Conservation

Purpose of the Project;
what preparatory work has already been done;
what problems the project is needed to solve, why and for what the project results are needed;
why this particular method of solving the problem was chosen;
how the project is compatible with the operational programme instrument;
who will be responsible for implementing the project, how the project will be organised.

1. Objectives of the nature management project:
1.1 Conserve at least 5 pairs of Whooper Swans and at least 3 to 6 pairs of Great Bitterns.
1.2 Conserve breeding habitats for the Little Crake, Porzana, Common Tern and Black Tern.
1.3. Conserve foraging habitats for migratory flocks of White-fronted Geese.
2. The following tasks are expected to achieve the goals of the nature management plan:
2.1. ensure the preservation of open landscapes on the aquaculture farm
2.2. the creation and maintenance of open island habitats important for breeding sandpipers and geese
2.3. improving the status of breeding waterbird habitats in overwater vegetation
2.4. restoring bird feeding and breeding habitats degraded by swamping
2.5. reduce the negative environmental impacts of the functioning of the ponds

The main threats to the habitats of the protected species in the area are the spread of tall herbaceous and woody vegetation on the shores of the ponds, on the embankments and islands, the formation of homogeneous riparians in the ponds, and the swamping of part of the pond area. Protected rare species in the area prefer habitats in open, semi-open, mosaic or vegetation growing in medium density and medium depth zones. The main measures to avoid these threats are mowing of tall herbaceous vegetation on land and in water, felling of woody vegetation, reduction and fragmentation of continuous reeds and swampy areas. Another group of threats includes the loss of pond water due to the deterioration of the embankments’ containment properties. Drained ponds are more likely to swamp. Life-threatening anaerobic processes take place in them. Due to the sudden breaches of embankments, nests of waterfowl are stranded on land and get at risk of mortality. The containment properties of the ponds are strengthened by means of their reinforcement. Another set of threats relates to the damage caused by pond fishery to river ecosystems: water discharged from ponds in autumn pollutes the basins of the Dysna and Birveta rivers, and water abstracted to fill the ponds in dry springs can lead to a lack of water in these rivers. Increasing the efficiency of mud settling tanks reduces pollution, and the capacity of water supply channels allows more efficient use of spring flood water.

The project has been prepared for the period 2015–2020 in accordance with two nature management plans: Nature Management plan for part of the Birvėta wetlands (581.5 ha) and nature management plan for part of the Birvėta aquaculture farm outside the Birvėta biosphere reserve (156.7 ha). The plans have been prepared in accordance with the rules approved by Order No. 3D-744 of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania. Nature management plan “Nature management plan for the Birvėta wetlands”. In accordance with the instruction of the Rules, it was prepared in accordance with the description of the requirements for the development of a nature management plan, approved by the Order of the Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania of December 14, 2004, No. D1-645 “On the approval of the description of the requirements for the development of a nature management plan”, and approved by the Minister of Environment.

In 2015, all the measures set out in the “Birvėta Nature Management Plan for Wetlands” were completed. Cutting of shrubs (their offspring) on banks and embankments, mowing of embankments, cutting of trees and shrubs (their offspring) other than mowing of tall grass on islands, creation of new permanent islands, cutting of unsuitable reedbeds, clearing of areas of swamped ponds on non-peaty soils, clearing of swamped channels. The selected nature conservation measures correspond to the ecological specialization of the bird species specified in the project objectives and the natural characteristics of the area where the project is implemented, its natural changes, and the nature of human economic activity. Therefore, the project meets the requirements for the implementation of the 2014–2020 action program measure “Aquaculture performing environmental protection functions” of the Lithuanian fishery sector of the II Union priority “Promotion of environmentally significant, resource-efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based aquaculture”, as it provides habitats important for waterfowl including restoration and conservation of properties beyond normal good aquaculture practices.

The measures of the Nature Management Plan will be implemented with the support as provided for in the Implementing Rules for the measure “Aquaculture with environmental functions” of the Second Union Priority of the Operational Programme of the Lithuanian Fishery Sector 2014–2020, “Promotion of environmentally sustainable, resource efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based aquaculture”, approved by the Order of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania of October 6, 2015, No. 3D-744.

The implementation of the project will be under the responsibility of the management of Birvėtos tvenkiniai, UAB, and all planned measures will be implemented using the company’s own capacities.

The Sirvėta Regional Park Authority will coordinate and support the beneficiary by providing advice on the best way and timing of the implementation of the nature management plan measures as required.

(to be completed by the applicant by marking the relevant box with ‘X’)

(to be completed by the applicant)

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738,2

581,5

110

60

696552

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