Osmoderma eremita species conservation in SCI Pood

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Natura 2000 site ‘Poodří’ (SCI) in the Czech Republic is the most important site for the hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita), a priority species for conservation under the Habitats Directive. Located in the Moravskoslezský region, and in the area of Moravská Brána (Moravian Gate), this is an important migration corridor between the Pannonian and Continental biogeographical regions. However, the current conservation status of the hermit beetle population in the SCI, as all across Europe, is ‘unfavourable’ because of the loss and fragmentation of habitat and the isolation of micro-populations. In the project site, the species mostly lives in old pollarded willows, though sometimes in other tree species. The willows have not been managed for many years and so only very old trees remain suitable for the species. Without restoration of the traditional pollarding management, the habitat of the hermit beetle will soon disappear.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the LIFE Osmoderma 2017 project is to improve the conservation status of hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita) in the Natura 2000 site ‘Poodří’.

Specific objectives are to:

Restore typical habitat for hermit beetle in the area, by pollarded willows;

Connect isolated sites of hermit beetle occurrence within the ‘Poodří’ Natura 2000 site by planting suitable tree species;

Create ‘stepping stones’ connecting the ‘Poodří’ with other localities where hermit beetle occurs, in the direction of the natural migration corridor;

Mitigate invasion of mistletoe, which is endangering the second most common habitat of hermit beetle in the area – linden trees;

Support preservation of standing cavity-trees and dead trees; and

Establish an appropriate management of biotopes and create socio-economic conditions for long-term ‘favourable’ conservation status of hermit beetle.

The project directly implements the Habitats Directive, under which the target species is a priority for conservation (Osmoderma eremita).

Expected results:

570 willows pollarded in the ‘Poodří’ Natura 2000 site;

Isolated localities of the hermit beetle connected by 1 590 planted trees (willows, poplars, oaks and pears) within the Natura 2000 site;

60 willows managed and 430 trees planted in places near the Natura 2000 site;

145 linden trees managed to remove infesting mistletoe;

180 mature oaks managed; and

Awareness raised among stakeholders about biodiversity protection in ‘Poodří’ SCI.