Background The freshwater streams on both sides of the German-Belgian border of the Eifel Hills region, contain few nutrients and even less calcium. This makes them ideal habitat types for endangered species such as the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) – as well as other rare or threatened fish species (Cottus gobio and Lampetra planeri) and aquatic invertebrates. The many watercourses of the Eifel region alternate between narrow gorges hemmed in by cliffs of bare slate and broader valleys with floodplains and wetlands. Over the past decades, however, large parts of the valleys have been afforested with spruce and much of the rest has come under more intensive use. The banks of the streams were enclosed by retaining walls, while ponds for fish farming were excavated next to the streams, tapping into their water supply. Many artificial constructions were built on the river and stream beds, blocking the movement of Annex II fish and other aquatic invertebrates. Vehicles crossing the streams via fords made matters worse by stirring up sediment which interferes with the metabolism of the more sensitive fauna. Objectives The overall objective of this LIFE Nature project was to restore the ecological structures and habitats of the oligotropic streams and their valleys. This would benefit Annex II species such as fish and the pearl mussel, as well as the various Annex I riverine habitats associated with stream floodplains. The spruce plantations would be cut down, where feasible. In some parts of the project area, traditional low-level grassland farming would be reintroduced after restoration works, with the intention of encouraging the return of wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) and areas of Arnica montana grassland. Other areas would be left to free succession to deciduous floodplain woodland, which in turn, in some cases, would be accelerated by initial tree planting. The retaining walls would be removed and replaced by gallery fringes of trees and bushes along the stream banks, while other barriers to water flow, such as weirs, pipes and inappropriate fords would be removed, or the negative impacts mitigated. The fish ponds would be re-integrated into the natural fluvial system. This should greatly improve conditions for fish and mollusc species. Located in a rural setting, this LIFE Nature project also placed a strong emphasis on collaboration with important key stakeholders including farmers, foresters, fishing interests and local municipalities. The project area is very popular for leisure activities. Therefore the project aimed to carry out activities to promote its restoration and connectivity work to visitors, as well as to the local stakeholders. Results The project successfully met its targets and has initiated several activities that will continue after the end of the project. Improving species’ connectivity: A total of 106 obstacles, which had prevented the migration of fish and invertebrates for many decades, were removed from sections of the waterways. Through these actions, some 200 km of streams along the river Rur, 40 km along the river Perlenbach and 32 km along the river Kyll were reconnected. Monitoring results showed, that several river sections that were completely free of fish before the implementation of the project measures, are once again inhabited by fish species. Improving habitat connectivity: Spruce plantations were cut on 78 ha, which was more than originally foreseen. After the removal of the spruce trees, some 40 ha were converted to meadow and pasture lands, partly through the application of hay from the species-rich meadows in order to initiate the establishment of target species. These areas are now integrated into agri-environmental schemes in order to ensure the long-term conservation of the sites. Some of the areas will be transformed to natural deciduous forests through the initial plantation of tree species, such as Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior and Acer pseudoplatanus. Information and PR: The project also carried out a series of public relations measures. These included the development of a nature trail along the river Rur and the creation of a mobile exhibition. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).