Project pilot areas
Overview of the implemented activities
HYDROLOGY
CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS
Activities on Pohorje project area (PA) involved construction of wooden dams on drainage/melioration ditches. Altogether we put up 87 dams of which 38 dams were A-type and 49 dams were B-type. Dams were put up also on Lovrenška jezera bogs.
RESTORATION OF SMALLER WATER AREAS (WATER BASINS)
In order to restore open water areas we dug out 6 water basins using a small excavator. Water areas were restored on marshy areas at Javorski vrh bogs (2 basins) and Klopni vrh bogs (4 basins). Weather conditions were very favorable due to very low amounts of rain during the summer. Consequently, excavation left almost no damage on the terrain.
MONITORING OF GROUND WATER LEVEL
Within the project we systematically began monitoring ground water level. In July 2012 we established 22 measuring sites on two areas (Javorski vrh bogs, Klopni vrh bogs).
OVERGROWTH REMOVAL
Selective removal of overgrowth at Pohorje PA (Javorski vrh bogs and Klopni vrh bogs) began in autumn 2012. Removal was performed on the basis of expertise on overgrowth removal and in accordance with award, issued by Slovenia forest service. Majority of actions on Javorski vrh bogs were completed in 2012, also with the help of two volunteer overgrowth removal actions. Removal of felled overgrowth on Klopni vrh bogs was virtually impossible due to soaked terrain.
In 2013 we carried on with activities mainly on Klopni vrh bogs. All wood mass, felled in 2012, needed to be removed from the area in the first phase. In 2013, overgrowth removal began in July and ended in September. Forest roads were restored after overgrowth was removed. Altogether, overgrowth was removed on the area of 8,5 ha.
In October 2013 we marked the trees and bushes that needed to be cut on Ostruščica bog. On 15th of October we organized volunteer overgrowth removal action and just under 100 high school students from Slovenj Gradec attended. Overgrowth removal on Ostruščica bog will be completed in the summer of 2014.
PREVENTION OF DISTURBANCE OF SPECIES AND HABITAT DESTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION OF WOODEN FOOT-PATH
Majority of activities regarding the construction of wooden foot-trail was done in 2012 from July on. Activities followed the plan we carefully prepared in advance. Foot-trail was made of European larch (Larix decidua) which was not impregnated. Foot-trail is 80 cm wide, individual elements are fixed with steel nails.
Length of foot-trails:
Ribniško jezero bog – 175 meters;
Lovrenško jezero bog – 664 meters;
Črno jezero bog – 864 meters.
Altogether, 1.703 meters of foot-trail was (re)built (project application form suggested 750 meters). We constructed four (4) platforms with wooden railing, which also serves as benches and allows visitors to take a break. We used 2.264 pieces / 147 m3 of treated wood, which is equal to 250 m3 of timber or 12 large forest trucks. Average weight of each element is 40 kilograms.
Our contractor, GG Slovenj Gradec, had strong support in local environment. Stakeholders from this area (individuals, alpine societies, touristic societies, firemen, cottage administrators, municipalities, Slovenian Armed Forces, project partners) were recognized as key actors in foot-trail renewal.
All activities on Črno jezero bog were carried out on a voluntary basis (Slovenska Bistrica Alpine society, Lipa Kebelj Tourist society, Slovenian Armer Forces – 670th Logistics battalion from Slovenska Bistrica and 74th Motorized battalion from Maribor). Together, 2.900 effective work hours have been done. Among volunteers were also members of neighboring alpine societies from Pohorje area and Alpine Association of Slovenia (Commission for the Protection of Mountain Nature). Documentary shooting featured members of Alpine Society board Podravje – trail markers.
We completed foot-trail on Črno jezero bog (app. 70 meters at entrance point/parking space), built wooden platform and put up several wooden benches. We removed old bridge over the Črnava stream and remains of old wooden trail.
We are carrying on with creation of two experimental polygons. One educational-experimental trail is planned at Ostruščica bog (direct vicinity of Rogla) and it will depict bogs, forest and grasslands. It is a part of Pohorje 2030 Vision. Trail is made of spruce wood and it was built in September 2013 in the length of 180 meters and width of 80 cm. Right by the lake we also built a wooden railing, which also serves as a bench for presentation (eg. education on wetlands).
The other object of this kind is planned in the area of foot-trail Črno jezero. With this, Pohorje area is becoming an area of quality tourist- and experimental trails on wetlands, which can be a part of educational process.
LOOKOUT TOWER AND INFORMATION BOARDS RENEWAL
Renewal of the observation tower at Lovrenška jezera bogs began in July 2013. Work has been done in quick and quality manner. As a part of renewal we:
• changed wooden railings and panels made of boards;
• changed wooden stairs;
• changed wooden floor on upper and lower platform;
• covered the roof with boards (double cover);
• repaired the lightning rod.
At Ribniško jezero, Lovrenška jezera, Ostruščica, Rogla and Črno jezero (Osankarica) bogs we put up wooden construction for equipping the trails with renewed information boards and regimes.
VISITORS' SURVEILLANCE
In the end of September 2011 we installed visitor counters on three locations (Ribniško jezero, Lovrenška jezera, Črno jezero). From then on we continuously monitor the number and distribution of visitors. We change batteries and download data twice a year. Number of visitors increases in summer months with August being the peak month (summer holidays). In August 2012, number of visitors was higher than in August 2013. We believe that renewal of the wooden trails could be the cause of that (in August 2013 the renovation was at its highest at Lovrenška jezera and Črno jezero bogs). Due to high snowfall and instable weather conditions there were less visitors between January and May 2013. Maximum daily visit at Lovrenška jezera bogs in 2013 was recorded on 15th of August (Assumption day) when 1105 visitors came. On the same day maximum number of visitors visited Ribniško jezero bog as well (399 visitors). Most visitors came to Črno jezero bog in 28th of April (686 visitors).
IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURE CONSERVATION GUIDELINES INTO SECTOR PLANS
In 2013 we were focusing our energy in implementing nature conservation guidelines and content into forestry sector (forest management plans). In January and May 2013 we had two meetings on the possibility of implementation of the guidelines into Mislinja forest management plan and municipal spatial plan for the Municipality of Mislinja. In May 2013 we also had a meeting on the implementation of the guidelines into project activities within Koroška Regional development programme.
PUBLIC AWARRENESS
We have had number of meetings with mayors and municipality authorities. We prepared Pohorje 2030 Vision Exhibition at number of places (Maribor, Zreče,...). We organized excursions for students of primary and high schools and also a lecture for public audience.
We decided on how, where and what sort of information boards we will put up. For all locations (Ribniško jezero, Lovrenška jezera, Ostruščica, Rogla and Črno jezero bogs) we prepared standing points and layout of the boards and pictograms.
