Background Among the more unusual priority habitat types listed on the Annex I of the Habitats Directive are the petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion). Such habitats are often only a few square metres in area – the spring and its immediate surroundings, but provide unique living conditions for its specialized species. These micro-habitats are formed where spring water with a high calcium carbonate content comes out of the ground. When specific mosses and algae - with the genus Cratoneurion as the leading type - extract carbon dioxide from this water, the calcium forms mineral deposits - tufa - on the plants. These coatings create bizarre shapes, rather like those found in caves with stalactite and stalagmite formation. The limestone formations of the Franco-Swabian Jura running across southern Germany are the basis for one of the largest concentrations of these petrifying springs in the EU. Unfortunately, many of these springs have suffered from past direct interventions: encasing them in constructions, with the best of intentions, to make them more “attractive”, or - at the other extreme - trying to drain them or using them as rubbish dumps. Similarly, these habitats are very sensitive to changes in their surroundings. Threats include the discharge of liquid manure and pesticides and the inflow of warmer drainage water from farmland. The mosses and algae on which the habitat depends will decline if conditions concerning shade, microclimate and acidification are not perfect. Replacing native deciduous forests around the springs by monotonous stands of planted spruce is therefore another threat. Objectives The main objective of the project was to restore and optimise at least 54 springs and their priority habitat in a sustainable way. Specific actions were planned to tackle both the direct and indirect threats identified. All the actions would be planned and carried out with the participation of as many stakeholder groups as possible. Technical actions would reverse the particular past interventions that had damaged each individual spring site. Initiatives would include removing depositions, inflows, walls, basins and pipes and diverting drains. The project intended to promote adapted and appropriate farming and forestry practices in the areas surrounding the springs to improve buffering of the habitats. It aimed to stop intensive forest exploitations in surrounding areas by purchase and lease of land, or by contracts with the actual users. It would reduce non-native forest plantations and replacing them where necessary with well adapted tree species and/or fencing. Furthermore, being one of the first LIFE projects dedicated to this specific habitat type, the project intended to fill a knowledge gap concerning the restoration and enhancement methods for Cratoneurion springs, to develop transferable techniques and to give scientific references for specific actions. There was little awareness of the effects of renaturisation measures at tufa springs before this project. Finally, stimulating awareness of this inconspicuous habitat type through broad public relations work was another important objective. Results This demonstration project successfully achieved its main target by restoring 56 spring habitats. The project carried out a number of small-scale but important initiatives to renaturise individual springs. Each site required different specific actions. For example: 1) In agreement with the Water Authority of Nuremberg and the real estate administration office of the Pommelsbrunn local authority, use of water from a spring near Hohenstadt was abandoned. Households were connected to the central drinking water supply, while concrete shafts were removed and the layout of the new downstream area planned. 2) At one site, a concrete wall acting as a dam was removed to restore the free-flowing character of the stream fed from the spring 3) Spruce monoculture was cleared from an area covering around 2 000 m² around one spring. The exposed slope was then planted with more appropriate trees. 4) Deadwood and loppings from the forestry industry that had been deposited on the site of one tufa spring near Kainsbach were removed. 5) A spring in the community of Dittenheim that suffered contamination and damage from the grazing and excrement of sheep was protected by a youth welfare organisation erecting a fence - less than one metre high and made of oak and spruce wood - around the site. 6) At a site near Rohrbach, spruce trees were removed, the area around the spring was fenced off and a concrete pipe enclosing the stream was replaced by a wooden bridge. A plot of land was purchased to ensure long-term protection for several springs. As well as specific technical activities such as these and monitoring of the various sites, the project worked extensively to raise public awareness of the need to protect the micro-habitats. Efforts included Internet presentations, leaflets, brochures, talks, excursions and site-specific information boards. Crucially, the project demonstrated how much consultation and negotiation with different stakeholders is required to both undertake and ensure the sustainability of this kind of conservation work. This project engaged successfully with landowners, various public authorities, communal administrations and associations. This work has already inspired another project to restore springs with the Bavarian Forest Authority (Bayerische Landesforsten). It has informed Natura 2000 management plans, driven local authorities in the region to ensure public paths do not encroach on sensitive areas and fed into a regional ‘Springs in Bavaria’ campaign. This demonstration project can act as an inspiration to other initiatives to protect springs. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).