Conservation of the stone crayfish for reviving the river ecosystems

ongoing

A specific objective of the LIFE programme is to protect, conserve and enhance the EU's natural capital. The project aims to protect the stone crayfish, Austropotamobius torrentium* (Schrank, 1803) - a priority species, included in Annex II and Annex V of Habitats Directive, influencing freshwater ecosystems significantly. Conservation of the stone crayfish is reviving the river ecosystems, and vice versa, the revival of the river ecosystems is conservation of the stone crayfish. Based on the main threats for the species, the project objectives are: 1. Restore the connectivity of the species, reconnecting 26 ha of key stone crayfish habitats. 2. Increase the abundance of the stone crayfish to at least 10 individuals/100 m2 in at least three key locations for the species. 3. Raise awareness about the plight of the stone crayfish among stakeholders and local communities. 4. Build capacity and international collaborations to protect the stone crayfish. To achieve these objectives, the project has several work packages of activities: WP1 is designed to manage and control the implementation of the project and its partners. WP2 is designed to monitor and evaluate the effect, impact and results of the project. WP3 targets the threat of river continuity disruption and freshwater habitat degradation. WP4 aims to reinforce target weak populations with at least 500 stone crayfish individuals. WP5 targets the limited knowledge and capacity of the stakeholders and communities for the stone crayfish protection through conventional and unconventional educational and dissemination activities. WP7 will ensure the sustainability, exploitation and replication of the project results.