Expected results and impacts
Concrete conservation and monitoring actions
We expect to improve the conservation status and/or achieve adequate recruitment of FPM ten years after the project, almost doubling the number of FPM populations with a favourable conservation status in the project countries. In total ca 117 km (80 ha) of river habitats suitable for FPM and salmonids will be restored, affecting around 2 400 ha of 3210 and 3260 habitat type areas determined Natura 2000 program. Hydrological restoration of catchment areas will affect ca 3 670 ha. Based on the restoration effects, impacts on FPM and salmonids and their habitats, water quality, as well as ecosystem services and socio-economic impacts will be assessed and quantified.
Operational FPM breeding stations will be established and running at Konnevesi Research Station (FIN) and in P玫lula fish farm (EST). Captivity-bred juvenile mussels will be released to nine project rivers, expecting 5 00020 000 new individuals reaching maturity after the project. This prevents the nine FPM populations from becoming extinct during the next decades.
Monitoring-based evidence of the restoration and captive breeding methods for later replication are attained. Based on this, and active public and scientific communication, conservation methodologies of FPM are improved and unified in Europe
Public awareness and dissemination of the project results
Increased commitment of the forestry sector and landowners, as well as capability of authorities in FPM conservation and management will be reached via meetings with local people, landowners, forestry management associations and fishing authorities. FPM and salmonid conservation methods and know-how for replication purposes will be transferred in national and international seminars. These activities will reach and influence the acts of over 8 000 stakeholders.
General public will be reached via communication by media briefings, social media, magazines and newspapers and project videos. There will also be a national webpage about FPM in Finland working as a knowledge-sharing platform for FPM conservation. In addition, school visits, courses and field trips for school children will be organized. Public dissemination is expected to reach over one million people.
Sustainability of the project results
The project is planned in a way that sustainability of restoration actions in target rivers is secured regardless of the protection status and land ownership. In Estonia and Sweden all target rivers, and in Finland 11 target rivers are located inside Natura 2000 sites, where sustainability of our results is guaranteed by the Habitats Directive and national legislation. In addition to Natura 2000 sites, the project only operates at sites where sustainability is agreed with the landowners.
Involvement and training of landowners and other stakeholders closely into the process raises the awareness and ensures their commitment to FPM conservation and to sustainable forestry and farming methods also after the project.
National FPM conservation strategy will determine the agendas and responsibilities in further conservation activities in each country; project results will increase capability to realize these strategies.
Monitoring the restored sites and status of their FPM populations and the success of re-introduced FPM juveniles, as well as captive breeding is continued by partners in each project country according to After-LIFE plan to be drawn up at the end of the project:聽After-LIFE conservation plan, including plans for conservation and monitoring measures as well as for funding, will ensure the sustainability of the project achievements and results also after the project.