{"id":35436,"date":"2022-11-07T12:57:49","date_gmt":"2022-11-07T12:57:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daphne.sk\/?post_type=projekt&p=35436"},"modified":"2026-10-19T15:05:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T15:05:45","slug":"ecohydrological-restoration-of-peatlands-in-the-carpathians","status":"publish","type":"projekt","link":"https:\/\/daphne.sk\/en\/projekt\/ecohydrological-restoration-of-peatlands-in-the-carpathians\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecohydrological Restoration of Peatlands in the Carpathians"},"content":{"rendered":"

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 CO\u2082 emissions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our interventions affected 294 hectares<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

At the same time, self-sown trees and reeds were removed. At one site, Siv\u00e1 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Based on testing these measures at forest project sites, we have prepared a Handbook for the Sustainable Management of Wetland Forests<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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 Klinsk\u00e9 peatland in Orava or the Spi\u0161koteplick\u00e9 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\u2019 Night event.<\/p>\n

Project sites:<\/p>\n

Spi\u0161skoteplick\u00e9 Slatiny<\/strong>
\nPre\u0161ov Region, Poprad District, Spi\u0161sk\u00e1 Teplica cadastral area<\/em>
\nWe 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.<\/p>\n

Tisovnica<\/strong>
\n\u017dilina Region, N\u00e1mestovo District, Oravsk\u00e1 Polhora cadastral area<\/em>
\nAs 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.<\/p>\n

Trstinn\u00e9 l\u00faky<\/strong>
\nPre\u0161ov Region, cadastral area of Spi\u0161sk\u00e1 Bel\u00e1<\/em>
\nWe 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.<\/p>\n

Siv\u00e1 Brada<\/strong>
\nPre\u0161ov Region, cadastral area of Spi\u0161sk\u00e9 Podhradie, Levo\u010da District<\/em>
\nWe 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.<\/p>\n

Bariny<\/strong>
\n\u017dilina Region, Liptovsk\u00fd Mikul\u00e1\u0161 District, Jalovec Cadastral Area<\/em>
\nMapping was conducted and a restoration plan was developed; however, the measures were not implemented due to the landowners\u2019 refusal.<\/p>\n

Kriv\u00fd k\u00fat<\/strong>
\nPre\u0161ov Region, cadastral area of Spi\u0161sk\u00e1 Bel\u00e1<\/em>
\nReeds 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.<\/p>\n

Medzi bormi<\/strong>
\n\u017dilina Region, Tvrdo\u0161\u00edn District, cadastral area of Zuberec, Habovka<\/em>
\nWe built a dam and filled in the drainage channels. Restored area: 10.3 ha.<\/p>\n

Boserpalsk\u00e9 ml\u00e1ky<\/strong>
\nKo\u0161ice Region, Ro\u017e\u0148ava District, Dob\u0161in\u00e1 Cadastral Area<\/em>
\nWe 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.<\/p>\n

Makovisk\u00e1<\/strong>
\nPre\u0161ov Region, Poprad District, Ni\u017en\u00e1 \u0160u\u0148ava cadastral area<\/em>
\nWe 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.<\/p>\n

Havrania dolina<\/strong>
\nKo\u0161ice Region, Spi\u0161sk\u00e1 Nov\u00e1 Ves District, Mlynky Cadastral Area, Spi\u0161sk\u00e1 Nov\u00e1 Ves<\/em>
\nWe 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\u2014and 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\u2014in contact with the peatland forests) were constructed. Restored area: 12.2 ha.<\/p>\n

Han\u0161p\u00edle<\/strong>
\nBratislava and Trnava Regions, Malacky and Senica Districts, Z\u00e1horie and Plaveck\u00fd Peter Cadastral Areas<\/em>
\nAt the site, self-sown trees were removed and tall vegetation was manually mowed. Restored area: 3.31 ha.<\/p>\n

Klin bog<\/strong>
\n\u017dilina Region, N\u00e1mestovo District, cadastral area of Klin, Slanica<\/em>
\nAt this site, a drainage channel was blocked using several reinforced backfills. Restored area: 15.3 ha.<\/p>\n

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