Summary

The Mandlinger Moor, situated in a mountainous region in the Federal Province of Salzburg in Austria, was like many other moors, used for peat exploitation. This caused a degradation of the original and unique moor fauna and flora. Peat extraction ended in 1993 and statutory nature conservation measures were applied in 1998. 

Over several programming periods, between 2004 and 2018, the Austrian Rural Development Programmes (RDP) have supported a far-reaching re-naturalisation process. These actions, particularly in the central area of the moor, resulted in the restoration of the original moor hydrology and propagation of the previous natural moor vegetation was clearly visible. 

 

Results

Peat-building vegetation and peat mosses were restored and grew abundantly.

Within six months, peat extraction sites that had been vegetation-free were extensively covered with the white beak-sedge (rhynchospora alba) and beaded sedge (carex rostrata). Duckweed (lemna minor) and common bladderwort (utricularia vulgaris) were found in flooded, stagnant water bodies.