06 – Clusters of tree stumps for a river with more structures

As part of the Ticino River renaturation project, several clusters of snags have been installed: groups of roots and logs positioned along the banks or in floodplains.

These man-made elements mimic wood naturally carried by the river and play a key role in improving habitat quality.

Each cluster consists of tree stumps with intact root systems, partially buried in the ground and oriented in various ways. The irregular shape creates roughness and cavities that provide shelter for fish, amphibians, insects and small mammals. Some logs are secured in the riverbed or on the banks to withstand floods and maintain their functionality over time.

The benefits are manifold

• Ecological: they promote biodiversity by creating wet, shaded or submerged microhabitats
• Hydraulic: they locally slow the current and dampen the energy of the water
• Geomorphological: they trap fine sediments and reduce erosion

In combination with other measures such as irregular breakwaters or experimental bends, clusters of tree stumps represent a functional, resilient and life-rich approach to river management.