x
Copied to clipboard!
LIFE Project Cover Photo

LIFE PODKOWIEC PLUS: back to the forest – holistic conservation of bat breeding habitats

Reference: LIFE20 NAT/PL/001427 | Acronym: LIFE+ PODKOWIEC TOWERS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

In Central and Eastern Europe, nine bat species listed in the annexes of the EU Habitats Directive are threatened by deteriorating roost conditions, increasing distances from roost sites to feeding areas, landscape fragmentation and the disappearance of tree and shrub belts serving as flight routes, artificial lighting, and human disturbance. The lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) is a flagship species for the conservative of endangered bats and their habitats, as it occurs in all target countries and has a history of successful interventions, which are acceptable to the public.


OBJECTIVES

The LIFE+ PODKOWIEC TOWERS project aims to improve the conservation status of nine endangered bat species in Central and Eastern Europe. The project team will implement actions to address the main threats to the breeding sites of these species in a holistic way, with a special focus on lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros).

Specific objectives are:

  1. Securing and enriching sites of high importance to key bat species;
  2. Shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach in bat protection;
  3. Expanding institutional support for the conservation of bats.

This project will help implement the EU Habitats Directive, by improving environmental conditions for nine Annex II bat species.



RESULTS

Expected results:

  • Improved maternity and winter roosts in 18 Natura 2000 sites in 4 countries;
  • Creation of 36 new roosts and 10 new habitat features in Slovakia;
  • Providing large replacement roosts and habitats near 10 of the most vulnerable roosts in Poland (10 towers, 100 bat huts, 5 hibernacula) – with two-thirds of these colonised within the project duration;
  • Enhanced feeding habitats in 6 Natura 2000 sites in Poland and Slovakia (enhancing oak pasture woodland, and restoration/creation of water ponds: 3 in Poland and 10 in Slovakia); and
  • Reduced human-bat conflicts in Poland, Slovakia, Romania and the Czech Republic.

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA


Reference: LIFE20 NAT/PL/001427
Acronym: LIFE+ PODKOWIEC TOWERS
Start Date: 01/10/2021
End Date: 30/09/2026
Total Eligible Budget: 4,924,974 €
EU Contribution: 2,954,984 €

CONTACT DETAILS


Coordinating Beneficiary: POLSKIE TOWARZYSTWO PRZYJACIóŁ PRZYRODY PRO NATURA
Legal Status: PNC
Address: PODWALE 75, 50-449, WROCŁAW,
Contact Person: RENATA PASZKIEWICZ
Email: Send Email
Website: Visit Website


LIFE Project Map

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED

THEMES

  • Awareness raising - Information
  • Forests
  • Mammals

KEYWORDS

  • environmental education
  • forest ecosystem
  • landscape protection
  • public awareness campaign
  • tourism
  • endangered species
  • monitoring
  • population dynamics
  • nature-based solutions

TARGET EU LEGISLATION

  • Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directive (21.05.1992)

SPECIES

Name Version
Rhinolophus mehelyi - Mammals v.2024
Myotis emarginatus - Mammals v.2024
Myotis capaccinii - Mammals v.2024
Rhinolophus hipposideros - Mammals v.2024
Rhinolophus euryale - Mammals v.2024
Barbastella barbastellus - Mammals v.2024
Myotis myotis - Mammals v.2024
Miniopterus schreibersii - Mammals v.2024
Myotis bechsteinii - Mammals v.2024

NATURA 2000 SITES

Code Name Type Version
Porțile de Fier ROSCI0206 SCI/SAC v.2021
Domogled - Valea Cernei ROSCI0069 SCI/SAC v.2021
Čechy pod Kosířem CZ0713723 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ruda nad Moravou CZ0713739 SCI/SAC v.2021
Gavurky SKUEV0201 SCI/SAC v.2021
Kamenna Baba SKUEV0207 SCI/SAC v.2021
Muranska planina SKUEV0225 SCI/SAC v.2021
Bradlo SKUEV0402 SCI/SAC v.2021
Pieniny PLC120002 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Bieszczady PLC180001 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Góry Stołowe PLH020004 SCI/SAC v.2021
Kopalnie w Złotym Stoku PLH020007 SCI/SAC v.2021
Góry Bialskie i Grupa Śnieżnika PLH020016 SCI/SAC v.2021
Pasmo Krowiarki PLH020019 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ostoja nad Bobrem PLH020054 SCI/SAC v.2021
Uroczyska Borów Dolnośląskich PLH020072 SCI/SAC v.2021
Góry Złote PLH020096 SCI/SAC v.2021
Dolina Prądnika PLH120004 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ostoja Popradzka PLH120019 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ostoje Nietoperzy okolic Bukowca PLH120020 SCI/SAC v.2021
Małe Pieniny PLH120025 SCI/SAC v.2021
Bednarka PLH120033 SCI/SAC v.2021
Czerna PLH120034 SCI/SAC v.2021
Nawojowa PLH120035 SCI/SAC v.2021
Łabowa PLH120036 SCI/SAC v.2021
Podkowce w Szczawnicy PLH120037 SCI/SAC v.2021
Krynica PLH120039 SCI/SAC v.2021
Niedzica PLH120045 SCI/SAC v.2021
Kościół w Węglówce PLH120046 SCI/SAC v.2021
Nowy Wiśnicz PLH120048 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ochotnica PLH120050 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ostoje Nietoperzy Beskidu Wyspowego PLH120052 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ostoje Nietoperzy Powiatu Gorlickiego PLH120094 SCI/SAC v.2021
Tylmanowa PLH120095 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ostoja Sławniowicko-Burgrabicka PLH160004 SCI/SAC v.2021
Góry Opawskie PLH160007 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ostoja Magurska PLH180001 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ostoja Jaśliska PLH180014 SCI/SAC v.2021
Rymanów PLH180016 SCI/SAC v.2021
Trzciana PLH180018 SCI/SAC v.2021
Kościół w Nowosielcach PLH180035 SCI/SAC v.2021
Kościół w Równem PLH180036 SCI/SAC v.2021
Kościół w Skalniku PLH180037 SCI/SAC v.2021
Beskid Śląski PLH240005 SCI/SAC v.2021
Kościół w Radziechowach PLH240007 SCI/SAC v.2021
Kościół w Górkach Wielkich PLH240008 SCI/SAC v.2021
Pierściec PLH240022 SCI/SAC v.2021
Ostoja Gorczańska PLH120018 SCI/SAC v.2021

PARTNERSHIPS

Name Status Type
 ČESON(Česká společnost pro ochranu netopýrů), Czech Republic ACTIVE Participant
 DGLP(Dyrekcja Generalna Lasów Państwowych), Poland ACTIVE Participant
 CCCL(Asociația Centrul pentru Cercetarea și Conservarea Liliecilor), Romania ACTIVE Participant
 SON(Spoločnosť pre ochranu netopierov na Slovensku Slovak Bat Conservation Society), Slovakia ACTIVE Participant
 POLSKIE TOWARZYSTWO PRZYJACIÓŁ PRZYRODY PRO NATURA ACTIVE Coordinator

READ MORE