Protection of habitats Archívum

Roads through relics of river arms

Protection of habitatsBy Patrik Gazo 17. March 2023

The winter season is ideal for crossing the original river arms. Exposed majestic poplars and willows let us know where their paths led. Nowadays, most of the river side arms are only supplied with water for a very limited period of increased flows in the Danube. All efforts to tame our rivers have led to a deterioration in the condition of the floodplain forest habitats. The WILDisland project plans to restore and connect the two original relics of the arms, which once formed the very dynamic and varied Medvedovska river branch system, with the main flow of the Danube. We expect that increased groundwater infiltration will also improve conditions for the adjacent floodplain forests.

We exposed the rock cliffs on the Vápeč hill for the critically endangered Apollo butterflies.

Protection of habitatsBy broz 11. March 2023

In the past, foresters in our country reforested many rocky hills, mainly with stands of black pine. In addition, they have stopped pastures which have become overgrown with shrubs. This is how the Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo) lost its habitat in most of its locations of occurrence in Slovakia, thus recording more than 90% decline! in abundance.

Preparatory works for the restoration of the river branch in Kráľovská lúka

Protection of habitatsBy Patrik Gazo 9. March 2023

The first step towards the restoration of the river branch in the Kráľovská lúka area was the preparation of an expert study by specialists from the Water Research Institute.

We continue to restore the floodplain forest

Protection of habitatsBy Patrik Gazo 9. March 2023

At the beginning of this year, we planted a total of 4 850 seedlings in the project areas in Vojka nad Dunajom and on Veľkolelské Island (PLA Dunajské luhy).

We are monitoring the host plants of the clouded Apollo caterpillars (Parnassius mnemosyne).

Protection of habitatsBy broz 3. March 2023

We’ve made arrangements for clearing and grazing at the site of European importance Holubyho Kopanice. However, we will not begin until autumn, as we are searching, marking and planning at this time. The Corydalis plants that grow here are host plants for the caterpillars of the clouded Apollo butterflies (Parnassius mnemosyne).

Planting the host plants for butterfly caterpillars.

Protection of habitatsBy broz 28. February 2023

Butterflies are fragile animals by nature, and they need stable natural conditions for their survival. Stability vs. fragility need to complement each other in the butterfly world. They need a very specific combination of habitats for their survival. Therefore, in order for caterpillars and therefore butterflies to survive, their so-called host plants are important.

Solitary trees are important for butterflies

Protection of habitatsBy broz 25. February 2023

Solitary standing trees are an important eco-stabilising element in the landscape. The preservation and restoration of old fruit trees serves the function of saving and conserving our native gene pool, but they also provide suitable habitats for a range of invertebrates, cavity nesters and dormice in their cavities.

Monitoring of amphibians of the Danube floodplains 2022

Protection of habitatsBy Patrik Gazo 15. February 2023

In the frame of the project LIFE Danube floodplains monitoring of amphibians continued also during the 2022 season. Several areas within six locations were monitored. Amphibian reproduction was greatly affected by the simulated flooding regime.

The top of the Beckovské skalice site is suitable for “hilltopping” after clearing.

Protection of habitatsBy broz 15. February 2023

“Hilltopping” is a mating strategy in which insect adults seek out elevated, unvegetated sites in the landscape where their courtship flights and mating take place.

We’ve prepared suitable butterfly habitats in Beckovské skalice.

Protection of habitatsBy broz 15. February 2023

In the area of European importance Beckovské skalice we cleared the piles of rubble and rocks in the old stone quarry. The piles are made of rubble and rocks left behind after mining. Such spots – when sufficiently illuminated and covered with sparse vegetation cover and exposed substrate – are habitats not only for xerophyte butterfly species, but also for grasshoppers, spiders and Hymenoptera species.

Category Archives: Protection of habitats