PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Pieniny National Park is unique in its diversity of habitat conditions, which has resulted in an exceptional mosaic of habitats. As a result of traditional and sustainable farming practices, rich and often unique non-forest communities have developed: mountain Trisetum meadows Polygono-Trisetion, communities of fresh meadows of Arrhenatherion elatioris and thermophilous rock grasslands Festuco-Brometea. The greatest threat to these communities is that the light-requiring species become shaded out by trees or taller plants and bushes. The species associated with thermophilous rock grasslands is the Pieniny treacle-mustard (Erysimum pieninicum), an endemic plant which prefers the mosaic of grasslands and shrubs. Maintenance of grasslands generally depends on activities such as extensive mowing, however much of the area covered by the park is in private hands, which has made it more difficult to carry out conservation actions than in the publicly-owned parts. Invasive alien species such as Sakhalin knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis) and Japanese knotweed (R. japonica) present a serious threat to native species in the project area. Uncontrolled tourism is another threat to protected species and habitats, especially when visitors stray from trails.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the LIFEPieninyPL project focused on improving of the conservation status of rare species and valuable habitats in the Pieniny Natura 2000 network site. This would be achieved by means of a coordinated programme of nature conservation actions including:
- Dedicated actions for bats and amphibians;
- Land purchase;
- Tree and shrub clearance;
- Removal of invasive species;
- Mowing;
- Managing visitor pressures; and
- Stakeholder communication activities.
RESULTS
The most important outcomes of the LIFEPieninyPL project were as follows
- Enhanced nature conservation on 24 ha of meadows and 17 ha of restored commercial forest;
- Grazing pressures balanced at four sites in the area of Majerz clearing – threats reduced and favourable breeding conditions created for five amphibian species (Triturus montandoni, Triturus alpestris, Bombina variegata, Rana temporaria and Bufo bufo);
- Better management of visitor pressures along 1.45 km of footpath trails and improved quality of adjacent habitats;
- Improved conservation status of 8 ha of semi-natural dry grasslands thanks to the removal of trees and/or shrubs;
- Safeguarding of the conservation status of Erysimum pieninicum and habitat conditions for species reliant on the mosaic of grasslands and shrubs on the project site’s castle hill area (0.5 ha); and
- 80% reduction of invasive Reynoutria species on the Dunajec River which should help improve the conservation status of alluvial forest habitat in the near future.
Monitoring of the project’s actions confirmed their effectiveness and their suitability for specific tasks. Promotion of the project’s objectives contributed to a greater understanding and acceptance of the protection of natural and landscape resources among the local community.
