Green Infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe Cases from the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania Kristijan Civic, ECNC and Agnes Zolyomi, Zolyomi, CEEweb Workshop on redesigning the landscape, connecting ecosystems and benefitting from their services by Green Infrastructure 7 October, Budapest
Why the workshop, why the cases? Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin These cases can be a good base to serve as a kick-off for the brainstorming for project planning and implementation and to pay attention to possible traps to avoid.
Future activities Brochure based on the cases and the workshop outcomes 2nd European Conference on Regions and Biodiversity: Local action for biodiversity: the role of regions (18 & 19 November, Brussels) Croatian workshop on sectoral implementation of Green Infrastructure (1st week of December, Zagreb) The project activities are financed by the European Commission
The Czech Republic - Territorial System of Ecological Stability Where Territorial System of Ecological Stability of the Landscape TSES whole country urban, rural, Natura 2000, national parks, ecological network What Desgination and connection of urban, rural, Natura 2000 sites and national parks, ecological network Who national, regional and local authorities; local communities; land owners
The Czech Republic - Territorial System of Ecological Stability Finances National and EU funds (especially from operational programmes and EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) (2008-2010 580 million EUR) Concrete activities - Mapping, designation, identification and establishment of biocorridors on the ground; creation of urban greenery; Results Ecosystems connected through corridors; projects implemented to achieve favourable conditions for long-term survival of targeted species (e.g. large carnivores); restoration of degraded ecosystems; tackling habitat fragmentation, river restoration, flood and erosion control, increase in agricultural productivity attributed to biological control and pollination (support for environmentally sound agricultural practices); diversification through eco-tourism; increase in certified products; increase in water quality; increase in the number of products whose branding relates to cultural identity; increase in the number of tourists and in the employment supported by tourism;
Poland - Conservation of Baltic raised bogs in Pomenaria Where Pomenaria, Poland (Natura 2000 sites) What Removing of invasive trees and old draining systems; blocking drainage systems; construction of ditches; drawing up management plans; extension of Natura 2000 network with new sites Who NGOs (e.g.ceeweb Member Naturalists Club Poland), regional forest authorities; regional nature conservators, regional administration office; Agricultural Property Agency; Landscape Park; Ministry of Environment
Poland - Conservation of Baltic raised bogs in Pomenaria Finances - EU LIFE Programme, National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, GEF Small Grants Programs, EkoFundusz Foundation, Regional Fund for Environment Protection and Water Management Gdansk Concrete activities - blocking 724 points of drainage systems, construction of 4 km of ditches, cutting of trees in 13 bogs sites, raising awareness among 300 local people, series of workshops and study trips to Estonia and Scotland Results Restoring species and genetic diversity; Increasing quality of water; Flood protection; Reduced surface water run-off; Monitoring and research on endemic or protected species and habitats, Extension of Natura 2000 network with 15 sites and of protected areas of national importance with 13 sites
Romania - Comana wetlands, in Giurgiu County Where Comana wetland, South Romania(Natural Park, Natura 2000 and Ramsar sites) What Ecological restoration of habitats and reinforcement of species population Who Giurgiu County Council, in Romania, in partnership with Comana Local Council and Administration of Comana Natural Park and County Council Giurgiu has a good collaboration with Local Environmental Protection Agency and land users from the area of Comana wetland restoration area
Romania - Comana wetlands, in Giurgiu County Finances Sectorial Operational Programme Environment 2007-2013, Priority Axis 4 Implementation of Adequate Management Systems for Nature, Protection. Concrete activities Construction of a pavilion for information and monitoring small dam to achieve a permanent retention rate at Comana pond, walkways, bridges and signal indicators, network of ornithological observatories, monitoring system of wild birds and environmental factors, awareness-raising Results wetland bird species from 157 species to 212 species, fish and prey populations, increasing of water level led to de-silting of the pool and as well as increasing the water surface. New feeding sites for birds species of ducks and herons in the area previously occupied by reeds have been established and the nesting places for birds were been maintained. It is estimated that the habitat for bird species was improved on the surface of minimum 30% of initial surface of Comana wetland and the number of birds increased by at least 5%. First monitoring system of environmental parameters. Temporary new jobs (20). 10.000 visitors to protected sites per year. 500 educational excursions per year
Right in front of our nose Hmm how could I use these
Re-designing the landscape How to design? draw a map of a fragmented, topographically varied imaginary (or real) landscape (hills or mountains, floodplains) including: roads, energy infrastructure, a town/ villages/ smaller settlements, farms; and natural habitat such as rivers, streams, forests, grasslands etc. use the map as a basis to identify: ecosystem services( ES) aspect: ES delivered by the various natural features on the map (e.g. economic and health benefits provided by medicinal herbs present in traditionally managed grasslands, retention potential for flood prevention, green areas in the urban environment to improve living conditions, etc.). connectivity aspect: consider bottlenecks in the landscape for the movement of species (e.g. mammals, amphibians and reptiles, invertebrates, etc.).
Re-designing the landscape How to design?
Re-designing the landscape How to design? Mark both the identified ES and the bottlenecks to connectivity on the map and, on a separate flip chart, briefly describe them (e.g. creating the space for the river to enlarge its retention capacity, Hydro Electric dam causing a blockage to fish migration, etc.), and Identify possible projects for: improving/ restoring existing (or potential) ES; or for solutions to the connectivity bottlenecks. The projects should be related to some (or all) of the above listed ES and bottlenecks Identified ES/ bottlenecks Brief description Possible GI project
Re-designing the landscape How to implement? Prioritise the GI projects identified above based on: e.g. benefits they will provide; ecological imperatives; financial issues; likely political constraints - discuss and agree top three projects. Decide who/which key actors (specific individuals/ organisations) should be involved in implementation of the specific solutions for successful delivery of selected GI projects and to what level (i.e. partner, consulted, informed) Consider implementation (based on your experience): key issues and or opportunities; and what would be possible sources of finance; public/ voluntary involvement; EU; etc.
Re-designing the landscape How to implement? GI project Key stakeholders Issues / (level of opportunities involvement) Sources of funding
Plenary session Rapporteur in each group Presentation from each group (5 minutes each) focusing on: Priority projects and why are those a priority Implementation why these might or might not work Important: make note of the colour coding on your name badge!