Protect Species Actively by LIFE

BACKGROUND

Biodiversity loss is one of the most serious global challenges of our time. The main causes include habitat alteration and destruction, climate change, and the spread of invasive species. On the basis of the Species Red Lists for the Czech Republic (i.e. lists indicating species current threat status), it can be stated that about 18% of mammal species, 48% of bird species, 61% of reptile species, 59% of amphibian species, 45% of fish species, 52% of vascular plant species, and 43% of nonvascular plant species are threatened with declining numbers of individuals or extinction risk in the Czech Republic. Declining population levels, loss of natural habitats, habitat degradation and fragmentation are among the most common causes of threats to these species.

The basis of biodiversity conservation in the Czech Republic is the management of habitats and the species that depend on them. However, for a significant number of species, the favourable conservation status of particular species cannot be achieved simply by managing its habitats. Active management of the species itself is necessary, including ex-situ cultivation or captive breeding and strengthening of wild populations. The legal protection of threatened species of plants and animals provides only passive protection against harmful interference but does not establish binding obligations in the area of active management. The tools for active management of the species are Species Action Plans that design and implement a special set of measures and apply a comprehensive approach to these species on a national level, Regional Species Action Plans on regional level, and Species Management Plans that are conceptual documents prepared for conflict species causing economic damage and other potential collisions with human interests. So far, these plans have been prepared only for a limited number of species.

OBJECTIVES

The main project objective is to fully implement the Concept of Active Species Conservation Tools in the Czech Republic 2023–2032. It focuses on active management of the most threatened species in the Czech Republic and it redefines the entire concept of species conservation, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive functional system of active species conservation that fully reflects the EU biodiversity legislation and strategies.

Specific objectives:

• National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic (2026–2050) is adopted, taking into account all current EU biodiversity commitments and targets. Two missing implementation documents are prepared (Protection of Pollinators and Protection of Genetic Diversity).
• New Species Action Plans for specially protected species, new Regional Species Action Plans for regionally threatened species and new Species Management Plans for specially protected but conflict species are prepared for selected species.
• Appropriate and necessary measures are implemented to halt the decline or improve the status of the populations of the target species based on the elaborated plans.
• Weak points in relation to the financing of species conservation regarding the needs of fulfilling the National Biodiversity Strategy and implementation document of Protection of Pollinators are identified and adaptations of appropriate financial resources are proposed.
• Knowledge gaps concerning the selected threatened species are filled, especially in terms of their biology, ecology, and genetic variability.
• Public administrations have the information and tools to systematically protect target species and their habitats and know how to use them properly.
• The public and stakeholders are aware of the objectives and methods of species conservation and understand the importance of biodiversity conservation, including conflict species and pollinators, as an integral part of human life.
• Other financial resources for the project are mobilised through complementary projects that lead to the full implementation of the Concept.