Environment and Infrastructure
Biodiversity

Le projet en bref

Contexte	Under natural conditions, oxbows are part of a dynamic process, with old oxbows being slowly overgrown and new oxbows being created. However, as a consequence of river flow regulation and flood protection measures in the past, this natural process is no longer possible and no new oxbows are created any more. Many of the existing oxbows of the Vistula River suffer from deteriorating conditions. Regulations carried out in the 20th century made the Upper Vistula River Valley losing its natural character. The river bed was straightened out, meanders were crossed by levees. Undeniably, the lack of public awareness of nature values and importance of oxbows (for some of the Vistula communes they are the last "oases of biodiversity") contributes to their destruction. Only in the last two years in Oświęcim district three oxbows were destroyed (dumped/buried), including one with habitat of water chestnut Trapa natans (endangered species in Poland). In order to maintain their important role in the functioning of the local eco-systems, numerous oxbows need to be revitalized.
Objectifs	The goals of the project are to maintain and increase biodiversity of the Vistula oxbows, promote popularization of oxbows natural values by increasing the interests in the Vistula River valley as a recreation place and at the same time increasing the awareness of the necessity of its protection.
Groupes cibles	Local communities, local public authorities, education institutions as well as tourists
Activités	The project will finance revitalization of 15 oxbows and some water engineering related measures, such as deepening of the reservoir, mud removal and renovation of the water sluice, reconstruction of the culverts, tree planting and remove of litter. The project will finance also a detailed nature inventory in the Vistula River valley and awareness building activities directed at local inhabitants and the general public.
Résultats	Résultats obtenus:   80.5 ha where on-the-ground protection and/or restoration measures have been completed 16 oxbows revitalised High-quality data for ecosystems and biodiversity monitoring available for 29.6 ha High-quality inventory data  on ecosystems and biodiversity available for 742.4 ha 125 m3 waste removed from oxbows and 3 water swamp species displaced/reintroduced 1 field inventory conducted 36 domestic study tours with 260 participants; 155 lectures with more than 1800 participants, 20 workshops with 752 participants and 3 conferences contributed to raising the awareness of target groups 15 educational paths with a total length of 92 km
Direction/office fédéral responsable	DDC
Crédit	Contribution suisse à l'UE élargie
Partenaire de projet	Partenaire contractuel Institution étatique étrangère National State Institute North
Budget	Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    923’500 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    922’428
Phases du projet	Phase 1 01.04.2012 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)

Détails techniques supplémentaires

• Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE	Non Affecté / Non Specifié
  Sous-Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE	Secteur non spécifié
  Thème transversal	Le projet est axé sur la promotion de la biodiversité.
  Type d'aide	Contribution à l'élargissement
  Numéro de projet	7F07723