Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥

Monitoring the impact of the project actions will be carried out before, during and after the restoration measures (Concrete conservation actions) in restoration sites using the following approaches:

Monitoring status of freshwater pearl mussel populations

Method for monitoring FPM populations consists of various parameters such as the number and density of the freshwater pearl mussel (FPM) in the river, the size distribution of the population, the proportion of mussels with shell length < 2 and <5 cm and a habitat quality (e.g. current speed, depth, bottom substrate, human influence, etc.).

Shell Opening Resistance (SOR) measures the condition of FPM individuals based on observation that stressed individuals lose their ability to close their valves properly. SOR will provide cost-effectively information on the health and condition status of FPM populations, hence in the reproductive capacity, and indicates possible short-term changes in condition of the FPM populations.

Using dog to find new FPM populations: A dog will be trained during the project to find FPM from rivers. This method has been used earlier successfully in for example to find flying squirrels (Flying Squirrel LIFE)

Monitoring status of FPM habitats

Stream Inventory (SI) provides information on changes in the river basin, such as how much restoration work has increased juvenile breeding areas and shelters for FPM and Salmonids. The SI method is standardized, and variables like shape of the channel, type of flow, bottom grain size etc. are determined.

Redox measurements, using a redox potential (RP) device, are done to determine oxygen conditions of the interstitial water in the river bottom. By comparing the results of restored and non-restored areas, the success of the restoration and the suitability of habitats for FPM juveniles can be assessed.

Nail tests are another way of determining the oxygen conditions in the bottom gravel/interstitial water. Iron nails are submerged into gravel and the amount of rust observed on the nails after a month is determined. The rustier the nail, the more oxygen there is in the bottom. Nail tests provide information on the oxygen changes in the bottom sediment in the restored and non-restored areas, complement the RP measurements, but provide information on the oxygen conditions of the base much deeper than RP.

Drone equipped with various cameras and GPS, is a great tool to use for purpose when the rivers are wider or have sparse tree coverage. The drone will be used to photograph the different river stretches from above before and after the restorations to visualise the outcome of the measurements.

Underminer/Deflector effect as a modifier of the diversity of the physical conditions (width, depth, flow rate, bottom particle distribution, vegetation, etc.) of riverbed will be investigated. The purpose is to supplement and produce more detailed information to evaluate the results of the Stream Inventory.

Monitoring status of salmonid populations

Electrofishing in autumn is carried out to estimate the status the FPMs host fish and will also show if the restoration measures have a positive effect on the fish populations. In the long run, it can be assumed that increased salmonid fish density also means an improvement in FPM habitat conditions and water quality. Electrofishing in spring is done to observe the gills of salmonids for FPM larvae, glochidia, which would be expected to be released to the river in the coming summer as a juvenile FPM. This will give an estimate recruitment status of the FPM population.

Spawning beds, restored in Concrete conservation actions, will be observed for possible use by salmonids: it is possible to see either spawning fishes or traces of spawning fishes.

Monitoring captivity bred, reintroduced FPM juveniles

Condition of reintroduced juveniles, taken in rivers in hole plates and gravel boxes, is monitored at least once a year. Plates and boxes are cleaned simultaneously.

Redox measurements and Nail test are used for monitoring of experimental kindergartens and the areas in which the juveniles have been reintroduced after breeding and maintenance in captivity.

Gravel box experiments for survival monitoring: Experimental boxes, with gravel substrate specific for FPM juveniles, that have been placed on the river bottom for several years, are studied for possible natural settling of juveniles as well as oxygen conditions using redox measurements and nail tests.

Monitoring the water quality of restoration sites

Water samples for laboratory analyses will be taken from restoration sites. In addition, temperature loggers are placed in rivers to monitor water quality.

Evaluation of ecosystem benefits of the project

The evaluation will focus on estimating the improvement of riverine biodiversity and salmonid fish stocks, The data needed for the evaluation of the ecosystem benefits is gathered in monitoring practices presented above. In essence, this must be a continuous process providing sufficient time series data for sound interpretation of the impacts. However, final evaluation at the project level can be undertaken only at the end of the project. Post-project monitoring on the status of restored target areas and FPM populations will for its part guarantee sustainability of the project actions in the future.

Assessment of socio-economic impacts of the project

The assessment will be done by conducting a multifaceted survey among public. Although the ultimate objective of all concrete project actions is to improve conservation status of the target species and habitats, all conservation work, however, must be contextualized because it takes place in shared socioeconomic reality. Therefore, it is essential to translate specified goals and outcomes of the project into a more general level of communication.