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Neophytes and maintenance work in the Limmattal

Realized:

2019

performed by:

Naturnetz Mittelland

Despite the loss of ecologically very valuable areas due to the straightening of the Limmat and the constantly growing industrial area near Dietikon, the Limmat catchment area on the Schlieren - Dietikon/Geroldswil section is home to some interesting habitats. These include hardwood and softwood floodplains, a fen of national importance and some former old courses of the Limmat, which are under municipal protection. In the immediate vicinity - in the municipality of Weinigen - there are also interesting lean meadows (Alp and Hasleren) and south-facing vineyards. Some rare animal and plant species occur in all of these habitats.

During the spawning season, snouts climb the Limmat every year. Small pincer dragonflies can be found on the banks of the Limmat and the last stone crayfish can still be found in the Weininger Dorfbach. During the breeding season, individual cirl buntings (a rare bird species) can be seen in the vineyards and kingfishers and beavers are also native to several areas along the Limmat. The middle spotted woodpecker has also recently established itself in the floodplain forest. These are a wealth of species, but some of them are increasingly under pressure and are dependent on protective measures.

As part of ecological compensation measures following the renewal of the EKZ concession, the left bank of the Limmat was upgraded. The floodplain forest received a tributary of the Limmat. In addition, the direct riverside path was closed and the banks on both sides of the Limmat were redesigned to be as natural as possible. Gravel areas and shallow water zones have also formed at the mouth of the Reppisch, which are used by fish for spawning and by birds (waders) for food.

This year, the nature network was once again out and about in the Limmat Valley on behalf of EKZ, EWZ and the Nature Conservation Department to carry out maintenance work and combat neophytes with community service workers. The work was coordinated and supervised by the nature conservation office creato. The focus was on mowing work (with blade bars and brush cutters) along the banks of the Limmat and at the Hasleren vineyard, as well as combating neophytes in the rest of the Limmat Valley. In addition, a recently filled gravel area in the floodplain of the Limmat (Geroldswiler-Auen) was cleared of invasive evening primroses and forest edge bays in the Alp area (Weningen) were mown to encourage butterflies (including the large tortoiseshell). In late autumn, the hedges in the Geroldswiler-Auen and Dietiker-Auen were also cut back. The hedges here consist largely of thorn bushes (especially blackthorn). According to the maintenance concept, dense low hedges are to be created, which will serve as a breeding habitat for various warbler species (birds). The hedges were trimmed using pruning shears and hedge trimmers. The work was rounded off with the planting of various shrubs on the left and right sides of the Limmat.

We are excited to see how the newly created habitats will develop over the next few years and which animal and plant species will be able to establish themselves.

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