Abstract
Along many rivers and their floodplains in South Tyrol numerous restoration projects have been carried out over the last years. The Abteilung für Wasserschutzbauten (department for the engineering of water protection) of the Autonomous Province of Bozen produced documentations of the measures which have not been published so far. On this basis a comprehensive synthesis has been compiled, evaluating altogether 21 projects and applying the criteria of the Society for Ecological Restoration (such as reasons for and aims of the restoration, limiting factors). The analysis showed that the restoration very frequently includes the removal of former regulation measures. One of the major aims was the reestablishment of retention areas and habitats typical for rivers including their biodiversity. Mostly, the measures comprised the creation of preconditions for natural succession. One of the main constraints, however, is the lack of a monitoring of the restoration success enabling a reflection of success and errors in the projects.