After installing and planting the islands in spring 2019, we can see how different environmental factors and treatments affect the survival and condition of plants. In Lithuania the most important factors seem to be the inserted plants density, the hydrodynamic conditions on site and harvesting. Denser vegetation tolerates clear cut rather well, while damaged parts of island by wave action should be fixed, re-planted and placed back to its original location. The cleared space on the island was very attractive for resting bids over the winter. This year we will install a web camera to have a closer view on bird life on the island.
In Germany the first monitoring of island performance over winter showed that the island made of thermo-treaded wood survived very well. The buoyancy seems to be very efficient. Also after harvesting the above ground biomass in autumn last year, plants start to re-establish.
