Restoration of peatlands in the Hannover Region

forthcoming

The main objective of the LIFE RePeat project is the restoration of near-natural water levels in three peatlands in the Hannover Region. The majority of Lower Saxony's peatlands (95 %) have already been completely destroyed and the few remaining peatlands are in a spiral of deterioration. The project aims at making a significant contribution to halting or even reversing this trend. It builds on an experienced interdisciplinary team in well-connected institutions and a broad network of official partners, which is supported by volunteers active in nature conservation. The project is divided into seven work packages. It will be implemented over a period of 10 years. The following goals are pursued: 1) Restoration of near-natural water levels on 1,044 ha in the raised bogs and fens of the Natura 2000 sites Altwarmbüchener Moor (DE-3525-331), Rehburger Moor (DE-3421-301) and Trunnenmoor (DE-3425-301) and the improvement in the degree of conservation of habitat types and species of the Habitats Directive in these areas. 2) Securing of land availability in the three peatland areas. 3) Enhancement of the biotope network of wet habitats in the Hannover Region, focussing on the enhancement of peatland and freshwater habitats and the target species crested newt, moor frog and common spadefoot toad. 4) Environmental education and sensitisation of the public to the topics of biodiversity, peatland protection, climate protection and landscape water management. The measures on over 1,800 hectares also make a significant contribution to climate protection, flood protection and groundwater recharge. LIFE RePeat builds on the experience of LIFE+ Hannoversche Moorgeest (LIFE 11/NAT/DE/344) and IP LIFE Atlantic Sand Landscapes (LIFE15 IPE/DE/007). It serves to implement the Priority Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 in the Federal Republic of Germany and is complementary to IP LIFE15 IPE/DE/007.