Project pilot areas
Overview of the implemented activities
ANALYSIS AND INVENTORIES
Within the project implementation we determined the parameters for water analysis in Zelenci spring (contractor:
National Institute of Biology). Later, we also performed a chemical analysis of a snow sample.
Water analysis:
• June 2011: determination of the parameters for water analysis with The Institute of Public Health Kranj;
• October 2011: start of discussions with The Institute for water of the republic of Slovenia (project partner) about carrying out hydrological studies of Zelenci area and carrying out the water analysis;
• February 2012: we got the offer for water and snow chemical analysis;
• Marec 2012: Snow- and water sampling for chemical analysis;
• May 2012: We got the results of the analysis.
NATURE CONSERVATION GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT PLAN AND MANAGEMENT PLAN ITSELF
Nature conservation guidelines for Zelenci management plan are a scientific basis for the determination of concrete management measures, which are listed in Zelenci management plan. They include physical description, description of nature conservation content, which is protected within the protected area and description of activities carried out at Zelenci area.
Zelenci management plan is primarily designed with the aim to manage Zelenci area as a Nature 2000 site while also addresses other contents of protected area: nature reserve, ecologically protected area and valuable natural features.
Management plan is the basic document for area development and management in the future, until 2030. Considering the vision and strategic goals we set the operational goals and measures more specifically, the later as the most concretized activities in order to achieve the set objectives.
Preparing the management plan we considered the aspects of all stakeholders (land owners, locals, local community) and legal background. In order to obtain comments and suggestions we presented the management plan draft at a public hearing. Content of the Management plan considers guidelines from the series of workshops, organized in order to include landowners and general public.
The management plan has been prepared to an appropriate level of accuracy. Special attention goes to preserving the hydrological conditions (construction of gravel-catchers), preserving water quality (analysis of water and recognition of potential sources of eutrophication), guidance and animation of visitors (renewal and upgrade of the footpath and info boards, preparation of educational materials, comprehensive arrangement of entry points in a nature reserve area) and preventing the process of overgrowing (overgrowth removal). In buffer area, special attention goes to potential sources of contamination and interference in the catchment areas of small torrents which threaten Zelenci area with large amounts of gravel and mud. Agricultural land owners in protected and buffer area are encouraged to engage in appropriate agri-environmental measures (AEM).
Upon implementation of the measures envisaged in the plan they will be properly planned and coordinated at the operative level as well. Every consensus and/or permit necessary will be obtained. Professional institutions, local organizations (institutes, societies) and individuals from specific sectors will be included in the implementation of professional tasks.
On the basis of Management plan, five-year work plans for operators (set by the Regulation on Zelenci National reserve) are determined. Management plan was presented to the Municipal council of the Municipality of Kranjska Gora, which also confirmed the plan.
GRAVEL-CATCHER
Zelenci nature reserve is part of a wider hydrogeographical space. It is the accumulation point of Tamar valley, southern slopes of the Karavanke muntains and northern slopes of Julijske Alpe mountains. Most of the inflow is underground (ground water) while during heavy rainfall water also flows in the Zelenci area on surface in a form of torrents. Nadiža, biggest torrent in area, comes from Tamar valley and it transports a lot of debris. Occasionally it brings bigger ammounts of gravel, sand and mud right into Sava Dolinka spring. Several torrents also come from the slopes of Vitrans and Ciprnik hills and they also occasionally cover Zelenci or meadows nearby with gravel. Damage can also occur on a local road or even infrastructure underneath it. In general, Karavanke torrents are less dangerous but that can change quickly. Torrents’ power is in very high correlation with the activities in their hinterland: forest management, construction of forest roads and other objects (Planica), clearcutting, etc. Man tries to mitigate the influence of torrents with gravel-catchers. On Nadiža torrent there already is one gravel-catcher. Other torrents don’t have them yet, although they are planned for over a decade.
Within the WETMAN project we built a gravel catcher on Čošeljnev graben, torrent which flows direcly into Tomfe and Zelenci Lake. High waters often buried this most picturesque part of natural reserve with gravel. It is located directly under cycling path. In order to ensure the flow under the cycling path we had to build a new bridge, slide above him and a channel to the gravel catcher. Construction site was 110 meters long and the capacity of the gravel catcher is 220 m3.
We obtained building permit, landowners’ consensus and other necessary paperwork. On the basis of the geodetic project which was prepared by The Institute for water of the republic of Slovenia, our contractor VGP Kranj did all the works. Due to good weather conditions works have been completed without any delays or troubles. Soon after the completion of the work torrent already brought some gravel in the gravel catcher. The design of the gravel catcher allows it to withstand “a 100-year floods”.
During the construction all terms and conditions have been considered. We also took special care due to the construction in the nature reserve area. Contractor used natural materials with minimum use of concrete. We removed only the trees absolutely necessary. Placement of rocks on the inner slopes of the gravel catcher allows quick overgrowth. Grass will be planted on the outer and upper surface of the gravel catcher in the spring.
OVERGROWTH REMOVAL
Overgrowth of the Zelenci area is a natural process. This area used to be a lake, which is proved by first graphical records. For decades and centuries locals have obstructed this natural process with regular mowing and chopping wood. Nowadays, process of overgrowth is accelerated by the abandonment of this historical form of management and torrents occasionally bring in bigger amounts of gravel and mud. Areas with endangered and protected animal and plant species on it are also being overgrown.
In the current situation man cannot stop the process of overgrowth but we can slow it down in some smaller parts. On the basis of the analysis we defined areas where it would make sense to remove the overgrowth. Because of wet ground use of mechanical gear is virtually impossible, while on the other hand doing that by hand is physically very tough. In addition, one has to wait for favorable weather conditions (as dry as possible) and avoid nesting and breeding period in the spring. In autumn 2013 we removed overgrowth on the surface of almost 2 ha. Prior to grubbing we discussed with landowners and obtained their consensus and some terms. We will continue with the removal in winter 2014-2015.
INFO BOARDS AND BENCHES
In October 2013 we renewed info boards for visitors. We made six (6) new info boards, which cover geological, hydrological, ecosystem, botanical and zoological features of the area. One info board represents the meaning of wetlands and their conservation. We also put up smaller plates to mark the edge of nature reserve and plates to guide the visitors over the circular path. In the past, many visitors used to feed fish and birds in the Zelenci spring – in response we put up a new warning sign which prohibits this action. We renewed two wooden benches along the cycling path.
COMMUNICATION, LEAFLETS…
We carried out the communication about Zelenci, WETMAN project and importance of wetlands through articles in local, national in international paper, lectures and excursions on Zelenci area. So far, we have published 20 articles (9 in local, 2 in national and 1 in international paper, 8 on projects’ website). We carried out five (5) excursions for students of primary schools and high schools and one (1) two-day research camp (in collaboration with Triglav national park and Odonatological society of Slovenia).
In 2012 we published a leaflet about Zelenci area which addresses children and their parents. Besides the desription of the area and its features leaflet also features a didactic game in importance of wetlands. Shooting of a documentary film on wetlands (produced within the project) also took place on Zelenci area.
