Adaptive community based management of forest and farming landscapes to improve the conservation status of Natura 2000 habitats and species

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

In Estonia, half of the mainland territory is covered by forests and about one fourth is covered by agricultural land. About half of the protected EU habitats and species in Estonia, based on the last Article 17 report of the Habitats Directive, are considered to be in favourable conservation status. With regards to bird species, in the EU, almost 50% of grassland-related bird species are declining or are in unfavourable status, and the situation is the same in Estonia. The assessments also show a declining number of pollinators. The main pressures and threats to forest and farmland species and habitats have been changing forestry and agricultural practices, the decline of traditional and extensive land-use, climate change, changes to natural hydrological regimes, and urbanisation. More and more people have moved to the bigger cities and rural areas are sparsely populated, mainly by elderly people who are relatively inactive. Farmlands are used by bigger companies or farmers who are using large areas for growing monocultures that are managed intensively with the goal of making as much profit as possible. Small farming is not so popular and necessary any more. Therefore, there is a need for a common management approach and cross-sectoral cooperation in the field of nature conservation, to improve common understanding and implementation of different guidelines and actions. As one third of Estonian Natura 2000 network sites are located on private land, better involvement of landowners is crucial in achieving nature conservation objectives.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the LIFE-IP ForEst&FarmLand project is to implement the most critical part of the Estonian Prioritised Actions Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 relating to forests and agricultural land. The management of Natura 2000 sites has so far been based on mostly bans and restrictions, which creates a negative image of nature conservation. One goal of this project will be to change the management of Natura 2000 sites towards more adaptive conservation measures/practices.

LIFE-IP ForEst&FarmLand aims to:

improve the conservation status of forest and farmland habitats and species to achieve results that benefit whole ecosystems;

improve conservation practices and collaboration between administrative authorities; and

raise awareness and capacity of main stakeholders and general public, including the use of innovative tools and solutions.

In addition to the IP budget itself, the project will facilitate the coordinated use of over 70 000 000 of complementary funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), EU Cohesion Funds, Horizon 2020, European Economic Area and Norwegian Financial Mechanism, State Funding and other financial programmes.

RESULTS

Expected results: The implementation of the LIFE-IP ForEst&FarmLand project is expected to result in the adoption and promotion of best practices for the management of the Natura 2000 network in Estonia, as well as the development and introduction of a versatile range of conservation tools and methods.

The main outcomes will include:

developed action plans for different types of habitats and pollinator species;

updated subsidy system for semi-natural habitats;

implemented range of effective biodiversity-friendly measures + CAP support;

training system developed 4 study trips organised for 40 people;

participatory planning processes, including at least 30 farmers/farming companies;

completed restoration projects for wet and dry forest habitats and for 20 coastal areas (restored forest habitats on 4 000 ha);

restoration of 3 500 ha of wet forest habitats;

improved forest structure and composition by cuttings and planting on 500 ha of dry forest habitats;

restoration of 1 000 ha of semi-natural grasslands, including 20 pilot sites in coastal areas;

restoration or creation of 100 small water bodies in agricultural landscapes;

eradication of invasive alien species - Fallopia spp. in 12, Solidago spp. in eight, Symphoricarpos albus in 12 and Sorbaria sorbifolia in 12 pilot plots;

at least 500 ha purchased and dedicated to conservation; and

Estonian PAF for Natura 2000 prepared for the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) period 2028+.