Protection of valuable natural habitats in Ponidzie

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Located in the central part of the Niecka Nidzianska area of southeastern Poland, the Ponidzie region contains a differentiated geological structure and unique natural habitats. There are three landscape parks in the area (Nadnidzianski, Szaniecki and Kozubowski) and three sites protected within the Natura 2000 network: Ostoja Nidzianska, Ostoja Kozubowska and Stawiany. Social and economic changes, however, have led to the abandonment of farming and the subsequent degradation of valuable habitats and species.

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the project is to improve the conservation status of habitats in the Ponidzie region, especially those priority habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive: xerotherm turfs, thermophilic inland sand turfs, thermophilic oakwoods, and inland halophilic salty meadows, pastures and reed. The restoration and preservation of ecosystem mosaics will benefit populations of threatened plants and animals, including species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. A particular focus of the project will be on the flowering plant Serratula lycopifolia and the endemic thistle species Carlina onopordifolia. Another important aim of the project is to create a genetic reserve of the threatened plant species typical of the region. An indirect aim will be the restitution of pastures, which have not been cultivated in the area for several decades. This will allow not only the preservation of valuable habitats, but also a gradual improvement in the economic exploration of natural resources and restoration of some cultural patterns relating to grazing. The project should also raise the awareness of local communities of the need to protect the valuable ecosystems of the Ponidzie region.

Expected results:

Proper conservation status achieved on 52.47 ha of xerotherm turfs, on 1.13 ha of thermophilic inland sand turfs, on 0.21 ha of inland halophilic salty meadows, pastures and reed, and on 7.7 ha of thermophilic oakwoods;

Two stands of Serratula lycopifolia and four stands of Carlina onopordifolia will be preserved;

Human pressure on valuable habitats will be reduced by streamlining the tourist traffic, as well as by preventative actions such as patrols by authorities in the landscape parks; and

Public awareness of local communities will increase through educational meetings, conferences and the dissemination of project results.

 

RESULTS

ZSiNPK_Kielce_LIFE_PL resulted in the comprehensive protection of four dry grassland and steppe priority habitat types of the EU Habitats Directive, as well as habitats of grassland plants, including two plant species listed in Annex II of the Directive (Carlina onopordifolia and Serratula lycopifolia).

 

The project team achieved the following results:  

• Conservation status improved on 55.35 ha of ‘Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates’ (habitat type 6210).
• Conservation status improved on 3.92 ha of ‘Xeric sand calcareous grasslands’ (6120).
• Conservation status improved on 0.16 ha of ‘Inland salt meadows’ (1340).
• Conservation status improved on 7.7 ha of ‘Euro-Siberian steppic woods with Quercus spp.’ (91I0).
• The preservation of one stand of Serratula lycopifolia and four stands of Carlina onopordifolia.
• Reduction of human pressure on valuable habitats by streamlining tourist traffic, as well as by preventative actions such as patrols by authorities in the landscape parks.
• Increased public awareness in local communities of the importance of the target habitats, through educational meetings, workshops, conferences and the dissemination of project results.

Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman's report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).