PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Butterfly populations have declined in the project area, mainly due to the degradation and disappearance of highly diverse ecosystems, the abandonment of traditional forms of land use and the loss of landscape heterogeneity and connectivity. The intensification of farming has resulted in the creation of large homogenous grasslands, degradation of unique ecotone habitats (i.e. transitional areas of vegetation between two different plant communities), the decline of wetlands and wet meadows, and abandonment of less accessible localities. The main threats for target species and habitats in the project area include unsuitable farming and forestry practices, habitat fragmentation and small populations of target species.
OBJECTIVES
LIFE Metamorphosis focuses on the conservation of 16 butterfly species with unfavourable status, listed in Annexes II and IV of the EU Habitats Directive, in Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Particularly targeted is the Danube clouded yellow (Colias myrmidone) in central Romania, the rest of species are Callimorpha quadripunctaria (synonym Euplagia quadripunctaria), Euphydryas aurinia, Hypodryas maturna (synonym Euphydryas maturna), Eriogaster catax, Leptidea morsei, Lopinga achine, Lycaena dispar, Lycaena helle, Maculinea arion (synonym Phengaris arion), Maculinea nausithous (synonym Phengaris nausithous), Maculinea teleius (synonym Phengaris teleius), Parnassius mnemosyne, Parnassius apollo, Pseudophilotes bavius and Zerynthia polyxena. This is the first LIFE project to target butterflies in Romania. The project will also restore dry to semi-dry chalk grassland habitat, home to many of the target species and other important pollinators. It will not cover areas where conservation efforts have already been made, but rather enlarge the restored habitats or connect them via stepping stones. Work will take place in 30 sites of Community importance (SCIs) and 1 Special Area of Conservation (SAC - ROSAC0238, until the end of 2023 registered as ROSCI0238): 20 SCIs located in Slovakia, 9 SCIs and 1 SAC in Romania and 1 SCI in Hungary.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Restoration management of butterfly habitats carried out on at least 1,000 ha in 31 sites in 3 countries (6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates, 6510 Lowland hay meadows and 40A0 Subcontinental peri-Pannonic scrub), 30 km of wide edges between forests and grasslands restored as well as 30 wetlands and patches of bare soil and 31 localities planted with food plants;
- At least 30 ha of land purchased and a minimum of 70 ha leased;
- At least 8 populations of 6 butterfly species restored in localities where they are currently extinct, by rearing and releasing individuals or by translocation;
- 3 new localities included in the Natura 2000 network and 10 other sites classed as ‘insect biodiversity hotspots‘ under national law to improve the network of protected areas for butterflies in western Slovakia;
- Scientific data acquired on target species, especially on the genetic structure of populations targeted for restoration;
- Occurrence of target populations mapped, with an emphasis on searching for possible populations of C. myrmidone in Slovakia and Romania and ’insect biodiversity hotspots‘ for designation of new protected areas;
- Long-term management of habitats ensured and sustainable use of their ecosystem services in cooperation with local stakeholders through at least 2 agri-environmental schemes and land stewardship agreements (Slovakia and Romania);
- Innovative Biodiversity credits scheme development started in Romania with butterfly species;
- Increased awareness of stakeholders and the public on target species, conservation measures and their importance through a citizen science project on mapping butterflies and a number of dissemination activities (a school programme, 4 films, 30 volunteer events, 24 guided tours and 13 information panels);
- Best practices in butterfly conservation replicated at least 7 times with stakeholders in localities not targeted by the project;
- Project knowledge and know-how spread in different localities, regions and EU Member States where the target species occur, through participation in events, conferences and networking; and
- Links to the European Biodiversity Monitoring Scheme developed (Slovakia and Romania) and consolidated (Hungary).