Villewälder: LIFE+ Project for Kottenforst and Ville

Protection of natural ecosystems, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity

1. Restoration of the natural water balance: The occurrence of the oak-hornbeam forests is closely linked to special soil conditions, they can only survive if the soil is temporarily waterlogged. 2. Preservation & advancement of habitat trees, e.g. deadwood: Tree cavities, injures and damages at bark or crown are important micro-habitats for many forest-dwelling species. The project preserves habitat trees to integrate nature conservation objectives in forest management. 3. Increase and link of natural forest habitats: The existing natural forest habitats will be connected and a large and undivided natural forest area will be created. 4. Protection of amphibians: Construction of new ponds and connection of existing ones. 5. Restoration of species-rich lowland hay meadows that serve as refuge for plant and animal species upon which other animals rely. (2)

1. Partially close drainage ditches to ensure favourable living conditions for different tree species 2. Preparation of a hydrological report to analyze the water balance of the Kottenforst and to determine the action areas 3. Mapping the biotope wood (old-growth trees and deadwood), decision which single trees and groups are not to be used for timber production but would serve as a habitat for woodpeckers, bats or beetles (3) 4. Purchasing 48 hectares of private forests: old-growth deciduous forests with a great value for nature conservation and for conifer forests that have to be conversed to connect existing oak-hornbeam forests (3) 5. Re-establishment of the traditional forest management practice called 'Coppice with standards' that is a silvicultural system to benefit species on an area of 39 hectares (3) 6. Mapping of amphibian fauna of the forests and ponds to decide which ponds should be restored and where new ones have to be built. Creation and restoration of 70 ponds all together (3) 7. Enlargement of a selection 17 forest meadows to species-rich lowland hay meadows of a minimum area of 2000 m2. (3) 8. Selection of high potential grassland areas, cutting shadow trees, transferring hay from a species-rich donor meadow, sowing regional seeds, planting rare species (2, 3) 9. Documentation of 540 hydrological level measurements on 30 spots in the project area (8) 10. Documentation of 60 vegetation assessments (8) 11. Observation of bat species living in the Ville Forests prior and after conservation interventions (3) 12. The conversion of the non-native spruce and pine forests into oak-hornbeam forests (3).

• National-level government
• Non-government organisation/Civil Society
• Researchers/University
• Citizens or community groups