Ecological restoration of ecosystems

Neptune Grass or Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. This priority seagrass species forms large underwater meadows that are an important part of the marine ecosystem. However, there have been declines in its population due to mechanical damage, coastal development and eutrophication.
The main objective of the intervention was to safeguard and to restore 2 Natura 2000 network sites for the conservation of P.oceanica habitat in the Lazio region(1), being the NBS intervention the restoration/protection of the underwater meadows and the improvement of the awareness/importance of this marine habitat type, a priority for conservation(EU Habitats Directive).

Bog Meadows is the last surviving remnants of the river Blackstaff's floodplain, which originally extended over 1,000 acres (Ref 3). This is an urban oasis composed of a mosaic of wetland, meadows, ponds, woodland, shrubs, and stream (Ref 1). It situated at the heart of Belfast City and is the last large area of the Blackstaff floodplain that has not been developed. The area is an important site for both breeding and overwintering birds(Ref 3). The Bog Meadows Enhancement Project aimed to improve the access, grazing infrastructure, and overall appearance of the site. It was hoped that cattle grazing will encourage wildflowers to attract insects, birds etc. (Ref 2).

The project was part of a series of development projects which addressed the water management issues of the city. (Reference 1) The rehabilitation of a lake in the Adyváros neighbourhood included the renewal of the water reservoir, surrounding green areas, footpaths, and vegetation, as well as the installation of a new street light system, benches, trash cans, and unique street installations such as an interactive message board. (Reference 2) The interventions transformed the lake and its surroundings into a popular recreational area, frequented by locals. Since the completion of the project in 2014, there have been minor developments to the lake and its area, such as the renovation of the playground. (Reference 4) Apart from Adyváros, several other lakes were rehabilitated in several neighbourhoods (Adyváros, Győr-Szabadhegy, Marcalváros). (Reference 6)

This project worked to revitalize the area along the river Old Ponávka. This involves the creation of walking paths, bike paths, and public playgrounds. (Ref. 1). Stará Ponávka and the adjoining Svitavy drive were built in the 13th century in the original riverbeds of Ponávka and Svitava before their regulation. By revitalizing this watercourse, the city returned water back to the city, made it accessible to people and improved the natural state of the site (Ref. 14).

The Bradford Beck project is a pilot project looking at new ways of managing and improving rivers. The Bradford Beck is a small river system of around 11km that flows through the City of Bradford. The beck used to be known as the filthiest river in England. In this project, activities are aimed at bringing the becks back to life and full health, for long term restoration of the Beck. It will provide a new focus of water-based socio-economic regeneration in Bradford (reference 1). The project established that a large proportion of the Bradford Beck catchment could be monitored with observations at just 12 strategic points along the course of the Beck, so observations would be made at all 12 points on different days of the week and at different times of the day (ref 6). A record of the status of the Beck at each point would be taken. This would include the level of the water, the colour of the water, smell, turbidity and a photograph of each site (ref 6).

The South Pennine Moors is a conservation area in the Natura 2000 network. This site is crucial for active blanket bog and is part of two Special Protection Areas in the Birds Directive, including golden plover, dunlin, short-eared owl and merlin, dependent on the blanket bog for breeding and feeding. The conservation status of the site is threatened due to sulphate and nitrate pollution, causing severe depletion of crucial sphagnum moss cover. Fire damage has led to more extreme erosion than if the moorlands had remained sphagnum-rich. The restoration of favourable conditions thereby depends on re-establishing a sphagnum-rich bog. (3)
The project included three Natura 2000 sites, the Peak District Moors (South Pennine Moors Phase 1), South Pennine Moors Phase 2 and South Pennine Moors (3).

The center of the project is the lake Patria, which is the subject of a regeneration process with the creation of an archaeological and environmental park, providing several ecosystem services with the creation of green and blue corridors. There are a few challenges to this project, such as lack of financial support, urban and social fragmentation, and possible privatization of public spaces (Ref.3).
The project is still in its planning phase, 11 years after the feasibility study was published. In the local media, it is mentioned that in 2019 the authorities awaited the green light by the Region which will have to issue the impact assessment certificate. Once the certificate has been obtained, they will proceed with the approval of the executive project in order to then be able to call the tender (Ref. 4).

Bowling Park is a public urban park and the key purpose is to grow fruit, develop wildlife habitats and create sociable urban green space as well as maximise the biodiversity of the site and minimise any adverse impact on the environment. The orchard, along with allotment sites, as a whole is a valuable part of the Green Infrastructure Network in Bradford (ref 1). The orchard is developed on six disused allotment plots adjacent to Bowling Park. In March 2003 the orchard has planted over 40 trees including- 35 varieties of apple, 6 pears and 4 plums (ref2).

BIO.FOR.POLIS is a project for the cities of Caserta and Napoli, aiming at improving the biodiversity of the two forests under study. Their projects deal with the construction of streams within the Castelvolturno forest to connect the different parts of it. The two forest areas localized within an urban environment aim to improve the conditions of the ecosystems in a condition of human pressure. This is explicitly considered as a climate mitigation strategy. (Ref.1.)

"On June 1st 2017, Saint-Etienne Métropole officially committed itself to the implementation of measures to promote the circulation of wildlife between the different green spaces with important biodiversity in its territory" (Ref. 3). "Saint-Etienne Métropole has signed with 13 partners a new contract called "green and blue". It is a new blue and green framework for the whole territory, a regulatory tool for the protection of biodiversity" (Ref. 2). "It aims to continue and reinforce the actions already undertaken with a transversal and urban dimension" (Ref. 2).