PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Pannonian root vole (Microtus oeconomus mehelyi) is one of the most endangered small mammal species in Central Europe. As such it is in international conventions (Annex III of the Bern Convention) and a priority species for conservation under Annexes II and IV of the EU Habitats Directive, is restricted to a small area of the western Pannonian lowlands, in Hungary, Austria and Slovakia only, where it lives in moist habitats mainly with reed bed and sedge cover. It needs a stable water regime without extreme fluctuations (long–term dryness and floods). The overall population is heavily fragmented and susceptible to extinction. Although it is protected in all three countries, habitat loss and fragmentation remain a major threat. The main factors responsible are large-scale land reclamation and drainage schemes, the ploughing of lowland meadows, the draining of wetlands and the overall intensification of production patterns in agriculture and forestry.
OBJECTIVES
The general objective of the Microtus project was to improve the unfavourable conservation status of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus mehelyi). The aim was to develop a strategic basis for recovery of this priority species, by restoring or improving its preferred habitats on selected project sites.
Other specific objectives were:
RESULTS
The Microtus project's general objective was to improve the unfavourable conservation status of the root vole (M. o. mehelyi). Improvement of conservation conditions was achieved, although there was no increase in the overall population size. According to the coordinating beneficiary, this was due to more complex factors, such as the genetic isolation of local populations, population fluctuations, and expansion of a competitor species, the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). Nevertheless, at the end of the project, the population showed good signs of recovery, thanks to the implementation of the management actions, i.e. raised water level and regular management to prevent loss of suitable habitat.
Recovery was aided by the following main project achievements: the designation of the extension of the Natura 2000 network site, Čilížsky potok, the successful restoration of the Čilížsky potok brook (over a length of 33 km), the restoration of a total of over 500 ha of wetlands across the project sites, establishment of regular reed beds (155 ha) and grassland management (100 ha), and the creation of 10 km of biocorridors. In addition, 100 ha of land was purchased under the project, despite some challenges in land adjustments handling in Slovakia. As a consequence, a large part of the purchased land had to be bought from public bodies using non-LIFE funded sources.
The good results achieved concerning the land purchase and the nature conservation works were also aided by a successful communication campaign carried out by the LIFE team addressing local and national stakeholders and the general public. The Microtus project was successful in dissemination its results and significantly raised public awareness about this endangered small mammal species, for example, through an interactive exhibition which reached an audience of some 12 000 people.
On the downside, only limited hydrological and species’ monitoring was carried out to assess the impact of restoration actions at the Čilížsky potok brook. This was due to late accomplishment of the hydro-technical works; and for reasons already mentioned, only half of the foreseen land was purchased using the LIFE budget.
Concerning the project’s contribution to EU environmental policy/ implementation, it contributed directly to the implementation and priorities of the Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network. Furthermore the project contributed to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (e.g. concerning improving water quality) and to the Flood Protection Directive (e.g. covering flood protection zones, or water retention) through the restoration of the Čilížsky potok brook and wetlands. Furthermore it addressed the issue of implementation of the CAP on new areas, through the established grassland management.
Finally, the project has a high demonstration value: it was one of the first such initiatives focused principally on root vole- conservation. Its study on distribution, ecological and habitat preferences and DNA analysis applied several methodologies that had not been used in this context before. In addition, the re-opening of the Čilížsky potok brook after many years was a significant achievement – demonstrating a technical solution in nature conservation, reached through cooperation of many stakeholders and focus groups.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
