Restoration of the Stržen watercourse to improve the ecological condition of Cerknica Lake in Slovenia

Restored Strzen meander in Kljuci — Notranjski regijski park

About the finalist

Lead applicants	Notranjska Regional Park; Fisheries Research Institute of Slovenia; DOPPS - BirdLife Slovenia; Insitute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation
Category	Conservation on land
Countries involved	Slovenia
Main Natura 2000 sites	Notranjski trikotnik and Cerkniško jezero (Slovenia)
Website	https://life.notranjski-park.si/en/

Overview

Supported by the EU LIFE programme, this initiative restored the River Stržen in Slovenia, which had been regulated at the beginning of the 20th Century for agricultural purposes. The project targeted the Natura 2000 sites ‘Cerkniško jezero’ and ‘Notranjski trikotnik’.

A 2.1 km-long section of the Stržen waterway was redirected back into its natural meandering riverbed, resulting in a significant improvement in the ecological balance of Cerknica Lake, an intermittent lake in a karst area with diverse associated ecosystems. These river restoration works also improved water retention and hydrological conditions, increasing soil moisture over an area of 60 hectares, improving the area’s resilience to climate change and providing an important habitat for fish, invertebrates, birds and mammals.

In addition, the intervention promoted the recovery of an EU priority habitat - seasonally-flooded lakes in karstic limestone areas - and enlarged the nesting and feeding habitat for the bittern (Botaurus stellaris) by 215 hectares, with benefits for 14 additional species recognised as bird species of EU importance under the Birds Directive. The visitor management at the sites was reviewed in order to decrease any negative visitor impacts during the bird breeding season, and wildlife observation infrastructure and visitor information on the sites was improved, raising public awareness among about the area and its biodiversity.

An effective cooperation was established with landowners, hunters and anglers, laying a foundation for future collaborative efforts to preserve this valuable ecosystem. The engagement with local communities and the development of sustainable products also contributed to the project’s success, ensuring widespread support and ongoing benefits for both biodiversity and the local economy. For example, two local hunting associations diversified their economic activity by establishing bear observation points within the LIFE STRŽEN project area, marking a shift towards more conservation-compatible economic activities.

The impressive efforts of this project underline the commitment for achieving ecological restoration and climate resilience, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.