Background Žuvintas biosphere reserve is situated in the southern part of the central Lithuanian lowlands, formed in a depression of the oval limnoglacial swampy plain. The Žuvintas and Amalvas mires dominate the area. Žuvintas mire (6 847 ha) is the largest in Lithuania and consists of bogs (71 %), transitional mires (17%) and fens (12%). There are three lakes in the territory as well as several smaller marshy lakes within Žuvintas mire. Forests cover some 6000 ha. An important feature of the area is a rich diversity of forest, bog, fen and aquatic plant communities. In total 1 058 species of plants are recorded in the Žuvintas biosphere reserve. Bukta forest contains reference areas of broad-leaved forest with hornbeam and significant areas of swamp woods. The mires are made up mostly of bog woodland dominated by pine, while in open areas, habitats consisting of common heather (Calluna vulgaris), hare's-tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) and Sphagnum species are found. Large areas of reed marshes and sedge fens occur mainly in the south and south-east of the Žuvintas Lake. Lake vegetation is very dense – more than half of the lake surface is covered by aquatic plants - bulrush, reed etc. - forming floating islands very characteristic to the Žuvintas region. The biosphere reserve is best known, however, for its bird species. Of the 300 registered species in Lithuania, 257 species are found in the reserve and 134 breed in the area. Every year numerous flocks of migratory birds use the area as a stopover location. The area also includes 44 species of mammal, five reptiles and 11 amphibians, as well as more than 2 000 registered insect species. Objectives The objectives of the LIFE project were to: Restore hydrological and ecological functions of the Amalvas and Žuvintas wetlands in order to achieve a favourable conservation status for the bog and swamp wood habitats of these pSCIs; Achieve an optimal balance between farming practices and wetland conservation in adjoining areas; Improve recognition of the importance of wetlands. Results The WETLIFE project aimed to restore the natural hydrological and ecological functions of the Amalvas and Žuvintas wetlands in order to achieve a favourable conservation status for the bog, swamp wood and lake habitats of these pSCIs. A particularly important aspect of achieving this was to find an optimum balance between farming practices and wetland conservation. The principal planned interventions to achieve restoration of the wetland habitats were: Land purchase and land-use compensation Reconstruction of the Amalvas polder Blocking of drainage channels in Amalvas and Žuvintas Restoration of the natural wetland water levels Amalvas and Žuvintas Support of grazing activities To promote public and stakeholder understanding of the importance of the wetland habitats the project also planned the following actions: A specific information campaign on farming practices Guidelines for sustainable grassland management Construction of a wetland viewing platform in Amalvas A raised bog renovation exhibition Project seminars Project website and films Results The WETLIFE project successfully intervened to reverse degradation processes in 1 158 ha of targeted wetland in the Žuvintas biosphere reserve. The improved conditions for peat formation are expected to conserve priority habitats of active raised bog and bog woodland as well as significantly improve CO2 retention and decrease nitrate and peat particle contamination of the lakes. Plants, animals, birds and fish should benefit. The project is an example of successful wetland restoration that can be easily replicated. The project purchased 16 land plots and obtained permits for drainage blocking in the target area to enable intervention works to be carried out. Other preparations included technical drawings for reconstruction work and a map of the water levels, which surprisingly revealed the non-existence of some drainage channels identified by official maps and management plans. The following interventions were carried out: Reconstruction of sluice gates into cascades of overflow spill weirs at several sites Reconstruction and extension of protective dykes in the Amalvas wetland (2 km) and Žuvintas (3 km) Renovation of the pumping station at Amalvas polder Channels blocked with plastic piling dams across 207 ha of the southern Amalvas wetland and 6 km of Žuvintas raised bog Trees cut across 207 ha of southern Amalvas wetland Two sections of a road raised to remain usable in the new terrain.Restoration work at the Amalvas polder allowed natural water levels over 638 ha during autumn, winter and early spring. Water management rules were initiated to ensure maintenance of ground water level in the peaty soils 30-60 cm from the surface during the farming season. The work in the southern part of the Amalvas bog restored the water level to 0.0-0.3 m below the surface across 210 ha of formerly drained area. Approximately 50 ha of formerly drained Amalva mire were restored and the natural water fluctuation returned to the Amalvas Lake. Grazing was initiated over 30 ha of peatland with restored hydrological regime in Amalvas polder, protected by an electric fence. A farmer was contracted to undertake the grazing for five years and received a starting herd of beef cattle – 15 heifers and one bull. Compensation payments for newly flooded land were not required, since the farmer most affected by the raised water levels was given the grazing contract instead. The project delivered new management regulations for the Žuvintas Lake as well as the Amalvas polder. Guidelines on farming in peatlands were developed and discussed with local farmers highlighting the ecological and economic benefits from application of more sustainable farming methods. The project constructed an Amalvas Lake viewing platform on a 40 ha parcel of land purchased from a private landowner. An information stand was also erected on a restored part of the Amalva bog. An information film on the biosphere and the WETLIFE project was produced and disseminated to regional TV stations, as well as being viewable at the Žuvintas reserve visitor centre and on the project website. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).