Natural succession in a dynamic riverine landscape and the protection of open areas

Natural riverine landscapes are characterized by a high proportion of open areas which are sparsely covered with Vegetation. Thus, river restoration and the re-establishment of river dynamics may be a promising strategy for the conservation of species living in open habitats. This paper discusses the effects of river restoration measures at the rivers Main and Rodach (northern Bavaria, Germany), presenting first results that demonstrate how newly initiated dynamics create high structural diversity including a significant proportion of open landscapes. The restored areas provide habitat for many animal and plant species that live in open landscapes.