Baseline Situation & Challenges

Various human activities have and continue to interfere with the natural hydromorphological processes of the rivers and related biotopes. All of these activities affect the river and its associated ecosystems and have considerable damage potential. At the same time, some of these anthropogenic barriers have a significant potential as replacement habitats. For example, extensive dry grasslands have developed along flood protection dams.
The task for the next few years is to continue the efforts already begun with regard to renaturation and species protection, as well as to continuously improve the efficiency of the measures taken through scientific monitoring, research and the development of innovative methods with a special focus on climate change impacts and biodiversity enhancement.

Planned Activities

  • Implement initiatives to improve hydromorphological processes in the river system by restoring banks, enabling the formation of sandbanks and gravel banks, and preserving/creating habitats and scours
  • Facilitate initiatives to improve hydromorphological connectivity and stream dynamics (longitudinal and transversal connectivity) through watercourse linkages, bank reconstructions and near-natural shaping of banks and estuaries
  • Implement nature and species conservation projects to preserve biodiversity - for example, by expanding the range of target species and preserving appropriate habitats or creating wave-protected areas
  • Promote initiatives to stem the spread of neobiota along the waterway (e.g. neophyte control) and promote native, site-appropriate and climate-resilient species
  • Implement nature-oriented maintenance concepts in the conservation of dam and riparian areas
  • Strengthen the knowledge base on the effects of river regulation and climate change on the natural environment and the species spectrum of the Danube/March/Thaya (including knowledge exchange with ASFINAG, ÖBB or other Danube countries)
  • Encourage cooperation with relevant stakeholders and research institutions in the development of measures and in relation to data management and monitoring
  • Implement projects for the conservation and improvement of floodplains, e.g. improvement of hydromorphological connectivity, enhancement of habitats and maintenance of the function for the drainage of floodwaters