PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Alkaline fens in southern Poland are of great ecological importance, and are listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. They contain many rare, extremely sensitive and endangered plant species, in particularly, those listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. However, the alkaline fens have been subject to a continuous process of degradation over the past few decades, due to drainage, eutrophication and intensive agricultural practices, among other factors. Therefore, there is an urgent need for action to protect the priority alkaline fens habitat and the species it contains.
OBJECTIVES
The AlkFens_S_PLife project aimed to maintain or improve the conservation status of the majority of alkaline fens in the south of Poland. Its objective was to contribute to the conservation of the full geographical and regional diversity of the habitat, especially small fens and fen-springs in the Carpathians and Lublin region. It aimed help conserve key localities of fen orchid (Liparis loeselii) and other rare plant species of alkaline fens. The strategic objective of the project was to stop habitat degradation processes, and to improve and to maintain the favourable conservation status of alkaline fens in southern Poland as a habitat for many unique plant species, particularly those listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive.
The specific objectives of the project were to:
- Prevent excessive drainage and to raise the water table in areas of alkaline fens;
- Inhibit mineralisation and eutrophication of the surface peat layer;
- Halt the loss of biodiversity in alkaline fens due to the expansion of species from habitats with lower humidity, such as grasses, trees and shrubs;
- Propagate alkaline fens protection methods within management plans based on scientific knowledge, with particular emphasis on hydroecologic aspects;
- Promote the protection of alkaline fens as the refuge of rare and endangered species, which can also serve as regional and local attractions;
- Create a group of people interested in the long-term protection of alkaline fens; and
- Encourage farmers and other stakeholders to apply extensive mowing in the future.
RESULTS
The AlkFens_S_PLife project team helped halt the degradation process of alkaline fens in southern Poland, and improved and maintained their conservation status. These fens are home to many rare, extremely-sensitive and endangered plant species (particularly species from Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive).
The project team achieved its goal by:
- Removing trees and shrubs from an area of approximately 70 ha of alkaline fens.
- Mowing 151 ha for restoration of extensive use.
- Building 65 devices (mostly valves) and an anti-filtration wall which replaces at least 20 valves (out of 85 valves planned) to improve water conditions.
- Purchasing 2.92 ha of the most valuable alkaline fens for nature conservation purpose.
- Preparing 23 sets of documentation for inclusion in conservation plans for 23 Natura 2000 sites (where alkaline fens occur).
- Equipping 15 people with the necessary knowledge and experience to implement activities for conservation of alkaline fens (12 staff project partners and some sub-contractors)
- Collecting hydrological and phyto-sociological monitoring data from fen areas, compiling it in a database, and publishing a scientific report based on an analysis of the data.
- Organising materials and events to enable stakeholders to learn about the project and the importance of alkaline fens, including Monograph of Habitat 7230 and Good Practice Guidebook on alkaline fens conservation (in Polish and English) which summarise the project experience.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
