The starting signal for the LIFE project "Dynamic River System Lech", in short "LIFE Lech", was given in autumn 2016.
Large gravel banks and intact wild river sections characterize the Tyrolean Lech and the joint border section with Germany. It is precisely this ecosystem that is one of the most threatened landscape types in Central Europe.
The LIFE Lech project builds on the successfully implemented project "Wild River Landscape Tyrolean Lech" in that measures have already been taken to redynamize the river habitat in the middle and lower reaches of the Lech. This time, 11 river engineering measures will be implemented in the upper reaches of the Tyrolean Lech and in the border area on German territory. These are the areas that are particularly suitable for the restoration of dynamically shaped gravel areas and pioneer sites. In this way, habitat can be created for highly specialized species adapted to the wild river, such as the German tamarisk(Myricaria germanica), the bullhead(Cottus gobio) or the little ringed plover(Charadrius dubius). The work will stop the deepening of the riverbed and stabilize or raise the groundwater level. This benefits the floodplains and their inhabitants, and flood protection is also improved.
Species conservation measures are also given high priority in the LIFE Lech project. These are concerned with the dwarf bulrush Typha minima, crayfish (stone crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium, jackdaw crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes), small fish (bullhead, minnow Phoxinus phoxinus), bird species of the gravel banks (sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, little ringed plover), insects and spiders of the gravel banks (e.g. red-winged flycatcher Psophus stridulus, spotted snail Bryodema tuberculata). Psophus stridulus, Bryodema tuberculata), amphibians (great crested newt Triturus cristatus, tree frog Hyla arborea, natterjack toad Epidalea calamita) and dragonflies (Bilek's damselfly Coenagrion hylas). In order to be able to implement these measures in a targeted manner, a variant study will be carried out at the beginning of the project.
The project is accompanied by a monitoring program. It deals with the morphological development of the river and the target species. The actual condition and the condition of the measure stretches after the implementation are examined.
Information about the project must not be neglected - a homepage about the project, printed materials, excursions, action days, a traveling exhibition, visitor support in the nature park house and a film round off the project.
Project data:
