Preserving and restoring floodplain forest habitats along the Mura-Drava-Danube Rivers

Project title: Preserving and restoring floodplain forest habitats along the Mura-Drava-Danube Rivers (LIFE-2022-SAP-NAT-NATURE, 101113557)

Project acronym: LIFE RESTORE FOR MDD

Project duration: from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2028

Project coordinator: WWF Austria

FAZOS Project team leader: Prof. Dr. Siniša Ozimec

Total project budget: 20 024 000,14 EUR

FAZOS budget: 197 117,97 EUR

Project web site: https://www.amazon-of-europe.com/

Info leaflet (pdf) LINK

Project description:

The 'LIFE RESTORE for MDD' project is a joint initiative of Austria,Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia to preserve and restore the largest contiguous riparian forests in the UNESCO Five-country Transboundary Biosphere Reserve „Mura-Drava- Danube“, also known as the 'Amazon of Europe'. The project,is being implemented by 17 partners from all five countries, and it significantly contributes to the achievement of the goals of the European Green Plan, the EU Biodiversity Strategy until 2030 and Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 on Nature Restoration. Restoration measures are planned at 29 locations along the three Rivers, in 17 Natura 2000 areas. Project tasks comprising: reconnecting degraded river branches, widening river beds, revitalisation of oxbow lakes, creation pf the favourable conditions for the floodplain forests, which are recognised as valuable for biodiversity conservation,  and removal of invasive alien species. The restoration measures are supported by comprehensive public relations work, environmental education and continuous monitoring of nature. FAZOS is involved in biodiversity monitoring od wild fauna, flora and habitats in the flooded forests along Bjelobrdska oxbow lake. Under the restoration of Bjelobrdska oxbow lake it is planned to restore 65 ha of the water body and improve the hydrological connection and structure of floodplain forest habitats on 193 ha.