broz, Author BROZ

Restoration of grazing is progressing also in the vicinity of Dobrá Voda

broz — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:36:36 +0000

Dobrá Voda is one of the few villages that lie hidden in the middle of the massif of the Little Carpathians. In the past, most of their territory did not provide a very suitable environment for people to farm other than forestry, and so they settled rather on the edges of this mountain range. What makes Dobrá Voda special in this respect can be easily deduced from its name which translates to Good Water. Our ancestors discovered abundant water resources here. The geological bedrock here consists of Mesozoic limestones and dolomites, which are easily permeable to water. The water underground forms an extensive network of fissures and caves and comes to the surface in the form of springs. Above, however, on limestone slopes with shallow soil, conditions are very different, generally very dry and hot. These conditions have given rise to rare habitats on the unforested cliffs, which are known professionally as xerotherms. There were many more of these in the Brezovské Karpaty Mountains, which includes the Dobrá Voda district, until the middle of the last century than there are today. Until then, people had to make use of every available piece of land for their livelihood, including such poorly fertile places where flocks of sheep and goats grazed. However, after major societal changes, grazing land was gradually abandoned or artificially reforested, often with non-native species such as black pine. The xerotherms of the Brezovské Karpaty are associated with a number of rare plant and animal species. These include, for example, several orchids, spring peasant’s eyes (Adonis vernalis), greater pasque flowers (Pulsatilla grandis) and Dianthus lumnitzeri plants. Their fate today, however, is directly dependent on whether we start to care for them again or let them disappear in the shade of woody and non-native plants. That’s why, as part of the LIFE Endemic PANALP project, we decided to join forces with local residents who care about the local nature. Last year, we focused mainly on the restoration of plots of the local urban estate in the Dobrá Voda area. Thanks to our initiative, a young farmer from the village obtained a long-term lease. Although he had farmed here before, he was unable to get to several places with his animals because of the trees. Thanks to the project funds, we managed to clean them up, again with the involvement of active locals. Livestock – cows and goats – also returned to some of the restored areas last year after a long time. The traditional grazing area above Dobrá Voda is thus expanding from the original 5 hectares to about twice as large, under the direction of a local farmer. In addition, we are making progress on preparing the conditions for the restoration of grazing on another private area of approximately 16 hectares, where we are working with another local farmer to bring grazing back. We are very pleased that together with the return of ungulates we are also seeing the spread of rare species tied to flowering meadows in the middle of the Brezovské Karpaty Mountains. For example, during the spring work on the fences we discovered the rare orchid Ophrys holubyana or the hoopoe bird. The latter probably nests here, too, in the hollows left by the old solitary trees. Both of these species are the so-called umbrella species.

Príspevok Restoration of grazing is progressing also in the vicinity of Dobrá Voda zobrazený najskôr BROZ.

We have expanded an oasis of life near Považská Bystrica

broz — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 14:27:00 +0000

Above Podmanín, at the piedmont of Manínec and Veľký Manín in the Strážovské vrchy, lies a small, open hillside that, at first glance, may seem dry and lifeless. But appearances can be deceiving—these warm, sunlit slopes are bursting with life. Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of warm-requiring species thrive here, including rare insects, plants, lichens, fungi, and other organisms. Some of them are already on the brink of extinction in Slovakia. To prevent this fate on Manínec, we joined forces with local volunteers who have revived the traditional grazing of sheep in their free time. As part of the LIFE Endemic PANALP project, we expanded the pasture to include previously overgrown rocky slopes and introduced goats from our mobile herd. Their hooves and keen appetites play a vital role in preserving the Apollo butterfly and countless other species that share its habitat.

A fragment of xerotherm, a habitat of warm- and dry-requiring grasslands on Manínec, surrounded by pines and spruces. Without our collaboration with local enthusiasts, it would have gradually disappeared into the shadows of the forest. And with it, the rich diversity of life—once sustained for centuries by grazing herds—would have vanished as well.

The Apollo butterfly, one of our largest, rarest, and most beautiful butterflies. Seventy years ago, nearly 600 sites in Slovakia were home to this species—today, only the last individuals struggle to survive on 40 to 50 locations. This is a clear sign that something in the landscape is not right. A quick look at what has changed over time tells the story. Suitable habitats, such as rocky slopes, have drastically declined. The Apollo caterpillar feeds on houseleeks and mainly white stonecrops, succulents that thrive on sunlit rocky surfaces. Meanwhile, adult butterflies rely on flowering plants as a nectar source for sustenance.

The Italian locust, blue-winged grasshopper, dung beetle, antlion (Myrmeleon formicarius), and many other creatures inhabit even the most extreme habitats found on Manínec. What may seem like barren ground at first glance is, upon closer inspection, teeming with rare and remarkable life forms.

The dark-red helleborine, an orchid with a pleasant vanilla fragrance, thrives in open woodlands, rocky meadows, and slopes with calcareous soils. Although relatively common, it faces threats similar to many of our native orchids, including habitat overgrowth, changes in forest composition, and construction in unsuitable locations.

Fifty to seventy years ago, many areas like Manínec were artificially afforested, often with non-native species such as black pine or manna ash. Additionally, collectivization led to the disappearance of a mosaic of small fields, meadows, and pastures, drastically reducing biodiversity. Modern intensive agriculture has further exacerbated the issue—livestock are now kept indoors, and instead of traditional mowing and hay drying, many meadows are harvested for silage. This process involves immediately baling the cut vegetation, trapping unripe seeds and countless slow-moving invertebrates. Restoring grazing to the landscape is therefore highly beneficial. It creates disturbances – small trampled patches of bare soil where a variety of plants can germinate. On rocky terrain, goats are particularly effective at keeping shrubs in check through browsing. Livestock grazing is far from unnatural; it mimics the role of large herbivorous ungulates, which once roamed these landscapes before being wiped out by human activity.

The warm, dry slopes of Manínec with pastures and sparse woodlands in 1950 and today.

Since farming – whether through grazing or mowing – s not very profitable on low-yield land, local conservationists have taken on this task at Manínec. They initially organized volunteer workdays focused on removing woody plants. In their free time and at their own expense, they eventually introduced sheep to control expansive grasses and reduce the need for labor-intensive mowing and raking. Thanks to our project, grazing was doubled in 2022 – goats were added to the herd, and the pasture was expanded to include steep rocky slopes. These areas are favored by rare butterflies, including the Apollo butterfly, for which we also opened up two xerothermic clearings by removing invasive and non-native trees.

Grazing, when done in the right places, is a boon for nature. On rocky slopes, goats are the ideal natural mowers. They graze the grass, reduce shrubs, expose the rocks, spread seeds with their hooves, open up forest edges, prevent succession, and limit the spread of invasive species. They reveal the rocks and make life possible for hundreds of species of organisms. Many plants, such as creeping thyme, stonecrops, oregano, or fringe-flowered gentian, require a low grassy cover. They are competitively weak and cannot survive under un-grazed vegetation.

The Apollo butterfly and many other invertebrates depend on flowers, which goats and sheep also enjoy eating. That’s why grazing on Manínec is unsuitable during certain periods, and we only bring the animals there after the nectariferous plants have flowered or seeded. Until then, our mobile herd grazes other suitable areas in the Strážovské vrchy and the Biele Karpaty.

The rarity of the area was confirmed right in the field, as we encountered a variety of living creatures under our feet in a short period. These included the Alopecosa cuneata spider, Apollo butterfly, speckled yellow butterfly, peacock butterfly, brimstone butterfly, dew moth, dingy skipper moth, cabbage butterfly, violet oil beetle, Myrmeleon formicarius antlion, blue-winged grasshopper, Italian locust, European mantis, succulent white stonecrop, medicinal creeping thyme, oregano, orchids such as the white helleborine, dark-red helleborine, and pale-flowered orchid, fungi like the flowers of tan, st. George’s mushroom and countless others.

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Hrehorkové revives thanks to traditional grazing. Will the butterfly king return?

broz — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 14:19:02 +0000

Hrehorkové, a Site of Community Importance (SCI), is one of the youngest protected areas in the Biele Karpaty. Located on the sunlit limestone slopes near the village of Mikušovce (Ilava district), it was designated as a protected area in 2018, covering 12 hectares. By then, however, the once-open landscape had become overgrown with shrubs and trees. Local landowners, however, remembered Hrehorkové quite differently—as vibrant pastures filled with medicinal herbs, orchids, and the striking Apollo butterfly. Wanting to restore the area to its former glory, they reached out to the Protected Landscape Area administration in 2021 to see if anything could be done. Their request soon reached the team behind our LIFE Endemic PANALP project, and things quickly gained momentum. We joined forces with the landowners and a young local farmer named Martin, set out a plan, and got to work. Today, Hrehorkové is once again coming to life, buzzing with insects and blooming with orchids. The first signs of success came surprisingly fast—just one year after habitat restoration began, rare bee orchids reappeared, and the striking hoopoe returned to the area.

Changes of Hrehorkové: Its appearance in the mid-20th century, in 2023 before the restoration began, and in May 2024 after the removal of felled biomass.

At the turn of 2023 and 2024, the sound of chainsaws echoed through the area. For several weeks, our team worked to clear areas with dense shrub and tree cover, while carefully preserving junipers, fruit trees, and solitary oaks. Once most of the biomass was removed, an entirely new landscape emerged. The once-dense and monotonous thicket gave way to an open mosaic of future pastures, dotted with scattered trees and shrubs. Not long ago, such a landscape was a common sight. Over time, however, it has been replaced by two extremes—either intensively cultivated fields, treeless meadows or dense forests lacking an herbaceous underwood. Neither of these extremes supports biodiversity.

Of course, we made sure to preserve junipers, solitary wild fruit trees, and oaks, creating an open mosaic that is both visually appealing and beneficial for biodiversity.

We began setting up electric fencing even before the site was fully cleared. Our goal was to bring in the local farmer’s livestock as soon as the biomass was removed so they could start grazing on the first regrowth of shrubs. From the outset, year-round grazing was part of the plan. To ensure its success, we recommended that farmer Martin introduce tenacious Romney Marsh sheep, along with goats, which are particularly effective at controlling woody regrowth. This winter, donkeys were added to the mix—including one from the European ground squirrel habitat in Muránska Planina. Donkeys are well-known for their ability to protect herds from predators. All three species remain on-site throughout the winter, as winter grazing has proven highly effective in pasture restoration—forcing the animals to browse shrubs more intensively than they would during the growing season. Through the project, we also provided Martin with a shelter for the animals, though they use it only in the harshest weather, preferring to roam freely on the pasture. In the first months, they focused on grazing the southern part of the site, and by autumn, we opened up an old quarry and rocky outcrop in the northern half as well. Volunteers from the Czech Republic, led by leading naturalists from Charles University and conservationists from JARO Group, helped with the final clearing work in October. As of now, traditional grazing is fully underway across all 12 hectares of this Site of Community Importance. As mentioned earlier, the first conservation successes at Hrehorkové came surprisingly quickly. Even during the construction of the fencing, we discovered blooming Holuby’s bee orchid and even the bee orchid, a species not previously known in this part of the Biele Karpaty. After the site was cleared, we observed a hoopoe here in the spring. For this reason, we are working closely with the farmer to find the most gentle methods for deworming the animals. This is particularly important because a significant part of the hoopoe’s diet consists of coprophagous insects, such as the dung beetle. To further improve the chances of breeding, we plan to install suitable nesting boxes in the area.

Thanks to the clearing and the return of grazing, Hrehorkové is becoming an important orchid site. From left to right: bee orchid and Holuby’s bee orchid, both discovered during the restoration work, and the lady orchid.

At Hrehorkové, the hoopoes are settling in after the restoration, thriving in the open landscape mosaic of sunlit slopes. We have also discovered the coprophagous dung beetle, an important part of the hoopoe’s diet.

A huge success would be if our “butterfly king,” the Apollo butterfly, were to return to Hrehorkové. While it’s just a stone’s throw from Vršatec, this slow-flying butterfly faces more challenges. During occasional exploratory flights in search of new habitats, it relies on stepping stones—small islands of suitable environments where it can gather energy or even establish a new, smaller population that could eventually spread further. This winter, we began working with local landowners to clear Mokrá skala, a site halfway between Hrehorkové and Vršatec. Of course, considering the ongoing climate change, we are aware that the Apollo butterfly, a relic of glacial steppe habitats, will still face difficulties, even with improving habitat conditions. However, we are already seeing that these efforts are benefiting many other species, often less noticeable ones, such as orchids. It also brings us great joy to see that, through this work, memories of local people of a diverse landscape from the past are coming to life again, while providing the younger generation of farmers with land for the future.

We greatly appreciate the help we received from volunteers, led by excellent naturalists and conservationists from the Czech Republic, with the restoration of Hrehorkové in the autumn.

Príspevok Hrehorkové revives thanks to traditional grazing. Will the butterfly king return? zobrazený najskôr BROZ.

In the Javorníky Mountains, on Klapy, we helped the rare Apollo butterflies and pasque flowers.

broz — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 09:54:20 +0000

Just as humans have carved their own paths through nature, nature, too, has created its own unique routes. The southern edge of the Javorníky Mountains is home to the Pieniny Klippen Belt, a stunning limestone ridge that stretches from Myjava, across the Polish Tatras, through Humenné, and all the way to Romania. These rocky formations served as stepping stones for plant and animal species that depend on calcium-rich habitats. In the past, these areas were within reach of each other, easily accessible. But while they were once open and connected, many are now overgrown by forests and dense vegetation—or have disappeared altogether.

Klapy, serving as the gateway to the Mariková Valley, have a rich history, with evidence of ancient Celtic settlements in the area. Likely used as a refuge in times of danger, this strategic location has long been a place of shelter and protection for those who sought safety in its natural surroundings.

Overlooking the Nosice Dam in Stredné Považie, Klapy Mountain is part of the limestone ridge system. In the past, various calcium- and light-demanding species migrated here, but as their connection to the surrounding landscape faded, so did their populations. The once-thriving rocky peak became an isolated island in a sea of vegetation, causing a steady decline in rare species like the Slovak pasque flower and the Apollo butterfly. With each passing year, the sunlit rocky habitats shrank, and so did the populations of rare species. Without proper management, the very ecosystems and protected species that define this nature reserve would have eventually disappeared.

The larvae of the Apollo Butterfly rely on the succulent white stonecrop, a plant that thrives in open, unshaded areas. Both species require these sun-drenched, uncovered spaces to survive.

The Slovak pasque flower, an endemic species of Slovakia, is capable of surviving in a dormant state for several years when shaded, but will eventually perish if the conditions do not improve.

Together with the Strážovské vrchy Protected Landscape Area, we worked on restoring Klapy as part of the LIFE Endemic PANALP project. Over 18 days in late November and early December, we cleared 8,000 m² of overgrown habitat in steep, rugged terrain—at times using climbing gear. We carefully removed invading pines and hazels while preserving native oaks, wild apple and pear trees, and rowan-trees, helping to revive this precious landscape. The weather didn’t exactly cooperate with us either. One week, we were surrounded by blooming spring flowers and battling ticks, while the next, we were wading through half-meter of snow in freezing temperatures. Some days started with a magical, sun-drenched frost, only to end in harsh, gusty conditions where staying on our feet became a challenge. Despite the tough conditions, the effort we put in over those three weeks will benefit the open-land species for years to come. Why did we take action instead of letting “nature take its course”? Unfortunately, many similar locations have been left to overgrow on their own, and what was once a vibrant, diverse ecosystem has been overtaken by invasive trees. Some may argue that this is simply nature’s way, but it’s not that simple. Over time, humans have removed critical natural processes—such as fires, floods, and large herbivores—that once helped shape and maintain these ecosystems. Other areas were intentionally degraded by quarrying, planting non-native trees, and, indirectly, by the decline of grazing and pasturing. While we can’t know what the Earth will look like in the future, it’s possible that the state of nature will improve, and rare species could spread once more. But right now, we are deciding whether there will even be places left for them to spread from. That’s why it’s crucial to protect and manage xerothermic habitats like Klapy, which serve as important oases of biodiversity.

The Váh River, cutting through the limestone formations of the klippen belt, sped up the weathering processes, contributing to the formation of steep cliffs at Klapy and other nearby locations such as Holíš near Nimnica, Skalka by Nosice, and the cliff beneath Považský Castle. However, this dynamic natural force has been controlled by river regulation and dam construction.

Príspevok In the Javorníky Mountains, on Klapy, we helped the rare Apollo butterflies and pasque flowers. zobrazený najskôr BROZ.

We are restoring rare steppe habitats in Horná Pustá Ves

broz — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 09:41:32 +0000

The quiet settlement of Horná Pustá Ves is hidden away in the northern part of the Brezovské Karpaty, within the Prašník municipality. Surrounded by the limestone peaks of the Malé Karpaty, this area has a rich natural and cultural history. People settled here as early as the Paleolithic era, evidenced by the remains of an ancient hillfort on one of the local ridges. Over time, the region’s favorable conditions attracted various human civilizations, many of which engaged in agriculture. It is thanks to centuries of traditional land use that rare and species-rich xerothermic habitats—dry, sunlit grasslands—have survived in Pustá Ves. Though only small fragments remain compared to the past, they are incredibly valuable relics of ancient rocky steppes and forest-steppes. To protect these fragile ecosystems, we have partnered with a local farmer through the LIFE Endemic PANALP project to restore and preserve them with careful, sustainable management. Our partner in Horná Pustá Ves is Roman Dobrovodský, who took over the family farm from his father. Along with his brother, he’s a passionate nature photographer and filmmaker—but his connection to this land goes even deeper. More than a decade ago, long before our project began, the two of them started clearing overgrown xerothermic habitats, which they also co-own. From our very first meeting, it was clear we were on the same page. The biggest challenge wasn’t deciding what needed to be done, but navigating the bureaucracy—getting approval from a majority of co-owners. Luckily, we managed to secure it (back when the land registry was still running smoothly), and by late 2023, restoration work above Pustá Ves was officially underway. This winter, the efforts continue.

A comparison of aerial photographs from the mid-20th century and today reveals just how much the Brezovské Karpaty have changed in a relatively short time. Sunlit rocky slopes that once defined the landscape have disappeared—replaced by pine plantations and quarries. Like in many other parts of Slovakia, rocky steppes here suffered from past generations’ misconceptions. They were seen as barren, overgrazed wastelands, and afforestation was celebrated as a major success for both people and nature. It wasn’t until later that scientists recognized their true value—these are among the richest ecosystems in our region, with a history stretching back to the Ice Age. Protecting them should be taken as seriously as preserving old-growth forests—but unlike forests, these habitats need active management to survive. The green areas on the current map highlight the sites undergoing restoration.

Our main goal is to fully restore approximately 10 hectares of land within the Brezovské Karpaty, a site of European significance. The parcel is divided by a ridge, creating a sunny, southwest-facing slope and a wetter, north-facing side. We began the restoration efforts on the southern part of the site, where, thanks to previous work by the Dobrovodský brothers, a diverse mosaic of thermophilic and xerophilic meadows, juniper stands, and oak forest-steppes has been preserved. These habitats are home to hundreds of orchids, as well as the endemic carnation (Dianthus praecox subsp. lumnitzeri), a target species of our project. On the edges of a nearby quarry, you can even find the greater pasque flower, so there’s hope that they may eventually expand into this area as well. To support light-demanding species and habitats, local farmers, under our expert guidance, have carefully removed most of the black pines from the area. These pines spreaded from a neighboring plot, which had been afforested with a dense monoculture of this non-native tree. With the pines removed, the once-shaded areas, which had been acidified by pine needles for decades, can now allow rare herbaceous communities that thrive in sunny, dry, and alkaline limestone soils to flourish once again.

Black pines can destroy rare, millennia-old light-demanding habitats within just a few decades due to shading of the area and their acidic needles. They push out almost all the native species, including junipers. However, as shown in the middle photo, when we lend a helping hand to nature, the native species almost immediately start to find their way back.

This winter, after consulting with another key partner, the administration of the CHKO Malé Karpaty, we also began the restoration of the northern slope. Currently, there is a dense forest made up of a variety of deciduous trees. Our joint goal is to transform it into a traditionally European, yet nearly vanished habitat—the light, grazing forest. Under the partial shade of the trees, a farmer will graze a herd of cows, which already help maintain the neighboring meadow and, since last summer, a smaller part of the cleared xerothermic areas. The driest and steepest southern slopes of the site, however, will only be grazed occasionally to prevent damage to the habitats. Many larger farms might not find such practices economical, so we are very happy that in Pustá Ves, things are different. We have the opportunity to work with local allies who, like us, truly value the natural heritage of the landscape.

The northern part consists of a species-rich, yet dense deciduous forest, which is quite common in the surrounding area and throughout the Malé Karpaty. Over time, we will gradually transform it into a pasture-like woodland, which will have a positive impact on the local biodiversity.

Site inspections with local collaborators are an essential part of our work in restoring rare habitats.

What’s next? Since it’s in the shared interest of us, the farmer, and the LIFE program to not just clear the rare habitats once but also maintain them long-term, we’ve secured quality fencing and other infrastructure for livestock with the project funds. A tourist trail runs through the area, so we’ve also prepared an educational panel highlighting the natural values of the site and the importance of its maintenance. And of course, we’re very excited about the possibility of expanding the steppe and forest-steppe areas here in the future. The surroundings of Horná Pustá Ves still hold great potential in this regard.

While we prepare to install a permanent information panel at the site, we are informing visitors about the ongoing work and its significance with temporary signs.

We prioritize the sustainability of project activities, which is why we have provided the local farmer with high-quality, long-lasting fences made from acacia wood.

Príspevok We are restoring rare steppe habitats in Horná Pustá Ves zobrazený najskôr BROZ.

We organised a seminar for farmers

broz — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:49:22 +0000

On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, we organized a seminar at Beckov Farm as part of the LIFE Metamorphosis project focused on sustainable deworming of livestock. This is a method of protecting animals from parasites that takes biodiversity conservation into account. Entomologists Ľuboš Víťaz and Tomáš Olšovský, farmer Ivana Kodajová, and the director of the Institute of Parasitology at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Marián Varády, came to share their practical experiences and expert knowledge. The seminar was part of our ‘Krajina živá’ (Living Landscape) program, which focuses on highlighting, appreciating, and connecting nature-friendly farmers. Video recording and presentations in PDF format can be found at https://krajinaziva.sk/seminar-antiparazitika-2024/.

Príspevok We organised a seminar for farmers zobrazený najskôr BROZ.

The Czechoslovak conservation weekend in White Carpathians contributed to saving the rocky steppes

broz — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 09:13:17 +0000

Although we do not commemorate October 28 as a national holiday in Slovakia, the legacy of the first common republic is still alive for many of us. This also applies to Czech conservationists from the JARO Group or scientists from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Charles University. They decided to spend their extended October weekend in Slovakia, specifically in the northern part of the White Carpathians. More than three tens volunteers led by leading entomologists Ondřej Sedláček and Zdeňek Faltýnek Fric and conservationist David Číp helped us restore the rare flowering hillsides included in the LIFE Endemic PANALP project. We opened the main working part of the volunteer event on Saturday at Vršatské bradlá in the Babky laction. Here, we have been improving the conditions for the survival of the endangered mountain apollo butterfly for a long time, and it was no different this time either. Here, together with Czechoslovak forces, we cleared sawed-off wood from an area of more than half a hectare, thanks to which we finally created a biocorridor between two open rock cliffs. It will definitely benefit not only apollo butterflies, but also many other species of plants and animals that are tied to the rocky steppes. We spent Sunday morning in the nearby area of European importance, Hrehorkové, which we cleared of encroached trees last season. Together with a local farmer, we also restored sheep and goat grazing here. Our activity was also to clean the site from encroached trees. In the afternoon we returned to Vršatské bradlá, but this time not for work, but for getting to know the local nature. We guided the participants of the event through the areas that we manage here as part of the LIFE Endemic Panalp project, and we ended the excursion by admiring the autumn views from Biely vrch (White hill). We returned to work on Monday, the Czech Czechoslovak national holiday. This time we were also joined by the staff of the White Carpathians PLA Administration, whom we helped rake hay in the natural monument Brezovská dolina. It is full of orchids and butterflies in the spring and at the beginning, also thanks to the long-term care of the State Nature Conservancy and volunteers from the local NGOs KOZA and Pre Prírodu. At the end of this post, we would like to thank all the participating volunteers for deciding to spend the long holiday weekend with us in White Carpathians, as well as the people from the conservation group JARO and the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Charles University for organizing this successful event. Last but not least, our thanks also go to the municipality of Bolešov for providing the facilities in the premises of the sports house and the landowners assocation from Mikušovice for refreshment after Sunday work.

Príspevok The Czechoslovak conservation weekend in White Carpathians contributed to saving the rocky steppes zobrazený najskôr BROZ.

We opened another restored side arm

broz — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 07:49:35 +0000

Today we opened another restored side arm within the Danube inland delta.

We have thus released water into a 4.4 km long section of the river branch and into the wetlands and depressions that this strem feeds. As part of the work we carried out in the summer, we dredged 1.1 km of the branch together with the Nautilus company and installed a sluice gate, something like a water tap. Thanks to it, we can manipulate the water in the arm and the surrounding wetlands and, if necessary and for forest management, release less of it into the area. This option was requested by Forests of the Slovak Republic and managed to find a solution to this problem. Because things can be solved for the benefit of nature and users, as long as there is a will.

We are happy with this restoration, especially here, in the section greatly affected by the Gabčíkovo Dam, where water is generally absent. Thanks to this activity, we will be able to benefit a little more from the volumes that flow here and support fish, forests, amphibians. Life.

We want to thank to our partners from Water Research Institute for their expert study and cooperation.

Príspevok We opened another restored side arm zobrazený najskôr BROZ.

We restored grazing under the second largest peak of White Carpathians

broz — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:48:38 +0000

As part of the LIFE Endemic Panalp project, we are successfully continuing the restoration of flowering meadows and traditional pastures. Most recently, thanks to the project, after many decades, farm animals are grazing again in the saddle below Chmeľová, which is the second highest peak of the White Carpathians. It is interesting that a very frequent tourist route and the educational trail around Vršatec pass through the saddle. In order to preserve the free movement of visitors and at the same time prevent animals from escaping, we have placed special steel staircases at the crossings of the fence with tourist routes. At the same time, we installed boards informing about the importance of grazing and how to behave in the pasture. We know similar ways of harmonizing management with tourism from the Alps, and we believe that they will take root in our country as well. We restored the traditional pasture under Chmeľová in cooperation with a local young farmer, who thanks to this gained access to long-term uncultivated agricultural land. It concerns five hectares of overgrown meadows, on which a small herd of sheep grazes from September, which will gradually expand. We are already cooperating with the same farmer in the area of European importance Hrehorkové in nearby Mikušovce, and we are happy that our projects help not only nature, but also local residents. The meadows in the saddle behind the Vršatské bradlá were much larger in the past than they are today. They paid the price for lack of interest in managing such hard-to-reach plots of land. The renewal of grazing in the Chmeľová saddle will benefit, for example, the population of the clouded apollo butterfly. It also requires open forest edges for its life. Its caterpillars feed on Corydalis plants growing in the adjacent forests, but during warm spring days they sunbathe in the meadows. And after all, adult females also need free space to fly through the forests. For this reason, in the next few years, we will gradually expand and open the remaining meadows sensitively towards forest stands. In addition to the clouded apollos, in the summer months you can also meet even more endangered mountain apollo butterflies in the saddle, which sometimes fly here from the nearby rock cliffs for the nectar of flowering herbs. However, they are the ones that suffer a lot from the neglect of management in the locality, because they are being pushed out by expansive grasses, nettles and encroaching trees. And the best recipe for suppressing them is grazing animals. Saddle of Chmeľová hill is not the first locality within the SCI Vršatské bradlá, where we have managed to return thanks to funds from the LIFE scheme. We have been successfully grazing here for several years in cooperation with local landowners’ association, on approximately six hectares of south-eastern slopes directly under the cliffs. As part of the ongoing “PANALP” project, we are also expanding the meadows, which are one of the few locations in the world where the endemic Tephroseris longifolia moravica. After the flowering of this rare plant, a herd of cows from an agricultural cooperative in nearby Pruské village graze these meadows.

Príspevok We restored grazing under the second largest peak of White Carpathians zobrazený najskôr BROZ.

We organized a volunteer event for butterflies

broz — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 09:55:57 +0000

Last week, together with the Záhorie Protected Landscape Area Administration, we organized a team-building event for employees of Kaufland Slovakia. We took them to the Kyseľová Nature Monument in Kopanice. This site is part of the project because it is home to rare butterflies such as the Clouded Apollo, the Sloe Hairstreak, and the Large Copper.

Almost 40 volunteers enthusiastically started raking the meadow, which is full of orchids and many other flowering herbs in spring. Additionally, we also expanded it a bit by clearing an area that was occupied by non-native black pine saplings.

Thank you to everyone for participating and helping!

Príspevok We organized a volunteer event for butterflies zobrazený najskôr BROZ.