Peatlands in Slovakia have been damaged by peat extraction and drainage. As part of the project, we revitalized 11 peatlands with the aim of restoring their functions, particularly their ability to retain water, sequester carbon, and thereby reduce CO₂ emissions.
Our interventions affected 294 hectares of peatlands. They consisted of ecohydrological measures aimed at improving the water regime, which is a key prerequisite for the restoration of these habitats. Examples of such interventions included building dams on old drainage canals or filling them in. In wetland forests, the focus was primarily on measures to stop the drainage of these areas via forest roads and skid trails.
At the same time, self-sown trees and reeds were removed. At one site, Sivá Brada, we constructed a so-called Larsen wall. This is a special underground wall made of steel profiles that helps stop the inflow of nutrient-enriched (so-called eutrophicated) water, which enters the area as a result of agricultural soil fertilization. Thanks to this, we are able to protect rare peatland habitats.
Without such interventions, eight of the eleven sites would lose their carbon stocks within a hundred years and would disappear. Our restoration efforts can extend the lifespan of these habitats by hundreds, and in some cases even thousands, of years.
Based on testing these measures at forest project sites, we have prepared a Handbook for the Sustainable Management of Wetland Forests.
Another goal of the project was to raise public awareness of the importance of peatlands in mitigating the impacts of climate change. We involved 18 schools from the areas surrounding the project sites. The children went on field trips to sites such as the Klinské peatland in Orava or the Spiškoteplické marshes. The schools used our worksheets, guides, and teaching aids. We also directed our educational activities toward the broader public. For example, we presented the topic of peatlands and climate change at the Researchers’ Night event.
Project sites:
Spišskoteplické Slatiny
Prešov Region, Poprad District, Spišská Teplica cadastral area
We filled in two side channels with material from elevated areas in the surrounding area. We removed the artificially constructed embankments along the main channel and used the material to fill in the sunken main channel and side channels. Water now flows more easily into the peatland. The revitalized channel meanders slightly. Construction debris was removed from the site. Reed and self-sown vegetation were cleared. Restored area: 26.42 ha.
Tisovnica
Žilina Region, Námestovo District, Oravská Polhora cadastral area
As part of the project, the original system of weirs was reconstructed; existing weirs were repaired and new ones were built. Restored area: 11.62 ha.
Trstinné lúky
Prešov Region, cadastral area of Spišská Belá
We built weirs on one drainage channel; beavers helped us with the rest. The Tatra National Park removed self-sown trees and mowed the site. Restored area: 60.02 ha.
Sivá Brada
Prešov Region, cadastral area of Spišské Podhradie, Levoča District
We removed part of the asphalt surface of the parking lot and redirected mineral water from the geyser to the restored area. A Larsen wall was constructed to prevent water from fertilized fields from flowing into the wetland. The reeds were mowed. Restored area: 22.8 ha.
Bariny
Žilina Region, Liptovský Mikuláš District, Jalovec Cadastral Area
Mapping was conducted and a restoration plan was developed; however, the measures were not implemented due to the landowners’ refusal.
Krivý kút
Prešov Region, cadastral area of Spišská Belá
Reeds and self-sown trees were removed. The functionality of the dams on the adjacent canals was checked; thanks to the activity of the beaver, they remain functional, so only material from the surrounding area was added at the dam sites. Restored area: 33.8 ha.
Medzi bormi
Žilina Region, Tvrdošín District, cadastral area of Zuberec, Habovka
We built a dam and filled in the drainage channels. Restored area: 10.3 ha.
Boserpalské mláky
Košice Region, Rožňava District, Dobšiná Cadastral Area
We implemented restoration measures on several roads that were used during removal of storm-damaged trees. We removed ruts left by heavy machinery and compacted fill material from the ruts. On roads with less severe rutting, we simply created suitable conditions for water retention in the peatland forests using infiltration features and small ponds. Restored area: 3.18 ha.
Makoviská
Prešov Region, Poprad District, Nižná Šuňava cadastral area
We implemented various infiltration measures on roads that the landowner needed to preserve; we removed unnecessary access roads; and we modified compacted roads so that they would not drain the peatland. We also created small ponds and various other features to support biodiversity. Restored area: 95.2 ha.
Havrania dolina
Košice Region, Spišská Nová Ves District, Mlynky Cadastral Area, Spišská Nová Ves
We focused on five locations along the access road above the site where, during rainfall, water would flow onto the road and be carried away by it, or remain on the road—and thus be missing from the wetland. At these locations, retention ponds (on the slope above the road), culverts (within the road), and ponds to slow the flow of water into the peatland (below the road—in contact with the peatland forests) were constructed. Restored area: 12.2 ha.
Hanšpíle
Bratislava and Trnava Regions, Malacky and Senica Districts, Záhorie and Plavecký Peter Cadastral Areas
At the site, self-sown trees were removed and tall vegetation was manually mowed. Restored area: 3.31 ha.
Klin bog
Žilina Region, Námestovo District, cadastral area of Klin, Slanica
At this site, a drainage channel was blocked using several reinforced backfills. Restored area: 15.3 ha.
DAPHNE Project Activity Outputs (in Slovak):
Climate Change Education (in Slovak):
Events
For more information on the project’s outcomes, visit the project subpage: obnovaraselinisk.sopsr.sk
DAPHNE - Institute of Applied Ecology
Podunajská 24
821 06 Bratislava
+421 2 455 240 19
daphne@daphne.sk
+421 948 181 533
ekovychova@daphne.sk
Bank Information
Tatra Banka: SK27 1100 0000 0026 6745 5010
Company ID: 30814081
Tax ID: 20 20 912 157
VAT ID: SK 20 20 912 157
Registered in the Register of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava I, VVS/1-900/90-12768
