Within the Life Project Bridging the Gap, 30 oak areas will be restored through several different measures. Among others, clearing around oaks and other trees, and making of clearings and verges will be done and grazing of animals will be reintroduced. This will help to recreate a rich and varied cultural landscape and a rich biological diversity.
Many environments are affected negatively during absence of grazing. Oak is a species that is negatively affected by overgrowth of other trees and bushes as well as many species of insects, lichens, moss, birds and plants. Oak is strongly dependent on sunlight and demands environments that are partially open or completely open. Rejuvenation of oak in shaded environments is very rare. Bushes with thorns, that protect against grazing, is very important when new oak plants shall establish. The bushes are also an important source of nectar and pollen to the wood living insects as well as providing a warm microclimate.
About half of the land in the project have formerly been maintained through grazing or haymaking but are now overgrown since the grazing and haymaking ended. The project will restore these wooded lands so that they may again be maintained through grazing. At some places it won’t be possible to keep the land with grazing animals. In these areas, cutting and disforestation around older trees and their descendants will be of utter importance to promote the values of broad-branched oaks. In many areas grazing or haymaking will be reintroduced after the restauration as to prevent overgrowing. The purpose of the restauration is to promote and increase the amount of oak.