Last updated: October 2021
The aim of Ljubljanica Connects funded by Life+ is to improve connectivity between Natura 2000 sites. Started in 2012, the project aims to remove barriers to fish migration, enhance and restore habitats, improve water management infrastructures, and put in place a water monitoring system. This will restore the river Ljubljanica's function as a corridor, improve water management and so provide better links between Natura 2000 sites. The fish species in question are Danube Roach, Danube Salmon and Striped Chub (2).
Katedra za Splošno Hidrotehniko, Univerze v Ljubljani.
http://ksh.fgg.uni-lj.si/ljubljanicaconnects/ANG/default.htm
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Key challenges
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
Focus
Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Project objectives
The aim of the project was to improve the transitivity and connectivity of Natura 2000 sites, by restoring the functionality of the Ljubljanica corridor connecting two Natura 2000 sites, i.e. Ljubljansko barje (Ljubljana Marshes) and Sava–Medvode–Kresnice. Additionally, the project objective is to promote relatively simple river restoration measures for improving the ecological status of the river to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. The project also aims to raise the awareness of the general public, local stakeholders and decision-makers at the local and national levels. (1 and 4)
Implementation activities
Throughout the duration of the project, ecohydrological monitoring on 17 newly constructed water stations was performed and discharge was measured with HydroSurveyor system. The impact of the measures was evaluated using the data collected with fish migration monitoring. Fish harvest was performed in cooperation with fishers, and then fish was measured and tagged before releasing into the water. The reconstructions of the sill and two fish passes on the Ljubljanica River have been implemented and the barrier's lifting system on the weir was modernized. Above the sill, in Zalog there is an oxbow which was disconnected from the main river channel during the low flows. The interrupted inflow of freshwater caused very poor living conditions for animals in the oxbow. (2 and 4)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Preserve and strengthen habitat connectivity
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
- Means for conservation governance
- Biodiversity offsets
- Raise public awareness
- Public engagement
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore valued species
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Researchers/University
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Private sector/corporate actor/company
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering of the University of Ljubljana designed the project, applied for it for the EU funds and implemented it with its partners. Partners are:
-The GEATEH d.o.o. is a company that is commercially active in the fields of environmental protection, hydropower and urban infrastructure, i.e. from planning to execution, while providing project management services. Today the company employs nine staff members.
- The PURGATOR d.o.o. Company was founded in 2006. The main activity of the company is implementation engineering of wastewater treatment plants (design, construction and management, and other civil engineering works). (3)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(Nature 2000, Water Framework Directive (5))
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Vision Ljubljana 2025, the strategy mentions the need to protect the habitat of the river.)
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- EU funds
- Public national budget
- Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Environmental quality
- Improved soil quality
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Increased protection against flooding
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
Yes
References
1. Oppla case study (n.d.) Ljubljana: Nature-based Solutions (NBS) for Urban Regeneration and Wellbeing. available at Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
2. Zabret, Katarina (2014) Project Abstract - ADS Abstract. available at Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
3. Katedra za Splošno Hidrotehniko (n.d.) Project Website - Ljubljanica Connects. Univerze v Ljubljani. available at Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
4. Katedra za Splošno Hidrotehniko (2013) Project Promotional Flyer. Univerze v Ljubljani. available at Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
5. European Commission (2014) Project Description - Ljubljanica Connects. available at Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
6. Katedra za Splošno Hidrotehniko (2016) LAYMAN'S REPORT for the project LJUBLJANICA CONNECTS. Univerze v Ljubljani. available on Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
2. Zabret, Katarina (2014) Project Abstract - ADS Abstract. available at Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
3. Katedra za Splošno Hidrotehniko (n.d.) Project Website - Ljubljanica Connects. Univerze v Ljubljani. available at Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
4. Katedra za Splošno Hidrotehniko (2013) Project Promotional Flyer. Univerze v Ljubljani. available at Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
5. European Commission (2014) Project Description - Ljubljanica Connects. available at Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
6. Katedra za Splošno Hidrotehniko (2016) LAYMAN'S REPORT for the project LJUBLJANICA CONNECTS. Univerze v Ljubljani. available on Source link. accessed on 3rd November, 2020.
Katedra za Splošno Hidrotehniko, Univerze v Ljubljani.
http://ksh.fgg.uni-lj.si/ljubljanicaconnects/Data/Laymans%20report_Ljubljanica_KONCNO.pdf