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Conservation of priority grassland habitats in Slovenia through the establishment of seed bank and in situ restoration

Reference: LIFE20 NAT/SI/000253 | Acronym: LIFE FOR SEEDS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

As in most parts in Europe, extensive high nature value (HNV) grasslands have rapidly declined in recent decades due to agricultural intensification or abandonment. Also in Slovenia, the surface of HNV grasslands in Natura 2000 sites is decreasing: the surface of semi-natural dry grasslands, habitat type 6210(*), decreased by 29% (62.3 ha) in the eastern part of SAC Goricko between 2004 and 2012; likewise, the surface of Molinia grasslands at the southern part of Planinsko polje (part of SAC Notranjski trikotnik) decreased by about 70% from 2010 to 2018, whereas alkaline fens only remained in traces (both are part of the qualifying habitat type 3180*). Moreover, some typical species of habitat type 3180* (Turloughs) have become extinct at Planinsko polje, mostly due to intensification. In parts of SAC Julijske Alpe, the habitat type 6210(*), semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates, is encroached by shrubs due to land abandonment, whereas species-rich Nardus grasslands (6230*) are locally degraded by tourism and forestry (erosion). Consequently, also plant genetic diversity is being lost and eroded. The most threatened habitat types, declining in size and quality, have either an unfavourable-inadequate status (U1; 3180* and 6230* in Alpine region) or unfavourable-bad status (U2; 6210(*) in the Alpine and Continental region). In that light, it is necessary to establish a seed bank of characteristic taxa from those habitat types. The Botanical Garden of the University of Ljubljana stores a large number of native angiosperms seeds, but their seeds stem from a limited number of locations, implying low genetic diversity. Thus, it is necessary to increase the number of accessions of wild grassland angiosperms of priority habitat types in Slovenia (by 12 000), as well as to establish safety duplication of seeds, collected in nature. Moreover, in Slovenia, there are currently no agri-environmental or other measures to support the production of seeds of native grassland species or grassland restoration. Three measures are planned to be prepared and financially evaluated in the project, and endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food to become part of national agricultural policy after 2027. They will be promoted among farmers, especially those who own HNV grasslands.


OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of LIFE FOR SEEDS is to improve the conservation status of the most threatened grassland habitat types in Slovenia.

More specifically, the project aims to:

  • Establish a seed bank of characteristic plant species of priority habitat types 3180*, 6210(*) and 6230* and its safety duplicate. The seed bank will hold 12 000 accessions of at least 300 different plant species, collected across 21 Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia, where the above mentioned habitats are listed as qualifying;
  • Test two different grassland restoration techniques: green hay and sowing seed mixtures. By doing so, it is foreseen to (a) restore 61.8 ha of priority habitat types 3180*, 6210(*) and 6230* at five different Natura 2000 sites (Drava, Julijske Alpe, Goričko, Notranjski trikotnik, Krimsko hribovje - Menišija), and (b) determine the most suitable method of grassland restoration for these habitats;
  • Prepare agricultural measures for the production of green hay and seed mixtures and their use in grassland restoration (either from arable fields or intensive meadows). These measures will be included in the national agricultural policy plan after 2027, making them available for farmers to enrol;
  • To set up a web cadastre (registry of land ownership) of HNV grasslands that will serve as a geo-referenced basis for the implementation of agricultural measures developed within the project. The web cadastre will enable new plots to be added after the project ends;
  • Raising awareness among the wider public, especially landowners, of the importance of species-rich grasslands for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services (e.g. pollination, production of honey, herbs, medicinal plants, genetic material for fodder plant breeding, protection against soil, and wind erosion).

The project will facilitate the implementation of EU environmental policies, in particular the Habitats Directive, Birds Directive, and the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.


RESULTS

Expected results:

  • Seeds of at least 300 characteristic plant species of habitat type (HT) 3180*, 6210(*) and 6230*, collected from 21 different Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia, stored in the new seed bank and its safety duplicate. In total, 12 000 accessions stored and their collection data (date, location, name of collector, etc.) entered into a publicly-available database;
  • Thirteen joint collecting events organised (four for each priority HT) at the beginning of the project to familiarise seed collectors with the collecting method and characteristic species. 15 volunteers will participate in seed collecting;
  • A web-based cadastre established, containing at least 1 000 plots of well-preserved grasslands from different Natura 2000 sites;
  • At least three agricultural measures for the production of green hay and seed mixtures and their use in grassland restoration prepared, financially evaluated and adopted in the national agricultural policy plan after 2027;
  • In total, 61.8 ha of priority HT restored: 43 ha of 3180*, 16 ha of 6210(*) and 2.7 ha of 6230*. For the purpose of restoration, 12.9 ha of land at four Natura 2000 sites purchased, while 12.3 ha of five non-priority HT restored at four SACs;
  • A manual for grassland restoration using native seeds from well-preserved grasslands printed in 6 000 copies, which also includes information on appropriate management methods based on interviews with at least 120 land owners; and
  • Numerous awareness raising and dissemination activities performed, including exhibitions, lectures, workshops, public events, research camps for biology and agriculture students, field excursions for children, and visits for farmers.


ADMINISTRATIVE DATA


Reference: LIFE20 NAT/SI/000253
Acronym: LIFE FOR SEEDS
Start Date: 01/09/2021
End Date: 31/12/2026
Total Eligible Budget: 5,351,723 €
EU Contribution: 4,013,790 €
Project Location: Slovenia

CONTACT DETAILS


Coordinating Beneficiary: Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic Slovenije
Legal Status: PNC
Address: Tržaška cesta 2, 1000, Ljubljana,
Contact Person: Katarina Denac
Email: Send Email
Website: Visit Website


LIFE Project Map

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED

THEMES

  • High Nature Value farmland
  • Grasslands
  • Knowledge development

KEYWORDS

  • grassland ecosystem
  • biodiversity
  • knowledge development

TARGET EU LEGISLATION

  • COM(2011) 244 final “Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020” (03.05.2011)
  • Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directive (21.05.1992)
  • Directive 79/409 - Conservation of wild birds (02.04.1979)

TARGET HABITAT TYPES

  • 3180 - Turloughs
  • 6210 - Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)
  • 6230 - "Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe)"

NATURA 2000 SITES

Type Code Name
SCI SI3000274 Bohor
SPA SI5000024 Grintovci
SCI SI3000231 Javorniki - Snežnik
SCI SI3000220 Drava
SPA SI5000008 Škocjanski zatok
SPA SI5000030 Karavanke
SCI SI3000256 Krimsko hribovje - Menišija
SCI SI3000253 Julijske Alpe
SCI SI3000262 Sava - Medvode - Kresnice
SCI SI3000270 Pohorje
SPA SI5000006 Pohorje
SPA SI5000007 Banjšice
SPA SI5000014 Ljubljansko barje
SCI SI3000034 Banjšice - travišča
SCI SI3000181 Kum
SCI SI3000221 Goričko
SCI SI3000232 Notranjski trikotnik
SPA SI5000002 Snežnik - Pivka
SCI SI3000234 Vrbina
SCI SI3000252 Škocjanski zatok
SCI SI3000285 Karavanke
SPA SI5000009 Goričko
SCI SI3000173 Bloščica
SCI SI3000296 Marindol
SCI SI3000335 Polhograjsko hribovje
SPA SI5000011 Drava
SCI SI3000046 Bela Krajina
SCI SI3000271 Ljubljansko barje
SPA SI5000019 Julijci
SCI SI3000038 Smrekovško pogorje
SCI SI3000117 Haloze - vinorodne
SCI SI3000118 Boč - Haloze - Donačka gora
SCI SI3000119 Porezen

BENEFICIARIES

Name Type
KIS(Kmetijski inštitut Slovenije), Slovenia Participant
KPG(Javni zavod Krajinski park Goričko), Slovenia Participant
TNP(Javni zavod Triglavski narodni park), Slovenia Participant
NRP(Notranjski regijski park), Slovenia Participant
Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic Slovenije Coordinator

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