCCESS FACTORS Much dependent on the major achievements (restoration and reintroduction) made by the project, but: - The holistic approach (integrate information / restoration / mussel work) - The long-term approach (five years) - The academic approach (reliability etc) - The international approach (quality) Water councils and school children major tools Spin-offs: the movie, cost-benefit analyze, additional projects such as Mera musslor and RE-CONNECT!

14 THANKS