LIFE+ Traisen: Success of the project
The new Traisen river is now also the connection to the Danube through which fish can pass unhindered. It is free from obstacles and has a natural design. The main objective of the project was to improve the habitat situation in this part of the European conservation area “Tullnerfelder Au”.
Projektgebiet Traisen
Das LIFE+ Projekt setzte Maßnahmen im Bereich zwischen der Donau und dem ehemals errichteten Traisen-Kanal um und schuf dort auf ca. 10 km Länge einen gänzlich neuen Traisen-Fluss mit umgebenden Uferzonen und einer großen Mündungszone an der Donau. Rund um das Kraftwerk Altenwörth wurde das Wasser der Traisen in dieses neue Flussbett umgeleitet. Das alte Gerinne blieb zur Entlastung bei großen Hochwässern und als Stillgewässer bestehen. Das LIFE+ Projekt erschuf den NEUEN Traisen- Unterlauf, der keine Revitalisierung eines alten Flussabschnitts ist, sondern eine Neuschaffung von dynamischen Fluss- und Au-Lebensraum.
New flowing waterbody
The creation of the new, 10 km-long, meandering Traisen river with dynamic banks and intensive interplay of water and land is complete and should continue developing dynamically and naturally. New running water habitats covering approximately 30 ha (under mean-flow conditions) were created.
Flood zones covering an area of 60 ha were actively created on the new river. They are the location of the priority habitat for the silver willow wetland, which is part of FFH type 91E0*. These riparian forests are typical of the area. According to the experts, the young riparian forests are developing very well and will eventually achieve their typical form. Willows and poplars established themselves independently on the new bank zones and enrich these typical river habitats in the Natura 2000 area by around 5%
Flood zones covering an area of 60 ha were actively created on the new river. They are the location of the priority habitat for the silver willow wetland, which is part of FFH type 91E0*. These riparian forests are typical of the area. According to the experts, the young riparian forests are developing very well and will eventually achieve their typical form. Willows and poplars established themselves independently on the new bank zones and enrich these typical river habitats in the Natura 2000 area by around 5%
Neue Auweiher
Stillgewässer sind entlang der neuen Traisen und im benachbarten Augebiet angelegt worden. Es handelt sich um größere Gewässer, sogenannte Auweiher, mit natürlichen Uferzonen aber auch um Amphibienzonen mit seichten und temporären Wasserflächen. Insgesamt führten die Arbeiten zur Bereicherung der Gewässervielfalt im Augebiet im Ausmaß von 15 Hektar.
Fischfreundliche Maßnahmen
Das Projekt stellte mit der neuen Traisen eine fischpassierbare Vernetzung her, die heute das Augebiet und seine vielfältigen Gewässer, den Traisen-Fluss und die Donau miteinander verbindet. Es besteht eine dauerhafte Fischpassierbarkeit ohne Hindernisse im neuen Traisen-Fluss. Die damit verbunden Fischwanderungen und die Verbesserungen des Fischbestandes strahlen auch auf die Fischfauna der Donau nachhaltig aus. Bis 2019 haben bereits 39 autochtone Fischarten, darunter 11 FFH Anhang II Arten die Habitate angenommen. Die Arten wanderten nicht nur in den neuen Flussabschnitt ein, sondern vermehrten sich auch in der neuen Traisen.
Pressemeldung zum Fisch-Monitoring Late summer impressions of the Traisen
Meadows and dry areas
The project also resulted in a permanent improvement in the conservation status of typical meadowscapes in the wetland area. These natural meadows, which are designated as dry grasslands, belong to flora-fauna habitat type 6210* and are now available to many rare types of fauna and flora on an area of 30 hectares.
The project battled unwanted plants, so-called neophytes, on an area of 25 hectares in the new section of river and on the meadows with lasting success. Naturally, only mechanical methods were used. This way, the goldenrod could be almost entirely removed from the meadows.
The project battled unwanted plants, so-called neophytes, on an area of 25 hectares in the new section of river and on the meadows with lasting success. Naturally, only mechanical methods were used. This way, the goldenrod could be almost entirely removed from the meadows.
Maintenance and upkeep
As all ecological effects and the natural dynamics also had to be ensured on a permanent basis, agreements were concluded on tolerance and on permanent maintenance measures. Most measures took place on third-party land, so the land owners were compensated for various pecuniary disadvantages. That was the basis for implementing the project. This financing was processed without the utilisation of LIFE monies.
The river landscape will now continue to develop naturally and undisturbed. Nature itself can create new habitats and change old ones. The positive ecological consequences of the new Traisen can be felt far beyond the project’s limits and are sustainably effective.
