PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Upper Palatinate, in the east of Bavaria, hosts Germany’s only known reproducing population of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). This very rare bat species is threatened with extinction throughout Central Europe, and populations are now declining in other regions of Europe. This contrasts with the situation for other bat species, where population decline seems to have been halted. Other populations of so called ‘maternity roosts’ (i.e. where the females produce young communally) of the greater horseshoe bat are known in Central Europe only in Switzerland(3) Luxemburg (1), Austria (1) and a few in Slovakia and Northern Hungary. The number of individuals in Upper Palatinate is increasing – with 67 bats in total and 31 adult females in the maternity roost in 2011. However, this is still a long way from the desired number of 1000 individuals, spread across several colonies, which is considered to be the minimum for a stable population. The sole maternity roost in Bavaria is located in an old house in the municipality of Hohenburg, which has been renovated in a bat-friendly way over the last years, but the surrounding area also needs to be improved.
OBJECTIVES
The Grosse Hufeisennase Bayern projects main objectives were:
RESULTS
The Grossee Hufeisennase Bayern project succeeded in strengthened the only German population of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), in the east of Bavaria. By its end, the project aimed at having a colony comprising 100 greater horseshoe bats in the maternity roost; but in the summer of 2018, 160 bats were counted in the maternity roost.
A key component of this success was to improve foraging areas by reinstating a traditional extensive grazing system on more than 60 ha. This management was secured for at least 20 years on a minimum of 50 ha, to provide food (insects) for the target bat species. Instead of the planned 14 ha, the project cleared forests or transformed land to wood pasture on nearly 24 ha. Shrubs were cleared on an additional 30 ha to improve pastures for grazing. The project also initiated an enlargement of the Natura 2000 site Lauterachtal by over 30 ha.
However, besides these very positive achievements in habitat management for the target species, in summer 2017 and 2018 the project had to contend with predators diminishing the population of the target species. Particularly, sparrowhawks hunted bats around the bat house in the evening. This is reflected in a decrease in adult bats from 184 (2017) to 160 (2018). The beneficiary is still working on improvements around the bat house to protect the target species from being caught. This development with the predators reflects the ongoing vulnerability of this single population of greater horseshoe bats in Germany. On the other hand, it shows how urgent action was needed to improve the situation for this species, as it shows, that a single factor can again easily endanger the population.
In addition to helping increase the population of the target bat species,the restoration of wood pastures also proved to be beneficial for endangered plants species as the monitoring of the vegetation revealed. The clearance of shrubs and trees allowed valuable grassland sites to re-establish, with a positive effect for many rare plant species.
The re-implementation of the extensive grazing system is important for rural development and is an agri-environmentally acceptable land use (organic farming). It has enabled the landscape to became much more diverse, and attractive to visitors and local people alike. Due to the support of the people of the local commune for the LIFE project and its work to protect the target bat species, Hohenburg was declared a 'Natura 2000 commune' in January 2018 during a ceremony in Munich.
Project actions raised awareness about the rare target bat species with its single occurrence. The greater horseshoe bat population became quite famous, at least in Bavaria, due to the projects dissemination activities. The bat is proving to be a good flagship species to promote a diverse, extensive and organic agriculture.
The upgrading of the bat house to an information centre and the implementation of the hiking trails improved significantly the touristic attractiveness of a very rural and somewhat remote area of Bavaria. This supports the local economy.
The project has an important demonstration value, with an approach that can be transferred to similar projects, in particular the cooperation with authorities managing a military training area for the purpose of nature conservation. The implementation of wood pastures and its acceptance by foresters is exemplary for Germany.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
