The dwarf bulrush (Typha minima) is a typical pioneer species of large alpine floodplains and prefers to colonise freshly created oxbow lakes with sandy-silty sediments, which are always found somewhat away from the main channel.
Due to river engineering measures in the last 100 years, this species has declined so much in Europe today that it is classified as acutely threatened with extinction in the Red Lists. Today, the remaining small populations in the Alpine region are mostly isolated and some have already fallen below the critical population size. Therefore, relief measures must be taken to ensure the survival of the dwarf bulrush.
Incidentally, one of the largest occurrences of the dwarf bulrush in the Alpine region is located in the Tyrolean Lech Nature Park.
For several years now, the Plant species threatened with extinction a Species Conservation Programme in the Tyrolean Lech Nature Park carried out with the following objectives:
Since 2003, the species protection programme has been scientifically prepared and technically accompanied by Prof. Dr. Norbert Müller from the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, Department of Landscape Management and Biotope Development.
Since 2012, Prof. Dr. Konrad Pagitz has been running a conservation culture for the "Lechtal" dwarf bulrush in the Botanical Garden of the University of Innsbruck, with the aim of keeping plants for ongoing reintroduction projects.
Since the beginning of the species conservation programme, many Lechtal schoolchildren have been significantly involved in the reintroduction and care of the dwarf bulrush as part of environmental education measures.