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River connectivity
Removing or overcoming at least 30 transverse barriers and surveying at least 100 obstacles for a barrier inventory database.
LIFE project · Nature and biodiversity
Conservation of the stone crayfish for reviving river ecosystems
RiverLIFE works to restore and protect healthy, connected river ecosystems by improving natural water flow, rebuilding habitats, and supporting biodiversity.
30+transverse barriers to remove or overcome
83 kmof river habitat reconnected
26 haof key stone crayfish habitat
500+individuals to reinforce three small populations
8 kmof riverbank replanted with native trees
About the project
Rivers need to flow freely
The stone crayfish is an indicator of clean upland rivers. In the upper Stryama and Tundzha catchments its populations are declining — barriers fragment the rivers, habitats are degrading, and invasive crayfish and the crayfish plague are a constant threat. Population models in the project show an annual decline of about 6–7% and a risk of local extinction within 30–35 years without intervention.
RiverLIFE combines three approaches: removing threats (the barriers), restoring habitats, and reinforcing populations with crayfish reared under controlled conditions. The goal is stable, self-sustaining populations — with a density of at least 10 individuals per 100 m² in at least three key locations.
What we do
Six work packages, seven years
The work covers the whole path — from surveys and permits, through fieldwork, to monitoring the results and passing on the knowledge.
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Habitats
Restoring riparian vegetation along 8 km of riverbank with native trees and improving the ecological status of at least one target catchment.
3
Population reinforcement
Rearing and releasing at least 500 stone crayfish into three small populations, with genetic tagging and monitoring of success over three years.
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Monitoring
Assessing the populations before and after the actions, including environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for stone crayfish, invasive crayfish and the crayfish plague.
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People and knowledge
Education activities, interactive river models, meetings with institutions and local communities, and the start of a genetic database for the species.
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Sustainability
An After-LIFE conservation plan, inclusion of the populations in the National Biodiversity Monitoring System, and a replication plan for the approach.
Natura 2000
Six protected sites
We work in the upper Stryama and Tundzha catchments, in sites of the Natura 2000 network and in stretches that act as corridors between them.
- Central Balkan – Buffer
BG0001493 - Central Balkan
BG0000494 - Sredna Gora
BG0001389 - Koprinka Reservoir
BG0000261 - Stryama River
BG0000429 - Tundzha River 1
BG0000192
Partners
The consortium
Coordinating beneficiaryFortis Visio Ltd.Project coordination and management
Associated beneficiaryScience for Nature FoundationHabitat restoration and population reinforcement
Associated beneficiaryInstitute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research (BAS)Population monitoring and assessment
Associated beneficiaryInstitute of Fisheries and AquacultureRearing stone crayfish for reinforcement
Associated beneficiaryBlue Rivers FoundationRiver connectivity and eDNA analysis
Associated beneficiaryExecutive Environment AgencyNational biodiversity monitoring
News
Latest from the project
RiverLIFE news will be published here. Until then, follow the project on the Science for Nature Foundation project page.