PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The 633-hectare project area covers nine sub-sites within eight Natura 2000 sites. It is home to three priority habitat types: Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands, Pannonic loess steppic grasslands and Pannonic sand steppes. While dry grasslands are generally in good conservation status and comprise many protected species, they nevertheless face several risks, including spontaneous reforestation, the spread of invasive species and human impacts and disturbance.
Land use related to dry grasslands has changed significantly in recent decades, as extensive livestock farming has declined sharply in Hungary. Consequently, these habitats are now threatened by spontaneous reforestation on many sites. Without urgent intervention, this process will result in the radical shrinkage, or even complete disappearance, of the dry grassland habitats.
Another problem is the spread of invasive species, such as black locust, black pine and common milkweed, which are having an adverse impact on seven project sub-areas. For a number of economic and historical reasons, the use of grasslands in Hungary often militates against the maintenance of these habitats. Project areas are especially affected by the use of illegal roads, urban waste and illegal mining.
OBJECTIVES
The HUGRASSLANDSLIFE project's main objective was to protect three target priority for conservation habitat types listed in the Habitats Directive – sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands, Pannonic loess steppic grasslands and Pannonic sand steppes – by :
- Eliminating shrubs and of invasive species;
- Purchasing land in order to ensure adequate nature conservation management; and
- Mitigation of negative effects related to human activities (illegal road use, depositing of urban waste and illegal mining) in the project area.
RESULTS
The HUGRASSLANDSLIFE project carried out a range of activities to protect three target priority habitat types – sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands, Pannonic loess steppic grasslands and Pannonic sand steppes. Specific results include:
- Non-arboreal invasive plant species eliminated from 34.8 ha (planned: 24.4 ha);
- Arboreal invasive species eliminated from 62;22 ha (planned: 54.5 ha);
- Indigenous shrubs eliminated from 131 ha (planned: 118 ha);
- 13 ha of former arable lands and highly degraded grasslands restored (planned: 17 ha);
- Around 164 ha (planned: 192.1 ha) of dry grasslands purchased and 21,06 ha (planned:21,06 ha) requested from another state organisation and dedicated to nature conservation definitively;
- 466.9 tonnes (planned: 780 m3) of urban waste transported from dry grasslands;
- An illegal sand pit closed and mitigated;
- 15 gates (planned: 25) established to stop illegal traffic on four project sites (planned: 2 project sites);
- A project site officially declared as ex-lege nature protected area; and
- Two project sites previously used by the military, declared safe from hazardous military ammunition and waste.
As planned, management activities were carried out, along with reconstruction activities and the regeneration of grassland. The project opened two new study trails in the target sites, as well as renewing two existing trails; brochures on the trails were published, while a smartphone App was also developed to inform visitors. Four special guided tours were held.
The project was particularly successful in engaging the public, with more than 600 (planned: 320) volunteers participating in 26 events (planned: 16) and nature conservation activities. A professional workshop was also organised and awareness-raising publications produced, including five issues of a newsletter.
The project contributed for the implementation of the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species. It targeted two species of the List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern, the Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and the Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Although the main target species of the project, the Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is not on this EU list, this tree species really acts as one of the biggest threats to biodiversity especially for the Pannonic dry habitats in Hungary.
project carried out a range of activities to protect three target priority habitat types – sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands, Pannonic loess steppic grasslands and Pannonic sand steppes. Specific results include:
- Non-arboreal invasive plant species eliminated from 34.8 ha (planned: 24.4 ha);
- Arboreal invasive species eliminated from 62;22 ha (planned: 54.5 ha);
- Indigenous shrubs eliminated from 131 ha (planned: 118 ha);
- 13 ha of former arable lands and highly degraded grasslands restored (planned: 17 ha);
- Around 164 ha (planned: 192.1 ha) of dry grasslands purchased and 21,06 ha (planned:21,06 ha) requested from another state organisation and dedicated to nature conservation definitively;
- 466.9 tonnes (planned: 780 m3) of urban waste transported from dry grasslands;
- An illegal sand pit closed and mitigated;
- 15 gates (planned: 25) established to stop illegal traffic on four project sites (planned: 2 project sites);
- A project site officially declared as ex-lege nature protected area; and
- Two project sites previously used by the military, declared safe from hazardous military ammunition and waste.
As planned, management activities were carried out, along with reconstruction activities and the regeneration of grassland. The project opened two new study trails in the target sites, as well as renewing two existing trails; brochures on the trails were published, while a smartphone App was also developed to inform visitors. Four special guided tours were held.
The project was particularly successful in engaging the public, with more than 600 (planned: 320) volunteers participating in 26 events (planned: 16) and nature conservation activities. A professional workshop was also organised and awareness-raising publications produced, including five issues of a newsletter.
The project contributed for the implementation of the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species. It targeted two species of the List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern, the Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and the Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Although the main target species of the project, the Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is not on this EU list, this tree species really acts as one of the biggest threats to biodiversity especially for the Pannonic dry habitats in Hungary.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
