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Restoration of ecosystem functions and efficiency control: case study of the Danube floodplain between Neuburg and Ingolstadt (Bavaria/Germany)

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Abstract

The Danube floodplain is disconnected from its river, and natural water dynamic is inhibited by regulation and hydropower generation. Notwithstanding the hydropower dams, this restoration project aims to bring back natural water dynamics to the floodplain by a new floodplain stream, by ecological flooding and by temporary groundwater drawdown during summer months. Due to the new floodplain stream, former fluctuating water zones which are habitat for the target species Oenanthe aquatica changed to aquatic habitats which are also required. The measure groundwater drawdown aims to enhance the abiotic conditions for this pioneer species of muddy streambanks. The scientific efficiency control compares the situation before restoration implementation with the effects of three different types of groundwater drawdown. For these three types, the hydrological situation was investigated, and the effects on the potential area and on the occurrence of O. aquatica were mapped. The outcome is that one type can enhance germination of O. aquatica, but is detrimental for aquatic organisms. The other type is able to provide the same suitable conditions for O. aquatica, without severely harming the aquatic habitats. The third type cannot reach the needed low water levels and is therefore not a comparable option. The results show that an interdisciplinary monitoring is able to develop a measure suitable for both competing habitat types.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank André Schwab, Nicolas Eckert and Lucas Schönwetter for their field work. The research could not have been done without the restoration project of the Water Management Authority (WWA) Ingolstadt and the AG Auenrenaturierung or without the funding of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. At last, we would like to express our thanks to WWA Ingolstadt for the provision of data, to Michaela Walter-Rückel for helpful corrections and to Uwe Koenzen for useful comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Aueninstitut Neuburg, Schloss Gruenau, 86633, Neuburg a. d. Donau, Germany

    Barbara Stammel, Peter Fischer, Marion Gelhaus & Bernd Cyffka

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  1. Barbara Stammel
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  2. Peter Fischer
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  3. Marion Gelhaus
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  4. Bernd Cyffka
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Correspondence to Barbara Stammel.

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This article is part of a Topical Collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on “Water in Germany, guest” edited by Daniel Karthe, Peter Chifflard, Bernd Cyffka, Lucas Menzel, Heribert Nacken, Uta Raeder, Mario Sommerhäuser and Markus Weiler.

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Stammel, B., Fischer, P., Gelhaus, M. et al. Restoration of ecosystem functions and efficiency control: case study of the Danube floodplain between Neuburg and Ingolstadt (Bavaria/Germany). Environ Earth Sci 75, 1174 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5973-y

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