Restoring wild river ecosystems and turning grey solutions into Nature-based Solutions

Key Learnings

• Healthy ecosystems are the basis for building resilience against a changing climate.
• Benefits of river restoration: Revitalisation of rivers can promote biodiversity, improve flood protection for local communities and contribute to new locale activities.
• Stakeholder engagement: Involving an interdisciplinary project team, including engineers, the nature conservation department, NGOs and local stakeholders is important in a revitalisation process.
• Monitoring: It is important to monitor the post-project development since this can reveal new regional development opportunities and biodiversity improvements. Monitoring has shown that the numbers of two characteristic bird species have increased.

Summary

The LIFE Lech River restoration project exemplifies a comprehensive approach focusing on nature protection and climate change adaptation, providing community benefits. Healthy ecosystems are the basis for effective biodiversity and flood protection, benefitting local communities. Involving local stakeholders with experts from different disciplines ensures the best possible restoration outcome. Continuous post-project monitoring supports adaptive planning and maintains scientific interest, while nature-based tourism balances species protection and economic development.  

Contact

KLAR! Manager (KLAR! Climate Change Adaptation Model Region Lechtal-Reutte und Außerfern)

Organization / Contact: https://klar-anpassungsregionen.at/regionen/klar-ausserfern

Naturpark Tiroler Lech, E-Mail: infonaturpark-tiroler-lech [dot] at (info[at]naturpark-tiroler-lech[dot]at), Web: www.naturpark-tiroler-lech.at

Klimabündnis Tirol, Invest4Nature, E-Mail: sigrid [dot] mourits-andersenklimabuendnis [dot] at (sigrid[dot]mourits-andersen[at]klimabuendnis[dot]at)