The sub-project 'Brualer Schloot'
There is no direct link between the water systems in the northwest of Niedersachsen and the north-east of the Netherlands. Linkage of water systems would be especially beneficial to the otter (genus Lutra), a species that is promoted in both countries. Within the range of the lower river Ems only the drainage-canal 'Brualer Schloot', created in the course of turf-digging in 1939, offers the possibility to create an ecological corridor to the Netherlands.
But conditions at present are not ideal. The canal is linear, it's profile is uniform and trapezoidal and the water quality is not good. In this situation various measures are possible to improve the biological efficiency, for example: creation of a non-agricultural hard shoulder, planting of trees along the bank, variations in the design of the contours. A combination of these solutions would ensure that step by step, an attractive, biologially efficient river that will enrich the landscape and will also guarantee the drainage.
The promise of TEN
The TEN project is involved with encouraging this kind of river-(re-)construction as well as possibilities for co-ordinated measures. From the beginning therefore contact was sought with the local authorities responsible and particularly with the those responsible for maintenance, 'Unterhaltungsverband Ems IV' . On the basis of an ecological water development plan, the first steps were agreed upon together:
Maintenance of the canal
In the summer of 2004 maintenance methods will be tested with as goal to increase the variety and structure of vegetation.
Profiling
In an other part of the canal the profile will be changed. This will result in a meandering water-flow, the habitat will become more varied. This will benefit e.g. water insects, whose larvae contribute to the filtering of the water and are an important part of the basic diet for fish.
Side waters
On a plain, property of the municipality Bunde, lying next to the canal, a 'natural lake' will be created which will be directly connected to the canal by a stream. This will create a suitable habitat for many species, which the canal does not (yet)offer.
If water levels rise, water will be retained, which means it's also of great value for water management.
Land purchase
TEN will support the further purchase of land at the canal, which will then be available for development of a biotope and will enlarge the buffer-zone between the canal and the areas of intensive agriculture.
Connection to the Netherlands
In the neighbouring Netherlands similar projects are in progress, e. g. it's planned to develop an 'ecological main structure' along the Boelen-Tijdenskanaal, a river near the border. The aim of TEN is to create an ecological migration-corridor with the help of stepping stones or a connecting brook.
There is no direct link between the water systems in the northwest of Niedersachsen and the north-east of the Netherlands. Linkage of water systems would be especially beneficial to the otter (genus Lutra), a species that is promoted in both countries. Within the range of the lower river Ems only the drainage-canal 'Brualer Schloot', created in the course of turf-digging in 1939, offers the possibility to create an ecological corridor to the Netherlands.
But conditions at present are not ideal. The canal is linear, it's profile is uniform and trapezoidal and the water quality is not good. In this situation various measures are possible to improve the biological efficiency, for example: creation of a non-agricultural hard shoulder, planting of trees along the bank, variations in the design of the contours. A combination of these solutions would ensure that step by step, an attractive, biologially efficient river that will enrich the landscape and will also guarantee the drainage.
The promise of TEN
The TEN project is involved with encouraging this kind of river-(re-)construction as well as possibilities for co-ordinated measures. From the beginning therefore contact was sought with the local authorities responsible and particularly with the those responsible for maintenance, 'Unterhaltungsverband Ems IV' . On the basis of an ecological water development plan, the first steps were agreed upon together:
Maintenance of the canal
In the summer of 2004 maintenance methods will be tested with as goal to increase the variety and structure of vegetation.
Profiling
In an other part of the canal the profile will be changed. This will result in a meandering water-flow, the habitat will become more varied. This will benefit e.g. water insects, whose larvae contribute to the filtering of the water and are an important part of the basic diet for fish.
Side waters
On a plain, property of the municipality Bunde, lying next to the canal, a 'natural lake' will be created which will be directly connected to the canal by a stream. This will create a suitable habitat for many species, which the canal does not (yet)offer.
If water levels rise, water will be retained, which means it's also of great value for water management.
Land purchase
TEN will support the further purchase of land at the canal, which will then be available for development of a biotope and will enlarge the buffer-zone between the canal and the areas of intensive agriculture.
Connection to the Netherlands
In the neighbouring Netherlands similar projects are in progress, e. g. it's planned to develop an 'ecological main structure' along the Boelen-Tijdenskanaal, a river near the border. The aim of TEN is to create an ecological migration-corridor with the help of stepping stones or a connecting brook.
Germany
Niedersachsen
