Conservation of black grouse as umbrella species for valuable habitats of the Orawsko-Nowotarskie Peat Bogs

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Orawsko-Nowotarskie peat bogs in Podhale, southern Poland, is a large complex of raised bogs, surrounded by swamp forests and extensively-farmed agricultural land, mostly hay meadows and pastures. This unique 8 500 hectare ecosystem provides important habitats for valuable plant, animal and fungi species, containing as it does 12 habitat types listed in Annex I and 14 animals listed in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive. The project area also contains three particularly threatened species listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive: the black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and corncrake (Crex crex).

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the LIFE CIETRZEW KARPATY PL project was to stop the decline in the ‘Torfowiska Orawsko-Nowotarskie’ Natura 2000 network site (specifically, the Orawsko-Nowotarskie peat bogs) of one of the largest black grouse populations in the country; and thus to secure the conservation of the species in the long-term. Active protection measures for the grouse habitats would contribute to the conservation of one of the largest raised bog complexes in Poland.

Specific project objectives were as follows:

To restore the proper structure and quality of black grouse habitats , i.e. the peat bogs, including the priority habitat type, active raised bogs;

To ensure that black grouse lekking sites (i.e. sites where males gather to engage in competitive displays during the mating season) are of sufficient quality and size. Most such sites are located in mountain hay meadow habitats;

To reduce disturbance and anthropogenic pressure on the grouse at their lekking sites;

To reduce black grouse predation by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes); and

To increase awareness of black grouse conservation and the importance of peat bog habitats among the local community.

 

Expected results: The project expected to achieve the following results:

An increase in the black grouse population from 30-40 males to 45-60 males;

Removal of invasive plant species (mainly Scots pine – Pinus sylvestris) from black grouse breeding and foraging habitats (peat bogs);

Improved structure and water levels of 300 ha of raised peat bogs;

Restoration of 1 ha of raised peat bog degraded by peat extraction;

Mowing of 200 ha of current and former black grouse meadow and grassland lekking sites;

A reduction in the number of red foxes in the project areas, with training of up to 50 representatives of hunting organisations to continue management of the main black grouse predator after LIFE;

Training of eight local volunteers to patrol project areas during the mating season and prevent disturbance at lekking sites;

Channeling of tourism activities in the project areas to avoid disturbing black grouse; and

Increased local awareness of black grouse conservation and the importance of peat bog habitats.

 

RESULTS

The LIFE CIETRZEW KARPATY PL project did not start.