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Degree of synergistic effects according to Natura 2000 aims

The project area of the compensation measure ‘Cappel-Süder-Neufeld’ is located in Special Protection Areas (SPAs) after the Habitat and the Birds Directive (Site name HD: Nationalpark Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer; site code: DE 2306-301/ Site name BD: Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer und angrenzendes Küstenmeer; site code: DE 2210-401). According to the Integrated Management Plan Weser (IBP Weser), the project area is assigned to operational area 1. Although the compensation measure was not designed to meet the requirements of Natura 2000, potential positive effects on several conservation objectives defined for operational area 1 (Table 3) and for the entire investigation area of the IBP Weser (Table 4) can be stated.

-Step 1: Estimate potential measure effects on conservation objectives for certain spatial units

Table 3: Natura 2000-objectives with specifications for operational area 1 (source: simplified after NLWKN, SUBV 2012)

Operational area 1: Meso-/polyhaline zone in the outer Weser (Weser-km 65 - 85)
Specifications for operational area 1	Effect of measure 28 on conservation objectives			Short explanation
	positive effect	no effect	negative effect
Conservation and development of specific estuarine habitats and (tidal) floodplains and their dynamic changes
Conservation and development of typical habitats of operational area 1 (e.g. mudflats, reed, salt marshes, extensively used and salt- influenced grasslands)  in a dimension, spatial distribution and interconnection ensuring long-term appearance of typical species	++			Typical habitats of operational area 1 were developed (e.g. salt marshes, mudflats, reeds).
Development, enlargement and upgrade of shallow water zones with moderate current climate (e.g. Wurster Arm)		0
Development of passable shore structures	+			The passability of shore structures was improved by partially removing a summer dike.
Conservation and development of habitats for viable populations and estuary and (tidal) floodplain specific species as well as species after Annex II Habitats Directive and bird species after Birds Directive
Conservation and development of undisturbed resting and moulting areas for migratory bird populations (high diversity, many individuals) considering all necessary functions		0		According to Küfog 2004, no suitability of the project area for migratory bird populations could be stated based on incidental counts. A scientifically sound statement would require 14 daily spring tide counts during tidal high water on a full-year basis.
Conservation of adequate habitat quality and undisturbed resting areas for Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in order to realise a long term stable population		0
Conservation of adaption and feeding grounds for Twaite shads (Alosa fallax) and Lampreys, especially during main migration phases		0
Development of preferential conditions for settlement of Seagrass, eulittoral and sublittoral mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) and Sabellaria-reefs with associated fauna		0
Conservation of typical breeding bird communities and associated habitats (breeding birds of salt marshes, extensively used, salt- influenced grasslands and reeds)	++			According to WILMS ET AL. (1997), the project area is assigned as important breeding bird site for the federal state of Lower Saxony.
Conservation of site specific requirements and area percentages of aquatic structures as habitats for typical benthic invertebrate fauna	+
Conservation and development of favorable conditions on estuary grassland in order to promote long term establishment of Bulbous Foxtail.		0
Preservation and development of the Weser estuary mouth as passable migration and feeding area for Harbors porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)		0

-Step 2: Estimate potential measure effects on overall conservation objectives

Table 4: Natura 2000-objectives with specifications for the entire investigation area of the Integrated Management Plan Weser (IBP Weser); source: simplified after NLWKN, SUBV 2012

Specifications for entire investigation area of IBP Weser		Effect of measure 28 on conservation objectives?
		positive effect	no effect	negative effect
Conservation and development of specific functions and processes of estuaries and (tidal) floodplains to reach favourable abiotic conditions and typical hydromorphological structures
Conservation and development of favourable water structures and water bed dynamics		+
Development of evenly distributed and reduced current energy and tidal parameters		+
	Conservation and development of favourable gradients of specific aspects regarding estuaries and (tidal) floodplains (e.g. salinity, sediments, current conditions, tidal range, close-to-nature zonation of shore vegetation…); refers to inner estuary and to area between estuary and floodplain within fresh water zone.	+
	Improvement of water and sediment quality		0
	Conservation and development of specific estuarine habitats and (tidal) floodplains and their dynamic changes
	Conservation and development of habitats and communities which strongly depend on the natural dynamics of morphological processes (e.g. mudflats, shallow waters, creeks… )	+
	Development of balanced area percentages regarding mudflats, shallow waters, shallow and deep sublitoral	+
	Conservation and development of tidal floodplains with typical vegetation structures and biocoenosis and favourable tidal and flooding dynamics; especially floodplain enlargement	+
	Conservation and development of habitats for viable populations and estuary and (tidal) floodplain specific species as well as species of Annex II Habitats Directive and bird species of Birds Directive
	Conservation of habitat functions for breeding and migrant birds especially as feeding grounds (also for bordering or networked areas)	+
	Conservation and development of habitat requirements for migratory fish stocks and cyclostomata within present territories and networked areas		0
	Conservation and development of habitat requirements for autochthon fish communities with typical age composition and typical percentage of estuarine species and diadromous migratory fish species		0
	Conservation and development of long-term viable populations of typical fish species and cyclostomata (estuarine and diadromous guilds)		0
	Reaching of favourable water quality for reproduction, larval development and viability of typical fish communities of different salinity zones		0
	Conservation and development / reestablishment of passability of the tidal river Weser and its tributaries for migratory fish and benthic invertebrates		0

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