Description: 

The Wójcice extraction site is situated within the artificial lake “Nysa Lake”. The river Nysa Kłodzka drains and feeds the lake from the west to the east. The river Nysa Kłodzka flows through the water body of lake. The whole lake area is protected as Natura 2000 habitat „Nysa Lake”, PLH160002”. The extraction site has a total area of approximately 264 ha and consists of the plant area in the north of the extraction site and the extraction area in the
central part of the artificial lake. The extraction area within the lake is rented by the local water authority. The wet extraction of the mining area started in 1993 and will last until 2037.

The transport of the mining materials is via ship to the plant area. On the plant area at the south-western extraction border a shipyard (outside company) is situated. The ships for the transport of material are rented and repaired by this company. To the western shoreline of the lake a yacht club is situated. The whole area of the artificial lake “Nysa Lake” and the surroundings are used for recreation such as fishing, swimming and camping by local people.
 
The extraction site Wójcice of Górażdże Kruszywa is situated in an agriculturally influenced area in the south of Poland. Small villages border directly to the extraction areas. The river Nysa Kłodzka feeds and drains the artificial lake “Nysa Lake”, which is used as extraction area. The whole lake area is protected as Natura 2000 habitat „Nysa Lake” , PLH160002”.

Habitat, flora & fauna description: 

Flora

The extraction site offers a variety of different habitats such as lakes and their characteristic riparian willow belts, reed beds, water-fringing vegetation as well as pioneer habitats on sandy ground and temporary pools. These habitats have a great value for the conservation and increase of biodiversity within the extraction site.

The Wójcice extraction site is situated within the artificial lake “Nysa Lake”.  To the south an area of marsh and swampland is bordering. The shorelines of the lake consist mainly of hard surfaced shoreline stabilizations; succession woods start to colonize gaps. The littoral zones are dominated by riverine scrub of willows (Salix spp.) and water-fringing reed beds of reed (Phragmites australis) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea).  The areas bordering to the north of the extraction site consist of agricultural fields and mixed oak forests with a high proportion of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Due to the mining operations small sandy islands were dredged regularly within the artificial lake. These islands are left for succession, so that riverine scrubs woodlands, dominated by willows (Salix spp.) established. Depending on the ages of the islands, today riverine scrub as well as water influenced Salix woodlands can be found. The shores of the islands can be characterized by a mosaic of unvegetated and sparsely vegetated habitats.

The operational buildings in the north of the extraction site are surrounded by sparsely vegetated sand habitats and succession woods of birch (Betula pendula) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Almost unvegetated ephemeral watercourses in depressions and runs occur all over the plant area. The sandy surfaces of the backfilling area offer different kinds of succession such as natural regrowth of birch and black locust.

Fauna

In the area of ​​protected Natura 2000 habitat "Nysa Lake , PLH160002". there are at least 15 species of birds listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive 79/409/EEC

The area is an important site for migrating ducks Anatidae, especially during autumn and winter (to 60,000) and for wetland birds Charadrii in  the autumn migration.

More than 1% of the national population of Mediterranean gull is nesting here, as well as relatively high number of common tern.

Over the migration period at least 1% of the migrating bean geese and mallards is observed; relatively high populations of  great egret, wood sandpiper, dunlin, common sandpiper, common teal, lapwing, curlew, the common greenshank, grey plover, water birds are present in concentrations greater than 20 000 individuals (up to 60 000) both during migration and wintering.

Within the steep faces of a sand heap in the centre of the plant area breeding holes of sand martin (Riparia riparia) can be found BIRDS listed on Annex I of Council directive 79/409/EEC

  • Ixobrychus minutus
  • Egretta alba
  • Ciconia ciconia
  • Aythya nyroca
  • Circus aeruginosus
  • Porzana porzana
  • Crex crex
  • Philomachus pugnax
  • Tringa glareola
  • Larus melanocephalus
  • Sterna hirundo
  • Sterna albifrons
  • Alcedo atthis
  • Picus canus
  • Lanius collurio
  • Emberiza hortulana

Regularly occurring Migratory Birds not listed on Annex I of Council directive 79/409/EEC

  • Anser fabalis
  •  Anas crecca
  •  Anas platyrhynchos
  •  Anas querquedula
  •  Aythya ferina
  • Pluvialis squatarola
  • Vanellus vanellus
  • Calidris minuta
  • Calidris ferruginea
  • Calidris alpina
  • Numenius arquata
  • Tringa nebularia
  •  Actitis hypoleucos
  • Larus ridibundus
  • Larus canus

Ongoing nature projcts:

Protection of nesting birds on the islands of The Nysa lake. The project  is aiming at improving the nesting conditions of the colony of  terns and seagulls on the area covered by the Program Nature 2000. In order to preserve the colony of terns and seagulls the site cleaning as well as cutting down of trees and bushes were done. In 2017 the project is continued. The current activities focus on reducing predation on the island. To this end, the  hurdles against predators will be installed and a long-term plan will be developed to tackle predation on the island.

References

Environmental Impact Report by HI-EKO from Opole. March 2011