Latorica
Reconnecting a transboundary river floodplain landscape.
This planning grant has supported the development of a transboundary restoration framework for the Latorica river floodplain. Flowing from Ukraine into Slovakia, the river shapes a landscape of wetlands, forests, and meadows that still retains much of its natural character. Despite its ecological and cultural importance, the area faces pressures from climate change, water scarcity, and habitat disconnection, requiring coordinated cross-border action.
Slovakia and Ukraine
Wetlands International European Association
October 2023 – September 2025
US$ 99,976
Up to 38,000 ha
Oxbow lakes, softwood and hardwood floodplain forests, grasslands, meadows, old river meanders
Why This Landscape Matters
The Latorica Floodplains support a wide array of birds, including migratory European bee-eaters.
The Latorica floodplains highlight the deep connection between healthy wetlands and human wellbeing. They are home to rare birds, indigenous fish species, and diverse habitats, while also supporting villages and farms whose livelihoods and traditions have been shaped by the river for centuries.
Historically, the wide floodplains acted as natural sponges, soaking up excess floodwaters, recharging groundwater, and creating habitats where unique European nature thrived. But decades of dike building and drainage have disrupted these functions. Floods are now confined to narrow channels, while groundwater levels have dropped, drying out wetlands and even village wells.
Climate change is adding to the pressure. Lower spring floods, hotter summers, and more extreme rainfall events are combining to increase flood risks while drying out habitats. Despite designations such as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance on the Slovak side, the landscape remains highly vulnerable.
What the Project Did
The grant has supported actions to co-develop a shared vision and restoration framework for the Latorica floodplain. Key activities included:
Explored options for reconnecting and seasonally rewetting floodplains.
Assessed opportunities for nature-friendly land management that sustains livelihoods.
Established stronger transboundary collaboration to guide future restoration and management.
Facilitated cooperation between stakeholders in Slovakia and Ukraine, including governments, civil society, knowledge institutes, and the private sector.
Looking Ahead
An alluvial forest along the Latorica river floodplain.
This project seeks to reconnect and restore the Latorica’s wetlands at a crucial moment. Restoration has the potential to bring back nature, strengthen resilience to both floods and droughts, improve water and drinking water security, and create sustainable livelihoods that maintain cultural traditions. The work will provide the basis for coordinated action to secure a healthier and more climate-resilient floodplain landscape.
Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme opens call for expressions of interest for Planning Grants
Conservation and coexistence in Europe’s last great wilderness: A study from the Southwestern Carpathians
Altyn Dala earns Earthshot prize nomination for Kazakh Steppe restoration
