About the project
Actions and expected results
The current alarming status of targeted wetland habitats and species of Community importance in Slovenia is a result of unsustainable management of wetlands over the past 50 years. Project field actions will include: re-establishment and/or revitalisation of hydrological conditions at project areas, removal of overgrowth, removal of invasive species, prevention of future habitat destruction and disturbance of targeted species, as well as purchase of land. In addition “Conservation guidelines” for project area management will be elaborated and incorporated into sectoral management plans or Management plans of the area, before the end of this project. Actions will assure a long term favourable conservation status of targeted wetland habitats and habitats of targeted species of Community importance in Slovenia.
The field actions will be supported by actions aimed at raising awareness of the importance of wetlands and its species and habitats for both, Natura 2000 network as well as biodiversity In general. The campaign will target land owners, local communities, visitors, general public as well as state and local public authorities. Project aims are going to be achieved by means of active involvement of project partners as well as external assistance.
Field actions will re-establish/revitalize favourable hydrological conditions at the following project areas: Pohorje bogs (Klopnovrška barja, Javorski vrh and Lovrenška barja), Zelenci, Vrhe, Gornji kal (ponds “Krivača” and “Kršeljevec”) and oxbows “Nagy Parlag” and “Muriša” at Mura Petišovci project area. Project areas: Klopnovrška barja” and “Javorski vrh” on Pohorje, Zelenci, Vrhe, Planik, Hrast pond on Gornji kal and oxbows “Nagy Parlag” and “Muriša” at Mura Petišovci project area will be cleared from overgrowth. The invasive fish species will be fished out from the Hrast pond at Gornji kal project area and out from the oxbow lakes “Nagy parlag”, “Muriša”, and “Csiko Legelo” at Mura Petišovci project area. Destruction of habitats by direct damage on Pohorje project area will be reduced on active raised bogs, Sphagnum spruce woods, natural dystrophic lakes and ponds, transition mires, alkaline fens, and depressions on peat substrates of the Rynchosporion. The disturbance of targeted species Tetrao tetrix, Tetrao urogallus and Emys orbicularis will be reduced. In addition destruction of the bog habitats transition mires and depressions on peat substrates of the Rynchosporion will be significantly reduced in the Zelenci project area.
As a result the extent of targeted habitats and habitats of targeted species are expected to be enlarged and/or quality and structure of bogs, mires, oxbows restored/improved as well as biodiversity of project areas increased. The most south-eastern distribution range of the habitat of Active raised bogs in the European Community will be re-established/revitalized. Also the habitat of the most southern populations of Black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) and capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in the Alpine region of the European Community will be re-established/revitalized and the disturbance of these species reduced significantly. The Mura river project area, one of the most important sites for habitat type oxbow lakes and species of Community interest in Slovenia: fish Umbra krameri, amphibians Bombina bombina and Triturus carnifex, dragonfly Leucorrhinia pectoralis and European pond turtle Emys orbicularis will be revitalized. Revitalized wetland habitats and habitats of wetland species will be less vulnerable to natural and human pressure and expected climate change.
Re-established favorable conservation status of targeted habitats and habitats of targeted species on project areas will also assist the conservation of targeted habitats and habitats of targeted species of Community importance in the whole European community.
“Conservation guidelines” for project area management will be incorporated into sectoral plans (forestry, fishery, water) or Management plans of the area, which will be adopted before the project end. Incorporation of “Conservation guidelines” into sectoral management plans and/or Management plans of the area, will assure active ongoing management of project areas after the end of the project. Establishment of an integrated systematic approach for standing freshwater wetlands management in the Republic of Slovenia will have a demonstrative value for the conservation of favourable conservation status of other standing freshwater habitats and habitats of species of Community interest in Slovenia included in the Natura 2000 network.
In addition, the community awareness about the importance of wetland, its species and habitats, Natura 2000 network and biodiversity will be increased for land owners, visitors, general public, local community, local and national authorities.
