Conservation measures
Since the endemic soft-mouthed trout is widespread in a very limited area (in the EU it lives only in Croatia), it is threatened by any negative change in the watercourses it inhabits. Threats to its survival are the regulation and subdivision of watercourses, poaching, introduction of invasive alien fish species, excessive use of pesticides in agriculture, reduced quality and slowed water flow. Habitat degradation caused by human influence and habitat fragmentation, rapidly reduces the resilience and survival rate of soft-mouthed trout populations to the pressures encountered on a daily basis.
The project activities are focused on restoring habitats and soft-mouthed trout populations in the rivers Jadro and Vrljika, which are one of the last remaining habitats of this species. One of the main conservation measures is to ensure longitudinal connectivity of river ecosystems through the removal of artificial barriers or enabling their passability for undisturbed downstream and upstream movement of fish species.
Other conservation measures are: restoration and maintenance of coastal vegetation with native species, removal and control of invasive alien fish species, control of macrophytes and achieving stability and sustainability of soft-mouthed trout populations.
Monitoring and evaluation
The implementation of the key objectives of the project will be monitored:
- hydromorphological parameters and conditions,
- physico-chemical parameters.
- the number of invasive alien species,
- distribution, diversity and sustainability of soft-mouthed trout,
- fish migrations,
- socio-economic effects of the project and impacts on the local community,
- activities of raising awareness of the project and dissemination of information,
- effects on the remaining target Natura 2000 species,
- restoration of coastal vegetation
- macrophytic vegetation control.
Monitoring will be carried out twice a year and annual reports will be prepared based on the results obtained.
Milestones and deliverables
LIST OF MILESTONES
- Developing project implementation manual
- Technical documentation with permits for the removal / adjustment of barriers
- Procurement procedure for works of removal / adjustment of barriers concluded
- Map of barriers on river ecosystems in Croatia
- Priority list of barriers to be removed/adjusted
- Performed training on the use of citizen science tool and sharing knowledge on the Map of barriers
- Report from meetings of the Comission for fish passes
- Socio-economic profiles of local communities chosen at both Jadro and Vrljika River sites
- Project pages on participants web sites
- Kick off conference attended
- Developed digital content
- Final conference organised
LIST OF DELIVERABLES
Work Package 1 - Project management and coordination
D1.1 – Partnership agreement
D1.2 – LIFE KPI webtool First Snapshot (within project progress report mid-term)
D1.3 – LIFE KPI webtool Final Snapshot (within Final report)
D1.4 – Audit report
D1.5 – AfterLIFE Plan
D1.6 – Progress report
Work Package 2 - To improve degree of conservation of Salmo obtusirostris through improvement of river connectivity and implementation of other conservation measures in 2 Natura 2000 sites
D2.1 – Protocol for the renovation and maintenance of riparian vegetation
D2.2 – Report on the performed control of the spread of alien species on river Jadro and Vrljika
D2.3 – Macrophyte control plan
D2.4 – Report from the engineer supervising works of removal / adjustment of barriers
D2.5 – Report on renovated riparian vegetation on river Jadro and Vrljika
D2.6 – Report on chosen solutions blocking pathways of introduction of alien species
D2.7 – Report on the performed control of macrophyte vegetation
D2.8 – Reports from S. Obtusirostris Populations supported spawning
Work Package 3 - To increase knowledge base and assess impact of barriers on Natura 2000 target species and habitats and prioritize removal/adjusting of barriers
D3.1 – Desk-based Map of barriers
D3.2 – Barrier Tracker app – launched and downloadable
D3.3 – Guidelines for improvement of degree of conservation of species and habitats by supporting river ecosystem connectivity and other conservation measures” – IMPROVE RIVER LIFE Guidelines
Work Package 4 - Sustainability, replication, and exploitation of project results
D4.1 – Report from workshops - Stimulating local community – Agriculture
D4.2 – IMPROVING RIVER LIFE through agriculture - handbook
D4.3 – Report from workshops - Stimulating local community – fishermen, aquaculture
D4.4 – IMPROVING RIVER LIFE - fisheries best practices collection
D4.5 – Report from workshops - Stimulating local community – General public
D4.6 – Report from the workshop - Technical sharing and training of Protocol for the renovation and maintenance of riparian vegetation
D4.7 – Training and Technical sharing of gained knowledge through the IMPROVE RIVER LIFE Guidelines
D4.8 – Ordinances on protection and preservation of the 2 ichthyological reserves
D4.9 – Draft key elements of call for proposals
D4.10 – List of members of Commission for Fish Passes
Work Package 5 - Impact monitoring
D5.1 – Final report on the hydromorphological state of Vrljika and Jadro rivers
D5.2 – Final report on the status and viability of S. obtusirostris in the Vrljika and Jadro Rivers
D5.3 – Final report on socio-economic effects and effects on the local community
D5.4 – Final report of the socio-economic effects and effects on the local community
D5.5 – Report with results of both surveys (National and Split- Dalmatia County) and the discussion of the results
D5.6 – Final report on the physico-chemical characters and its changes during the project implementation
D5.7 – Final report on the riparian vegetation restoration monitoring
D5.8 – Final report on the monitoring of macrophyte evolution.
Work Package 6 - Visibility and dissemination
D6.1 – Project communication strategy and visual identity
D6.2 – Layman’s report
D6.3 – Public awareness campaign and volunteer campaign – “IMPROVE SARNI LIFE
D6.4 – Report from study visits in Sweden and Czech Republic
Public awareness and visibility
We would like to introduce the general and interested public to the LIFE programme, raise awareness of the Natura 2000 ecological network and the threat of soft-mouthed trout. We focus on introducing the public to the topic of the importance of river connectivity and the contribution of a "healthy", free flowing river to improving the degree of conservation of species and habitats.
Croatia is the only country of the European Union where the soft-mouthed trout lives and we have a special responsibility for its preservation. We would like to educate the inhabitants of Split-Dalmatia County, the entire Croatia and the wider region, so that by their inclusion in sustainable management of natural resources, they can directly help in our efforts to preserve soft-mouthed trout. Any interested individual can contribute to this by avoiding pollution with pesticides and artificial fertilizers, restoring and maintaining native coastal vegetation, avoiding the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, supporting their removal and control, and supporting the removal and adaptation of artificial water barriers, as well as not supporting the construction of new ones.
The general public will be involved through the media, social networks and project websites, various communication activities, organized events, and promotional materials. The interested public will be able to actively contribute to nature conservation by participating in the volunteer campaign "IMPROVE SARNI LIFE" within which simple measures will improve the condition of the Sarni stream in the Medvednica Nature Park.
Local residents will be informed and involved in the process of habitat restoration on their rivers through stakeholder workshops.