Retaining water in the peatland
For many years, water was drained from Mesmerried via a drainage ditch. As part of the restoration work, this was sealed off using four timber sheet pile walls and three hard vinyl sheet pile walls; eleven smaller timber sheet pile walls were used on a second small ditch. This means the water remains in the area for longer, allowing typical peatland vegetation to develop, and providing a protected habitat for rare species such as mosses and orchids, as well as dragonflies and amphibians. Furthermore, wetlands store carbon and water, thereby contributing to climate and flood protection.
A joint project serving as a model
The project was only possible thanks to the collaboration of many stakeholders: The Schlins Agricultural Community provided the land, the firm Werner Gabriel (Göfis) carried out the construction work to close the main drainage ditch in spring 2026, and numerous volunteers from the Schöcha Association undertook the preparatory work in winter as well as the manual closure of a smaller ditch. The LIFE project AMooRe provides the necessary financial and organisational support and, through scientific monitoring by the University of Kiel, documents the initial condition and the impact of the measures implemented.
Regional Counsillor Christian Gantner emphasised: “It is a matter of great importance to us in Vorarlberg not only to preserve this valuable natural heritage, but also to actively enhance it. With the restoration of the Mesmerried, we are demonstrating how nature conservation and regional benefits can successfully go hand in hand.”