PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Forests in the Czech Republic are facing a range of serious threats that undermine their ecological stability and long-term sustainability. One of the most pressing issues is the historical establishment of spruce and pine monocultures, which still dominate large areas. Forest spatial structure has also been negatively affected by management practices involving large-scale clear-cutting. Hydrological conditions have been disrupted by drainage systems, logging activities, construction of forest roads, and agricultural operations in surrounding areas. The proportion of veteran trees and dead wood in forest stands is very low. Genetic diversity within forest ecosystems is also low, largely due to the neglect of native gene pools during forest regeneration efforts. As a result, forests exhibit reduced biodiversity, weakened ecological stability, and diminished resilience to droughts, floods, and other climatic fluctuations. Another significant challenge is wildlife management, particularly the difficulty in maintaining wild game populations at sustainable levels. Overabundant game severely hampers natural tree regeneration. Additionally, the spread of invasive alien species poses a growing threat to forest habitats.
In Poland, forest cover has increased to over 29% of the landscape. Although monocultures were also widely planted in the past, current forestry practices have shifted toward greater ecological diversity. Persistent problems include the high proportion of pine trees and their mortality due to drought and disease, and drainage facilities built in the past.
The project will be implemented across 20 Natura 2000 sites—13 in the Czech Republic and 7 in Poland. It focuses on 11 habitat types:
- *91D0 Bog woodland,
- *91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior,
- *9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines,
- 91F0 Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris),
- 91T0 Central European lichen scots pine forests,
- 91U0 Sarmatic steppe pine forests,
- 9110 Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests,
- 9130 Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests,
- 9170 Galio-Carpinetum oak-hornbeam forests,
- 9190 Old acidophilous oak woods with Quercus robur on sandy plains,
- 7140 Transition mires and quaking bogs.
The project also targets 12 species:
- Amphibians – Bombina variegata, Bombina bombina, Triturus cristatus,
- Invertebrates – Callimorpha quadripunctaria, Osmoderma eremita, Carabus variolosus, Cucujus cinnaberinus, Lucanus cervus, Limoniscus violaceus, Rhysodes sulcatus,
- Plants – Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica, Dicranum viride.
OBJECTIVES
The project's primary goal is to establish a comprehensive model for the care of diverse forest habitats and the species associated with them, in collaboration with forest owners, site administrators, regions, municipalities and the involvement of volunteers.
Specific objectives:
- Improvement of forest habitats condition over an area of at least 1,900 ha and non-forest habitats over an area of at least 26 ha through the planting of native tree and shrub species, protection of seedlings, eradication of invasive plant species, and maintenance of treeless areas.
- Increases in populations of target species by at least 5% through the restoration of small aquatic pools, an increase in the amount of dead wood, planting of site-suitable native tree species and shrubs in tree-line avenues and hedgerows as biotopes for saproxylic insects, and preservation of old trees.
- Enhancement of ecosystem functions and socio-economic benefits of the targeted habitats through their restoration, fostering a strong connection between volunteers and the local environment, and public outreach.
- Development of model care practices for diverse forest habitats with a positive impact on non-forest habitats, and promotion of sustainable tourism, especially in cooperation with forest owners and with the support of volunteers.
- Demonstration and replication of innovative solutions in the region, particularly through development, testing, and dissemination of a methodology for eradication of the invasive species Echinocystis lobata, which is spreading rapidly in riparian and floodplain habitats.
RESULTS
Expected results
Improving the condition of habitats:
- Priority habitats 91E0 on 285 ha, 91D0 on 184 ha, and 9180 on 149 ha.
- Non-priority forest habitats on about 1,300 ha.
- Forest-free habitat 7140 covering at least 26 ha.
Eradication of invasive non-native plants and trees over an area of at least 700 ha.
Improvement of living conditions for 12 target species:
- Maintenance or restoration of small aquatic pools, covering a total area of at least 20 ha;
- Increase in the amount of deadwood to at least 50 m3 across 4 Natura 2000 sites;
- Planting of at least 200 native deciduous trees and shrubs in tree-line avenues and hedgerows;
- Preservation of old trees with cavities, with professional treatment of at least 1,400 specimens.
Capacity building and awareness:
- Workshops, excursions, and conferences targeting forest landowners, forest managers, and government bodies responsible for forest management. These events aim to educate participants on emerging trends in forest ecosystem management within Natura 2000 sites, with a particular focus on the impacts of climate change.
Volunteering and sustainability:
- Establishment of a functional system of regular annual volunteering involving Czech, Polish, and other international participants. This system will support site management, ensure long-term sustainability, and minimize costs.
- Organization of 50 volunteer campaigns.
Innovation and best practice:
- Development of a methodology for the elimination of Echinocystis lobata, made freely available on the project website in Czech, English, German and Polish.