PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Pannonian grasslands were formed through centuries of extensive grassland management practices, especially through extensive grazing. The grasslands and steppes found in Hungary are of a unique character and are listed as priority habitats in the Habitats Directive. The project targets six of these habitat types, including Pannonic steppic grasslands, sand steppes and salt steppes.
As a result of the EU accession negotiations, Hungary receives very few structural funds for extensive and nature conservation-friendly management practices (CAP II pillar), and mainly receives funds for intensive agricultural practices (CAP I pillar). Consequently, farmers feel encouraged to change the management of their grasslands by either intensifying its use, ploughing and applying fertilisers, or abandoning all management and letting the grasslands revert to forest. Both courses of action are threatening the existence of the Pannonian grasslands.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the project were to:
The project aimed to restore, conserve and sustainably manage 720 ha of six characteristic grasslands and steppes in the Pannonian Biogeographic Region. The development of economically and ecologically sustainable management plans was foreseen for each habitat type and practical management with grazing, mowing, hydrological works and clearing of overgrowth were envisaged. The aim was to disseminate information on best practice management to land managers, farmers and the general public, and to encourage the application of these practices on patches of existing habitats as well as in agricultural areas.
Based on the project results, the Land Stewardship Advisory Service of BirdLife Hungary (LSAS) aimed to provide knowledge, information and consultation services to daily managers of the project sites and to the farmers in buffer zones around the Natura 2000 areas. After the project, LSAS aimed to continue to provide these services to the land managers.
RESULTS
The project focused on six Natura 2000 sites (Leányvári löszvölgy, Nagydorogi szenes legelo, Darányi borókás, Tószegi legelo, Vértesboglári legelo and Belsobárándi löszvölgy) containing the targeted habitat priority types:1530 Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes, 2340 Pannonic inland dunes, 6240 Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands 6250 Pannonic loess steppic grasslands and 6260 Pannonic sand steppes.
Despite a very difficult start and severe management problems, all the main project measures and activities were completed in accordance with the revised project proposal:
The project developed a unique online database on grassland management that contains very valuable information, which is accessible to the public.
A policy paper on the sustainable management of Hungarian grasslands was also developed within the scope of the project. The document was negotiated with and accepted by relevant ministries. This document will serve as a first step towards the professional planning of grassland management and a national strategy for conservation and use of grassland habitats.
Other results of the project included: