We flooded a forest and now it froze - project update

In 2022 we flooded a forest to bring back a wild thriving ecosystem but this winter the forest froze… Here’s what it might mean for our project.
🌾 To support our work you can become a member here: mossy.earth
MOSSY EARTH MEMBERSHIP
===============================
The rewilding membership that restores nature across a wide range of ecosystems.
🌲 Support a diversity of ecosystems
🐺 Rewild habitats to bring back biodiversity
🦫 Fund neglected species & ecosystems
Learn more and become a member here: mossy.earth/
💪 OUR PARTNERS IN THIS VIDEO
===============================
BROZ: broz.sk/en/
⏱️TIMESTAMPS⏱️
0:00 Intro
0:35 Winter Floods
1:18 Our Project
2:56 The Ice
4:34 History of Ice
6:09 Ecological Impacts
📸 Old Photos Credit:
TASR
NETKY.SK
RNDr. Marián Melo, PhD. - private collection
🔎 ABOUT THIS PROJECT
===============================
Over recent decades, large swathes of Slovakia’s wetlands have been lost. They have been drained to make way for agriculture as a result of the construction of dams for hydroelectric power, as well as for timber production. Wetlands are an integral part of the Danube floodplain landscape in Slovakia and draining them to plant trees has detrimental impacts on the environment. Wetlands store large amounts of carbon and are home to a diversity of plant and animal species that are specially adapted to the wet conditions. One of these species is the nationally endangered and endemic Pannonian root vole, which has declined drastically in Slovakia in response to disappearing wetlands. This project is turning forest back into a wetland with its 650 meters of ditches. This will kickstart an annual “flood” of change and bring back a healthy functioning, sustainable and wilder ecosystem.
Read all about this work here:
mossy.earth/projects/restorin...

[@MossyEarth]

If you think this project is worth supporting then be sure to check out our membership mossy.earth . It is truly what makes it all possible! - Cheers, Duarte

[@matthewferguson6697]

Just wondering, why are you guys an ltd, rather than a charity?

[@MossyEarth]

Hi, you can see more about our ethos, including this question, here www.mossy.earth/methodologies/business-ethos

[@EuroWarsOrg]

Where is that global warming when you need it eh?

[@spencersanderson1894]

The botanical records for this project should look very interesting in the next few years. Can’t wait to see the progress of this!

[@MossyEarth]

Indeed! I hope to be able to go into the botany side of things this spring! - Cheers, Duarte

[@spencersanderson1894]

@@MossyEarth Nice, sounds very interesting, looking forward to seeing some feedback! Is there a video on the fauna of this site? Thank you, good luck with all you do!

[@MossyEarth]

I think the last video we made in September is a good example of some of the fauna which thrives here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6Kaq2upopqIl68

[@MrKOenigma]

​@@MossyEarththis looks amazing, and it's nice to see you guys so excited and happy about it 😂❤😂❤

[@spencersanderson1894]

@@MossyEarth Thank you I shall check it out!

[@PatrikInNature]

It's always a good time when Mossy Earth uploads. It's amazing to see the landscape so different now! Patrik

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Patrik! I'm sure you saw some bits you recognise :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@PatrikInNature]

@@MossyEarth I did! Happy to see the footage still being used in the videos :D

[@MossyEarth]

Indeed! It is great stuff we will use it for years to come!

[@joaquimbarbosa896]

The fact that you contribute to both research on the ecossystems and ecology and also recovering then is just so amazing

[@MossyEarth]

In this case we did not do any research but we are actually working on research in many of our projects! Its important for transparency and to keep everything based on results. - Cheers, Duarte

[@GrindHardPlumbingCo]

At first I thought this was going to be a disaster after all of your efforts but sounds like it is going to be fine

[@nilstwestergaup3165]

Still think this is rather insane tbh

[@alicorn3924]

Since this is my first time in this series. I thought the entire ecosystem in the intro was frozen over, but when more info about the project was shown I kinda understood now.

[@joerigijsbers8020]

@GrindHardPlumbingCo love to see you guys in this comment section.

[@RENO_K]

Y'all being here is epic😂

[@LlibertarianGalt]

Nice 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Ealsante]

What a wondrous update! I just love the flooded forest team: Sigg, Andrea, Adriana, their enthusiasm shows in everything they do. Thanks for the great work!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you for the kind words! It means a lot to the team :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@MrAnkydoodle]

No amount of words, i type, could do justice to the work you guys are doing... Simply, Hats Off to All of you .

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you for the kind words! That means a lot to us :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@huornaldarion781]

In the Netherlands we had huge rivers overflow and freezing till the sixties. Due to fast flowing rivers and coolant waters out of Germany and our factories it doesn't happen anymore. The water froze on top. Below it was still flowing and pushed everything in front of it. They heaped up and the spread through the side. The ice sheets were sharp and kept getting pushed into trees. It cut them down and the tree reshoots in spring in a dry period. That's why we can coppice.

[@MossyEarth]

Super interesting! So much to learn about the Ice that is missing! Thank you for sharing :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@AnotherDuck]

Also one reason why ice skating is a big sport there.

[@DavidF3]

This January a here in South Western Slovakia a lot of water got stuck in huge pools on the surface. Agricultural fields were flooded and you could see swans swimming in the enormous pools. After about a week, the pools froze and some people used them for ice skating. I don't remember anything like this happening in my lifetime.

[@MossyEarth]

Makes you think a bit about the magic of European winters that we have lost... - Cheers, Duarte

[@dwdei8815]

An enchanting facet of this magical new/restored ecology. The word "debacle", now meaning any catastrophe, was originally the term for the breaking up of river ice as it thaws. It would be interesting to hear what the dam operators think of this natural treasure on their doorstep, which is both a product of it as a resource and as an over-engineered threat. I bet it lifts their spirits.

[@MossyEarth]

That is a great fact! Thank you! The dam operators have to collaborate because of laws passed a few years ago. So they have to create these simulated floods every year. They also want things to improve of course but its good to have it in law. - Cheers, Duarte

[@Nphen]

Love to see more about this project! Some people might think that donating $2 or $5 per month is not enough to even bother, but it absolutely is enough! That $5 per month adds up to $60 per year.

[@MossyEarth]

Exactly! We don't need huge companies or wealthy individuals. Normal people contributing a small bit each goes a really long way! - Cheers, Duarte

[@DuartedeZ]

Thank you Siggi, Andrea and Adriana for all the filming! Its epic!

[@hotbit7327]

As ice forms, the surface albedo increases. The net amount of solar radiation held by the Earth is reduced. Climate is not only about CO2 levels. The city can be 10C hotter in the summer than a nearby forest. Great job, Mossy Earth.

[@MossyEarth]

Exactly, it is a shame to lose this river ice. At least from an ecological perspective. - Cheers, Duarte

[@jukeboxxgamer]

I don't know why but seeing progress updates on this project always touches me so deeply! Seeing people care for, restore, and enjoy the fruits of the earth almost brings me to tears sometimes. Edit: Thought a little deeper, and it's the hope it gives!

[@Heterogeneity]

Thanks from coastal northern California, the updates on all of the Mossy Earth projects are uplifting and impressive but this flooded forest on the Danube has captured my heart from the first video. Thanks for cherishing our home planet as much as I do and for gathering action and community around that love.

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you for the kind words and I am glad to hear the projects are uplifting. I think that is a very important facet of our work! - Cheers, Duarte

[@floydblandston108]

I've lived in an environment like that; one very distinct ecological feature is the absence of burrowing rodents and other animals. For us that meant lots of raccoons compared to even nearby areas of summer only flooding backwater, where that niche and its food supply would accrue to others. You also tend to see fewer predatory mammals (i.e., coyotes), and more hawks, owls, and eagles, and also fewer 'grazing mammals' (deer). With less deer pressure, there's more berries, and so- more birds too!

[@MossyEarth]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing Floyd! - Cheers, Duarte

[@raymiemiller1455]

Where I live in Wisconsin, I'm used to ice on our major lakes and rivers. It's a force to reckoned with. But it also has immense ecological value as a source of natural disturbance. Probably other understudied values, too.

[@MossyEarth]

Exactly! Very curious to learn more about it now :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@caprea9484]

This project has become one of my favorites lately, and I am proud to be a (paying 😁) part of it, and I hope that an update will come soon! 🥰

[@MossyEarth]

Glad you enjoyed the update and a huge thank you for supporting our work. Its what makes it all possible! - Cheers, Duarte

[@CaleIsWorthyOfficial]

I was like: Hmm, I watched a Mossy Earth video long ago, let's check up on them.... and, Ta-Da! New video! This made my day. Thank you!

[@MossyEarth]

Haha good timing! Thank you for the kind words :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@Jormungandr633]

I was actually planning on doing a zooplankton/phytoplankton survey in ponds, lakes, bogs (bog. There’s only one left. Which I’m very sad about), and flood spots for my school. The time to do it in the winter has passed before all the preparations could be finished but now I’m more excited for next winter so I can get ready on time and do some ice diving

[@Jormungandr633]

I can’t wait to go to college so I can get even more hands on with my projects

[@saram8102]

The love and enthusiasm you have for your work is obvious, and I love that you are always eager to keep learning as you go! I hadn't really thought about how under appreciated and under studied winter is compared to the growing and breeding seasons, but it strikes me that it is more important than ever to fill in these gaps in our knowledge and research as winters are becoming warmer and ice and snow rarer in many places.

[@MossyEarth]

Exactly! It is a very interesting gap for further inquiry! - Cheers, Duarte

[@Respectable_Username]

What an absolutely gorgeous landscape! So glad you got out to film before the ice melted. Will be fascinating to see the impact come springtime ❤

[@Grantonioful]

I get so excited to hear news about this project! As a Canadian, I appreciate the winter representation. The beavers here create these all the time and on rare occasions, it's smooth enough to walk on and see through to their underwater paths!

[@primesspct2]

I love watching the excited energy, young people bring to the table. Thank you, for that it is a gift, your walks and talk , and taking this little old lady with you!

[@kizi86]

the work you guys are working for the betterment of the earth is astounding! this project, the many reforestation projects you work on, for example in iceland, that is a project that is desperately needed, to stem of soil erosion, our biggest problem in the highlands of iceland, the earth truly needs selfless hardworking people like you!

[@MossyEarth]

Agreed plenty of work to be done in Iceland! Thank you for the kind words, it means a lot to the team :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@TheDinohunter2000]

Now you melt it, obviously!

[@MossyEarth]

Hopefully it does that on its own in Spring! 😅 - Cheers, Duarte

[@IAR97]

Nature Will do that bro

[@TheDinohunter2000]

@@MossyEarth I dunno, I bet everyone with flamethrowers standing in a line can make a dent in that ice.

[@huntermanley5257]

Perhaps some sort of global phenomena we should pursue to ensure this doesn't happen, to save money on flamethrowers

[@TheDinohunter2000]

@@huntermanley5257 a flamethrower is never a bad purchase

[@Don_Dries]

I remember the first video i saw from mossy earth was about the flooded forest and it's been such an interesting journey ever since! 🌿

[@krose6451]

Thank you for sharing this with us. As someone who lives in an area that doesn't get proper winters any longer, it was greatly appreciated.

[@MossyEarth]

Agreed! What a beauty :) We can only hope for some more :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@py106]

Thanks for helping out our planet ❤❤❤

[@MrLordLowbob]

I love how you follow up on your projects and share anything interesting. thank you for your work. don't support with much sadly, but I'm happy for every penny I provide to you.

[@PaulCoxC]

Ice as a longer term storage of water in a localised area rather than it draining away and the land drying up is an interesting, and the knock-on affect of this into spring is intriguing

[@paulbyland]

Breaking ice in the forest was one of my favorite winter activities as a child. The sound it makes when you throw a big piece of ice onto a frozen area is pretty magical.

[@MichaelMartinussen]

Tak!

[@MossyEarth]

Selvtak! - Duarte

[@tudibelle]

The original project video for this river was the first of yours I saw. Lovely to see an update, and what a beautiful one. Hoping to become a member soon.

[@MossyEarth]

No rush! We really appreciate all the support in whichever way you can! Comments and being subscribed help us reach more people. It is a huge help! - Cheers, Duarte

[@isadorafernandezmoncada541]

I LOVE how we can actually see humans working WITH nature, learning and understanding how it works so we can help our environment, instead of destroying it. That's how we can tell humans are amazing and can be beneficial to the planet if we put our efforts into it.❤

[@tudibelle]

I can’t afford to join right now, but I did recommend your channel in a zine I made ❤

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you for that :D

[@TheRealEvilSink]

Your updates on the work you have done is a big inspiration towards my own private conservation efforts and experiments.

[@Arvanlife]

It's beautiful. Thanks for showing us what is happening in the flooded forest.

[@MossyEarth]

We love keeping people up to date with this project as everyone just enjoys it so much! - Cheers, Duarte

[@mricardo96]

It cannot be understated how brilliant the effort of you guys in literally creating a better world is. Great to see

[@0.-.0]

Used to have an environment like this in my backyard. It was always amazing to explore the forest on the ice in the winter.

[@TheGrace020]

😻Thanks for the update awesome! much love ❤

[@MossyEarth]

Enjoy the video and thank you for the kind words! - Cheers, Duarte

[@hasko_not_the_pirate]

Reminds me of a swamp near my childhood home that we used to roam and that froze over occasionally. The sounds of walking on the “dry” ice really brought back those memories more than even the pictures.

[@maria_srose]

Commenting to keep engagement. When you keep up such good work, there's no way these systems wont thrive ❤

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Maria! Every bit helps and the kind words mean a lot to us! - Cheers, Duarte

[@illmamnim]

Magical! Can't wait to see the new spring of the rivers

[@conradk]

The quiet of a winter forest is like no other. It is really magical.

[@Jacob-qr8pl]

I'm used to living around wet woodlands in winter. I'm glad to see others being able to experience this that aren't used to it.

[@Technoanima]

Thank you for restoring nature there.

[@leolewis580]

ahh, every time i see an update on this series i get emotional. thank you for all your hard work helping this ecosystem learn to thrive again

[@privaterizk4936]

It's always amaze me how far human power and knowledge can do. And it's incredible to see nature and all living creatures works. Love all those works you guys did, doing, and going to do!

[@LalaSchaut]

Thank you for the update on the flooded (frozen) forest^^ I love that project! You are amazing guys❤️

[@MossyEarth]

Glad you enjoyed the update and thank you for the kind words :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@davideforestiere6773]

I'm so grateful that people like you even exist! So happy with the update, can't wait to see how the forest will do in spring and summer. p.s: when are you guys showing us something about the coral restoration project in indonesia?

[@melissagirard8661]

This was super interesting to watch! Coming from Canada, this phenomenon is so commonplace, I hadn't considered all the places where things like this don't happen anymore. Glad to see these changes!

[@MossyEarth]

Exactly! In some places this is very much a reality each winter. Super interesting phenomenon :) Cheers, Duarte

[@literalvtrash]

this is exactly why i’m going to be studying renewable resources and bio energy ! to preserve and enable the growth and thriving of beautiful ecosystems like this for many many years to come (hopefully 🤞🏽) !! love what you guys are doing for our earth ❤️thank you

[@edwardabercrombie1961]

This really is the project that keeps giving.

[@carollyn8885]

I love the update!! You gotta find the people that enjoy the cold to study the area in the winter season. Lol! Summer people do their things and winter people do their thing. Meet up in the spring time to compare notes. Lol

[@crazymonkeyVII]

Thanks for the update on my favorite project guys! As always, looking forward to the next!

[@grayven123]

Hello from the US! I am trying to become a climate optimist, and seeing the work that you all do really is inspiring and encouraging seeing wildlife return to these different ecosystems!

[@DeerOfDestiny]

Even when everything seems to be sleeping under the ice, the forest always looks so beautyful! Thank you as always for your great effort to preserve and rewild. The farmers say, that a freezing winter brings good harvest in summer, because the cold kills many harmful insects and fungi. I wonder how much this applies to a more natural ecosystem, like this forest,

[@valentinpetrovitsch9406]

Of all the projects this is my favorite

[@bteblooms]

Got to love Mossy Earth! A great project. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

[@twentyfivenhot]

This is by far my favorite project. This and the project with the dams. Great content.

[@sambeawesome]

What an amazing update, wow! The ice is so beautiful. So incredible to see it's just a sheet. Can't wait to see how things will look in spring. Thanks for doing what you do and keeping us updated :D

[@Claisical]

Thank you for the update, it's awesome to see how these projects unfold! Can't wait to see more!

[@MossyEarth]

Plenty of updates coming in the next few weeks and months :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@letterboi8372]

Love you guys

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you for the kind words :) The support means a lot to the whole team! - Cheers, Duarte

[@philiptaylor7902]

Good to catch up on the forest in all it's moods and seasons. Great work Mossy Earth!

[@lieslfrankpsychickinesiolo4906]

That looked magical I can't wait for the Spring / Summer updates

[@brockn7878]

Mossy Earth and Rare Earth ... 2 of the best KZbin channels left ❤

[@MossyEarth]

Glad you enjoy our work! - Cheers, Duarte

[@Hungary_0987]

This is my favourite project of yours yet, wish i could help, keep it up!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you! We hope to give you some tools soon to help with this! - Cheers, Duarte

[@lukyluke993]

Love the new animations of the area from a Birds Eye view. Really steps up the quality

[@MossyEarth]

Glad you enjoy them! They are the work of Jon and I agree, they make it easier to visualise things! - Cheers, Duarte

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

wow nature also has some special surprises

[@MossyEarth]

Indeed! This one is particularly beautiful :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@braedenhallam9186]

This has been a killer project to follow since day 1, thank you so much for your dedicated work and sharing this with us! I'm curious to set how the ice affects the hydrologic regime of this forest and the timing/intensity of any spring freshet of the Danube area -- granted the temperatures remain cold for long enough to have the ice persist into late winter. A delayed or increase in the peak flow should theoretically shifting the timing and magnitude of the summer base flow, which we can see from studying regional hydrographs; including glacial, nival (snow-driven), hybrid ones. This can help reduce summer drought on this floodplain.

[@waxon2]

Thanks for the awesome update on your flooded forest project :)

[@jeffr2643]

I'm glad I'm a member for all the good you guys do

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Jeff! It is truly what makes the work possible. Not one big company or one wealthy person but a lot of us together and I think that's pretty cool! - Cheers, Duarte

[@iuliiavasiuta2740]

Great video, my favorite project is kelp forest, looking forward to see new videos there.

[@MossyEarth]

It will take a while for the new update on that one but it will come eventually! - Cheers, Duarte

[@lefterismplanas4977]

Your job is awesome!! Keep rewildimg this planet needs ya!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you! We will continue to do our best :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@ITroopTheSpace]

0:53 I remember the first time I saw that. Where I live in the south east US winters are relatively mild but December 2022 it stayed under freezing for over 3 days straight. Puddles and waterways froze, then the water receded leaving overhangs of ice everywhere. Beautiful sight really

[@matthewdavies5875]

Great work team! What a difference to when we were there in summer! Less mosquitos no doubt, too.

[@MossyEarth]

Looks a lot more enjoyable but Adriana certainly paid her dues during the bigger floods last year... - Cheers, Duarte

[@thekraken1173]

Wish you uploaded more

[@MossyEarth]

Working on it! We've been busy filming a lot. In terms of the editing we believe we can do weekly videos then next few months. We have a new setup now that should improve our upload rate! - Cheers, Duarte

[@norizzi]

So beautiful and the changes are amazing!! Thanks Mossy Team!!

[@catalinpaul2617]

I respect you all for your work and I wish you all health !

[@michaelbird2857]

This has been a really cool one to follow. Keep it up y’all!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Michael! - Cheers, Duarte

[@PaulCoxC]

Super interesting, and looks magical to visit. Definitely intriguing to think about it's under-studied affect on the ecosystem

[@glowandgrow23]

This is really interesting and an aspect of ecological understanding I hadn't considered before!

[@4louisMC]

Purely amazing!!!! Thank you so much for your incredible service to our environment❤

[@wooof.]

I get such a rush when Mossy Earth releases a new video!!! 😍

[@TheZmobie]

Looks so beautiful! Great job! You have my 100% support!

[@BeBraveToAct]

Coooool video as always ! Nice look into the history of the icing of the Danube. Very informative as usually . And cool shoots of an ice on flooded forest

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Dima! I imagine it was quite nice in Vienna too :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@BeBraveToAct]

@@MossyEarth ohh, you right ! I missed that in Vienna :)

[@Thomas201101]

This video is, in my view, the most interesting in the flooding series, because you also focussed on some historical and cultural aspects. Fantastic editing by the way.

[@TBIcel]

Hope to see more such projects along the Danube. I've got some medical tourism to do so I'll be seeing the river soon I hope albeit much further down stream.

[@ZeroTheHero92]

Wait for spring 🌱🌼

[@subashrayamajhi9581]

I feel so lucky just be audience of you and team members great work ❤...

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you my friend! We feel lucky to have you as part of our community :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@RussTillling]

Lovely video and people. Pleased to be a member 🥰

[@falcolf]

I freaking love this project so much ❤

[@MossyEarth]

Same here! Its such an immediate transformation :) I look forward to see the vegetation shift in the coming years now. - Cheers, Duarte

[@CptCh4os]

This is so incredible and beautiful!

[@joaquimbarbosa896]

Your projects sites are allways so beatifull and stunning

[@anniehill9909]

Thanks!

[@user-si1ov4ug3t]

It's going to be so healthy when spring comes. A hard freeze can be a very good thing.

[@tdu2supersport]

Have been waiting on this one since you teased it on insta, great video!

[@Left969]

This is so cool! I can’t wait to see it in a few years! I imagine it will be really good for this ecosystem!

[@JuiC30]

Our only Planet is so beautiful

[@MossyEarth]

Indeed! - Cheers, Duarte