Integrative approach for the conservation of aquatic species of special concern

The general aim of the protection measures at River Nister is to enhance the habitat quality in the River Nister in order to conserve the extraordinarily high aquatic biodiversity as a whole and the critically endangered species Freshwater mussel and Thick shelled river mussel, as well as the Common barbell, a species of special concern in Germany, specifically.

The conservation of running water biodiversity is of special and global importance because the threat to aquatic biodiversity is similar to that of tropical rain forests. Due to particularly high anthropogenic pressures, the incompleteness of autecological knowledge, and the lack of legal conservation status for most invertebrates, classical and species-focused approaches seem less appropriate for aquatic habitats. Consequently, we plan the development and the implementation of an integrative conservation approach in a hotspot of aquatic biodiversity (River Nister, Rhineland-Palatine) within the main project. Thereby, we want to enable the effective and sustainable conservation of aquatic biodiversity and to show the national potential of such integrative conservation approaches. The specific aim of the main project is to enhance the habitat quality in the River Nister in order to conserve the extraordinarily high aquatic biodiversity as a whole and the critically endangered species Freshwater mussel and Thick shelled river mussel, as well as the Common barbell, a species of special concern in Germany, specifically. Therefore we will develop a restoration concept. It will observe and respect public stake holder interests, will include an accompanying scientific study, and will combine these aspects with the development of the riverine areas, the development of river structures and the development of ditches as secondary high-quality habitats.