PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Biodiverse City LIFE is an area-based nature conservation project focusing on valuable grassland habitats (*Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes, *Sub-pannonic steppic grasslands, *Pannonian woods, *Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior) of the Pannonian Region, and on water retention and the re-establishing of traditional land use methods to boost urban biodiversity and ecosystem services in Budapest. Through the restoration of degraded grasslands, wetlands, and, to a small extent, forests, controlling invasive species, as well as extensive grassland management, the project improves the conservation status of the (271 ha) habitats and species of community interest and/or national importance. The improvement of the conservation status of Natura2000 and locally protected natural and semi-natural habitats at the three main project sites (Mocsáros, Tétényi Plateau, Kőérberek) is expected to lead to an increase in the population of 20 indicator species (8 of which are of community interest), and an improvement in ecosystem services and adaptive capacities to climate change. The project takes an integrated approach to nature conservation. In urban settings, conservation efforts must involve local residents in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of project results. Therefore, the project aims to address the causes and effects of detrimental human impact affecting natural environments in Budapest today, thus encouraging sustainable urban land use practices, and peaceful coexistence of nature and the urban lifestyle. The value of urban biodiversity and ecosystem services is to be spread by using the main project sites and other urban green areas for demonstration, awareness-raising, and community involvement. The project leads to a significant expansion of locally protected areas, boosts urban biodiversity and ecosystem services, and thus substantially contributes to the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030.