Animals as a tool for restoring wetlands and floodplains

Animals as a tool for restoring wetlands and floodplains

DREVO Living Wetlands Fauna Recovery Three-Step System

Concept

Restoration of a marshy area cannot be completed solely by constructing water retention structures and planting vegetation.

A complete ecosystem is formed thanks to the activities of animals, which:

loosen and mix the soil;

spread seeds;

regulate vegetation;

create microrelief;

recycle organic matter;

form food chains;

control the number of insects and small animals;

create new habitats.

But animals can't simply be released into degraded areas. They are reintroduced gradually, only after the hydrology has been restored and a sufficient food supply has been created.

A three-stage system is proposed:

controlled biological preparation of the territory by pigs;

settlement and attraction of birds;

the return of diversity of domestic, semi-wild and wild animals.

The main principle:

First, the water and habitat are restored, then animals are introduced that match its carrying capacity.

Preparatory stage - before the animals appear

Before introducing pigs, birds or other animals, some basic work must be completed:

restore water balance;

close excess drainage channels;

create safe overflows;

identify zones of permanent and seasonal water;

remove toxic waste and hazardous scrap metal;

conduct an analysis of soil, water and bottom sediments;

isolate the natural core without intervention;

identify areas with rare plants and animal breeding sites;

create a buffer between the swamp and agricultural land;

establish the initial monitoring network.

Animals should not be used as a substitute for hydrological restoration. If the wetland continues to be drained or polluted, their activities will only increase the damage.

Stage 1. Controlled work of pigs

Purpose

Domestic pigs can be temporarily used as a biological tool to prepare individual areas of degraded floodplains.

When searching for roots and invertebrates they:

open up dense turf;

create areas of open soil;

stir the top layer;

destroy the monopoly grass stand;

form small depressions;

accelerate the decomposition of plant residues;

prepare places for seed germination;

can help remove the rhizomes of some unwanted plants.

Typical pig digging primarily affects the top centimeters of soil, but at high animal densities, damage quickly becomes excessive. The USDA notes a deterioration in soil structure, vegetation, and water quality with intensive pig digging.

Where pigs can be used

Acceptable areas:

abandoned agricultural floodplains;

dense monoculture grass stands;

areas overgrown with individual aggressive plants;

compacted former pastures;

areas of future wet meadows;

areas prepared for mosaic planting;

the periphery of the restored swamp.

Pigs are particularly useful where it is necessary to quickly create a mosaic surface without continuous mechanical processing.

Where pigs cannot be used

Launch is not allowed:

into the natural core of the swamp;

on the remaining peat bogs;

to spring areas;

directly into the stream beds;

to spawning grounds;

to the breeding grounds of amphibians;

in nesting areas of land birds;

on unstable or erosion-prone shores;

to areas with rare plants;

in areas of fresh plantings;

into contaminated soils;

into swampy areas where animals can get stuck;

in drinking water supply areas.

In salt marshes and soft coastal wetlands, pig impacts can fragment vegetation and slow its recovery.

What kind of pigs are suitable?

Only controlled domestic animals are used.

Preferred qualities:

calm temperament;

small or medium size;

good adaptability to pasture maintenance;

absence of excessively heavy mass;

possibility of working with mobile fencing;

veterinary traceability.

The following are not permitted to be used:

feral pigs;

uncontrolled hybrids with wild boar;

animals of unknown origin;

sick or untested animals;

sows with piglets in difficult terrain;

aggressive producers without a separate maintenance regime.

Sector system

The territory is divided into small temporary sectors.

Indicative pilot model:

This is not a set standard for animal density. Actual load is determined by soil conditions, weather, animal weight, and the rate of formation of exposed soil.

Work is terminated before the scheduled date if:

the surface becomes excessively dug up;

a continuous mud area appears;

the turbidity of the runoff increases;

peat is damaged;

vegetation disappears;

animals concentrate near water;

an odor or accumulation of manure occurs.

Mobile infrastructure

The following are used for control:

portable electric fencing;

double outer line of defense;

mobile shelters;

portable feeders;

drinking bowls on a solid base;

mobile transitions;

cameras;

GPS tags;

soil moisture and condition sensors.

Food, water and shelter are regularly moved to prevent animals from destroying one location.

Drinking bowls must not be installed directly near the shore or in a spring.

Manure and water quality management

An overabundance of animals can cause:

supply of nitrogen and phosphorus;

microbiological contamination;

eutrophication;

deterioration of water quality;

spread of parasites.

Therefore, the following is provided:

minimum animal density;

short periods of stay;

prohibition of access to an open channel;

plant filter belt;

control of nitrates, phosphates and bacteria;

transfer of feeding and rest;

rest period after treatment.

Expected result of the first stage

After the pigs are removed, the area should have:

mosaic areas of open soil;

preserved islands of former vegetation;

small depressions;

intact water channels;

absence of deep ruts;

absence of continuous erosion;

no water pollution.

After this the following are performed:

reseeding of native plants;

scattering hay from donor meadows;

planting shrubs;

installation of wood and stones;

protection of individual areas from repeated exposure;

control of natural regeneration.

Stage 2. Returning and attracting birds

The term "bird launching" should be used with caution.

For most wild birds, the correct strategy isdo not release them artificially, but create habitats, after which they will populate the territory naturally.

In European projects, restoration of water regimes, shallow waters, wet meadows, islands, mowing and grazing regimes led to a noticeable increase in the number of nesting and migratory birds.

Preparing the environment for birds

Created:

open shallow waters;

seasonal shallows;

wet meadows;

islands without land predators;

reed and sedge shelters;

trees and dead wood for perching;

sand and gravel areas;

floating islands;

calm deep bowls;

areas without permanent human presence.

A mosaic is needed because different birds require opposite conditions.

Functional groups of birds

Birds of wet meadows

Functions:

insect consumption;

seed transfer;

participation in food chains;

indicator of the quality of open floodplain habitats.

They need:

low vegetation;

moist soil;

seasonal puddles;

lack of a dense wooden wall;

control of terrestrial predators.

Waterfowl

Functions:

transfer of seeds and invertebrates;

redistribution of organic matter;

participation in the dynamics of aquatic vegetation.

They need:

open water;

shallow waters;

islands;

quiet relaxation areas;

natural food base.

Insectivorous birds

Functions:

regulation of insect populations;

individual pest control;

support of food chains.

They need:

shrubs;

reed edges;

old trees;

dead wood;

absence of insecticides.

Birds of prey

Functions:

rodent control;

control of weak and sick animals;

maintaining the balance of the food web.

The following are created for them:

high perches;

old trees;

quiet areas;

open hunting areas.

They cannot be artificially concentrated near colonies of rare nesting birds without assessing the consequences.

Poultry

On the economic periphery the following can be used:

ducks;

geese;

chickens;

guinea fowl;

turkeys.

Their functions:

control of individual invertebrates;

processing of part of plant biomass;

fertilization of farm plots;

product formation.

But poultry should not be allowed to freely enter the natural core.

Risks:

transmission of diseases to wild birds;

coastal erosion;

eating amphibians;

eutrophication;

competition;

eating rare plants;

attracting predators.

A sanitary buffer is provided between the commercial poultry and wild bird zones.

Artificial release of wild birds

Only allowed within the official program:

reintroduction;

restoration of the extinct population;

release of rehabilitated animals;

scientific breeding of a rare species.

Required:

permissions;

veterinary control;

genetic testing;

compliance with the local population;

assessment of the food supply;

post-release control;

program shutdown plan.

You can't buy birds and release them for a quick visual effect.

Stage 3: Reintroducing Animal Diversity

The third stage begins only after:

the water regime has been stabilized;

vegetation was formed;

insects and invertebrates have recovered;

natural birds appeared;

there are shelters;

there is a network of ecological corridors;

the water meets sanitary requirements.

Animals are introduced not simultaneously, but in functional groups.

Group 1. Domestic herbivores

For controlled grazing the following can be used:

cattle of resistant breeds;

water buffalo in suitable climates;

horses;

pony;

donkeys;

sheep;

goats only on the drier periphery.

Functions:

maintaining wet meadows;

control of shrub overgrowth;

creation of vegetation of different heights;

trampling of individual small areas;

seed transfer.

Well-managed grazing and mowing are used in wetland and bird habitat restoration programs.

Why can't you use one type?

Different herbivores affect vegetation in different ways:

Mixing animals can create a large mosaic, but only with separate seasonal management.

Group 2. Small mammals

Natural return is supported through:

areas of tall grass;

shrubs;

raindrop;

dry elevations;

unplowed buffers;

absence of rodenticides;

safe road crossings.

Small mammals become a food source for:

owl;

diurnal birds of prey;

fox;

kunyih;

snake.

They usually do not need to be released artificially.

Group 3. Amphibians and reptiles

For amphibians the following are created:

fishless seasonal reservoirs;

shallow waters;

damp forest shelters;

underpasses;

gentle banks;

dead wood;

wintering areas.

For reptiles you need:

dry islands;

stone ridges;

sunny slopes;

tree debris;

flood-safe elevations.

The transfer of amphibians is carried out only under official programs and after disease testing.

Group 4. Fish and aquatic organisms

Fish are released only into permanent bodies of water connected to the natural river system.

Not all wetland bowls need to contain fish.

Saved:

deep fish zones;

fishless water bodies for amphibians;

shellfish areas;

reservoirs with different flow rates.

Only local species and genetically appropriate populations are used.

Group 5. Beavers

Where beaver is a natural species, it can become a key ecosystem engineer.

His activities create:

dams;

ponds;

shallow waters;

flooded forests;

channels;

dead wood;

shelters for fish and amphibians.

But the release of beavers is only permissible after an assessment:

risk of road flooding;

influence on fields;

bridge stability;

availability of tree food;

conflicts with the population;

Possibility of regulating the water level.

In conflict areas, beaver dams are used instead of the animals themselves.

Group 6. Otters and other predators

Otters usually return on their own if:

the water is clean;

there is fish;

there are quiet shores;

there are shelters;

there are no dangerous traps;

connections with other rivers have been maintained.

The artificial release of predators without a sustainable food supply is unacceptable.

Group 7. Large wild herbivores

In large areas the following is possible:

deer;

roe deer;

moose;

wild boars;

other local species.

Their presence is regulated through:

area of ​​accessible territory;

natural predators;

hunting department;

protection of young plantings;

ecological corridors;

fencing of agricultural plots.

Wild boar should not be used as a tool for controlled restoration. Their numbers are difficult to manage, and damage to wetlands and watersheds can be significant.

Group 8. Top-level predators

Return:

wolf;

lynxes;

jackal;

large birds of prey

possible only in a large-scale connected landscape.

Predators:

regulate the number of herbivores;

change the behavior of animals;

reduce constant grazing in one area;

support natural selection.

They cannot be introduced into a small enclosed swamp pilot.

Sequence of the third stage

Stage 3.1 – Invertebrates and Amphibians

Predominantly natural settlement.

Stage 3.2 - Managed Herbivores

Seasonal grazing in separate areas.

Stage 3.3 – fish and aquatic organisms

Only in prepared permanent reservoirs.

Stage 3.4 – Ecosystem Engineers

Beavers and other species - after risk assessment.

Stage 3.5 – Natural return of predators

Without artificial acceleration, unless there is an official reintroduction program.

Veterinary safety

All domestic and released animals undergo:

identification;

quarantine;

clinical examination;

parasite control;

vaccination according to regional requirements;

checking for communicable diseases;

registration of movements.

Particular attention is paid to preventing the exchange of diseases between:

domestic pigs and wild boars;

domestic and wild birds;

domestic cattle and wild ruminants;

farmed and wild fish.

Genetic safety

You cannot release:

alien subspecies;

agricultural hybrids into the wild;

animals of unknown origin;

fish from another catchment area;

artificially bred forms capable of interbreeding with rare local populations.

Priority:

natural settlement;

local genetic lines;

official nature conservation nurseries;

documented origin.

Zone system

Zone 1 - Natural Core

no pets;

minimum attendance;

natural fauna.

Zone 2 - Managed Recovery

temporary work of pigs;

landings;

mowing;

controlled grazing.

Zone 3 - wet meadows

cattle;

horses;

sheep;

seasonal mode.

Zone 4 - economic periphery

poultry;

forage crops;

infrastructure;

veterinary services.

Zone 5 - ecological corridor

free movement of wild animals;

lack of permanent fences;

safe crossings.

Animals and young plantings

After the first stage, pigs and large herbivores are excluded from the planting areas until the trees and shrubs have taken root.

Used:

personal protective nets;

temporary fencing;

thorny shrub barriers;

tree debris;

planting in dense groups;

grazing rotation.

The USDA recommends temporarily excluding grazing from restoration areas until the soil stabilizes and vegetation becomes established.

Living Mountain Observatory

The system controls:

position of animals;

duration of stay in the sector;

vegetation condition;

proportion of open soil;

water turbidity;

nitrogen and phosphorus;

seed dispersal;

number of birds;

reproduction of amphibians;

conflicts between species;

veterinary risks.

Used:

GPS collars;

camera trap;

acoustic stations;

drones;

eDNA analysis;

water sensors;

satellite images;

River Rover Scout.

Criteria for transition between stages

The transition from pigs to birds

Allowed if:

erosion has stopped;

at least the share of vegetation cover established by the project has been restored;

the water is not polluted;

open and closed areas are formed;

insects appeared;

islands and shallow waters were created.

The transition from birds to animal diversity

Allowed if:

birds use the territory for several seasons;

natural reproduction is present;

stable plant communities have been formed;

the water is suitable for aquatic fauna;

there are ecological corridors;

The bearing capacity of the territory has been determined.

Estimated duration of the stages

In a small area, individual processes will proceed more quickly, but a mature food web cannot be created in one season.

What not to do

The following is not allowed:

release a large herd of pigs throughout the swamp;

use wild boars instead of managed domestic pigs;

leave the pigs until the vegetation cover is completely destroyed;

allow animals directly to springs;

release domestic ducks and geese into the natural core;

purchase wild birds for ornamental release;

populate all bodies of water with fish;

release predators before the food supply is formed;

mix local and foreign genetic lines;

introduce animals without veterinary control;

consider the number of animals released as an indicator of success;

continue grazing if turbidity, erosion or water pollution increases.

Improved DREVO model

The correct sequence looks like this:

Stage 0

Water, relief and vegetation.

Stage 1

Short-term managed work of domestic pigs in selected degraded sectors.

Stage 2

Habitat creation and natural return of birds; release only in official programs.

Stage 3

Seasonal introduction of domestic herbivores and gradual natural repopulation with local fauna.

Stage 4

The return of ecosystem engineers and predators only after the formation of a stable food web.

Mission

Animals in the systemDREVO Living MountainsThey are not merely a decorative addition to the restored swamp. They become its working participants.

Pigs can temporarily restore degraded areas. Birds recirculate seeds, insects, and nutrients. Herbivores maintain a mosaic of meadows. Beavers create water and woody habitats. Predators regulate animal populations.

But this system only works when each animal is introduced:

at the right time;

in the right place;

in limited quantities;

after restoring the environment;

under constant environmental and veterinary control.

The project's goal is not to repopulate the swamp with animals, but to restore conditions in which natural diversity can return and sustain itself.