„Grazing is amazing“

Project LIFE SUB-PANNONIC focuses on restoration of rare dry grassland ecosystems which are currently threatened by succession and invasive plant species due to the abandonement of traditional grazing and management of these localitites. The restoration of the rare habitats is done with the help of four-legged mowers – sustainable management through grazing animals by local farmars. On the 22 localities across Slovakia, from the Small Carpathians all to way to Zemplín on the east and on 7 localities in Moravia the project improves the status of rare habitats and the protection status of population of floral species of European Importance: Himantoglossum caprinum, Onosma tornensis and Artemisia pancicii.

The project partners are the State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic and for localities in Moravia ČSOPK – ONYX.

We thank the administration of NP Slovenský Kras, CHKO Latorica, CHKO Cerova vrchovina, CHKO Ponitrie, CHKO Biele Karpaty, CHKO Malé Karpaty, CHKO Dunajské luhy, AOPK – CHKO Pálava and local farmers for their help with the implementation of the project.

Pasque flowers bloom on restored sites

This spring, one of the most encouraging signs of success has appeared on sites we have been restoring within the LIFE Sub-pannonic project – pasque flowers have started to bloom. These iconic species of dry grasslands are among the first to respond to improved habitat conditions.

How to deal with invasive tree of heaven without herbicides? Biological control is now legally available in Slovakia as well.

The product Ailantex, a biological agent for controlling the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), has been approved for use in Slovakia starting this year. This is a breakthrough in the fight against this aggressive invasive tree, which has spread to many areas of Slovakia in recent years and causes serious problems in natural habitats, urban edges, and protected areas.

Active weekend at SCI Veľký Kopec.

In collaboration with farmer Arnold Dócs, local enthusiasts, and tremendous support from OZ SAVE NATURE, we helped remove this picturesque pasture from Invasive alien plant species, as well as shrubs and dense woody vegetation.

Helping farmers means helping biodiversity

This weekend, we were once again restoring grazing at Drieňové. In cooperation with a local farmer, staff from the Cerová vrchovina Protected Landscape Area, and volunteers, we cleared an overgrown pasture near the village of Petrovce, removing invasive shrubs and black locust trees.

We support biodiversity by creating wood pastures.

We have begun restoring a wood pasture in Podunajské Biskupice. Grazing by domestic animals was once a natural part of this area. However, due to the decline of grazing, the land has become largely overgrown with self-seeded trees as well as various invasive plant species. We have therefore decided to curb this overgrowth through grazing by a mixed herd of sheep and goats.

We have published a brochure titled “Grazing is amazing.”

We have finally managed to accomplish something we had been planning for a long time: to publish a brochure about the importance of grazing in the landscape—for pollinators, flowers, insects, and birds—for biodiversity as a whole.

A page connecting farmers is almost finished

A website that promotes farmers who manage their land in an environmentally friendly way and connects them with buyers of their products is almost finished. The site, called Krajina živá, will be launched soon, and farmers who practice extensive grazing—keeping fewer animals or grazing over large areas—will be able to join gradually. In this way, they contribute to the biodiversity of the agricultural landscape.

The volunteer’s actions are continued on Veľký Kopec

In the middle of February, the volunteers had met to help again the pasture species in Site of Community Importance Veľký Kopec. The locality is known by the occurrence of steppe and forest-steppe habitats.

We were working hard on Pieskovcové chrbty

We are trying to restore grazing to the Pieskovcové chrbty locality, which will be crucial for the protection of rare species. So far, we are at least cleaning and removing air raids.

Volunteer’s actions ,,Nippers“

Volunteers from OZ Permoníci – the geocachers as well as other volunteers visited the locality Pánsky Diel for the 20th time! By their willingness they helped to develop the protection of targetted species and habitats.

Placement of educational panels in Cerová vrchovina

The most of activities, what we are engaged in are predominantly aimed to grazing restoration that provides the favourable conservation status of dry and thermophilic habitats. An essential part of project is also propagation of natural values.

We restore grazing on Fabiánka

In Slovak Karst National Park is located the unique Site of Community Importance Fabiánka. It is a wonderful mosaic landscape with pastures and open forests, which had suffered by grazing abandonment. That led to loss of protected and rare species bounded to non-forest areas.

Serényi’s water tank restoration = grazing restoration

Thanks to the implementation of project actions of LIFE Sub-pannonic on Site of Community Importance Plešivská planina the project team persuaded the owner of the unique historical grazing infrastructure located on the site, the Serenyi water tank, to agree with the inclusion of the water tank in the list of National cultural monuments.

Volunteer’s action on Tarbucka 2.0

In the end of September, the dry-thermophilic pastures in south of Eastern Slovakia was visited again for a second time by volunteers. The Site of Community Importance Tarbucka was established for a purpose to protect and to improve favourable conservation status of species and habitats of European interest.

The results of grazing restoration on Zemné hradisko

In the area of Zemné hradisko, which is a part of Site of Community Importance Horný Vrch, we succeeded by conservation management. The Russian bugloss (Echium russicum) is in our country as well as in the European Union the protected plant species – the species of European interest.

Goats grazing on Velky Kopec helped the return of a rare orchid

And at this time of the year the effort of the brave farmers and volunteers from the whole of Slovakia brought a reward – thanks to their help with protecting nature a rare orchid - Green winged orchid (Orchis morio) – is blooming on “Velky Kopec”.

Early spring conservation management in Drieňové

At the end of February, we helped nature in Protected Landscape Area Cerová vrchovina. We met with employees of the Administration of Protected Landscape Area Cerová Vrchovina, local rangers and volunteers.

Restoration of rare Tarbucka habitats

Tarbucka hill stretches over the villages Streda nad Bodrogom, Veľký Kamenec and Malý Kamenec. Thanks to its specific subsoil and suitable microclimatic conditions, Tarbucka hosts rare drought and thermophilic herbaceous vegetation and provides a home for many protected species of plants and animals. Thanks to these natural values it has been declared a Territory of European Importance.

Restoration of pastures on Zádielská plain

The species richness of our country is linked to non-forest habitats – they include thermophilic and xerophilous meadows and pastures, which we can admire in Slovenský Kras. These habitats depend on traditional management – extensive grazing and mowing. Unfortunately, most cities have not been farming traditionally for over 30 years. As a result, pastures are overgrown with aerial trees and expansive grasses.

Restoration of grazing at Veľký Kopec

Together we a local stakeholder Arnold Docs we started grazing at SCI Veľký Kopec in eastern Slovakia. The grazing will help restore rare steppe habitats including oak pastures which are full of life especially the insect and floral type.

Restoration of pastures at Silicka planina

It is the first year of project running and we already succeeded in restoring the rare dry grassland habitats. One of the first project localitites which was restored through grazing in Fabiánka, part of the biggest karst plain in Slovakia – the Silicka plain.

Project name: Conservation of subpannonic dry grassland habitats and species
Project acronym: LIFE SUB-PANNONIC

Project scheme: LIFE, Nature and Biodiversity

The project is implemented in Slovakia and Czech Republic.

Main objective: The main objective of the project is to improve the conservation status of 3 priority habitats of European importance and 3 species of European importance (of which 2 are priority) in 22 localities of the NATURA 2000 network in Slovakia and in 7 localities in the territory of Moravia (Czech Republic). At current state, the project sites are threatened by an overgrowth of aerial trees and expansive grasses and the spread of non-native species due to the abandonment of traditional management. Populations of target species are small and fragmented.

With appropriate management measures, the project will significantly contribute to the construction of the NATURA 2000 network in Slovakia, to the improvement of its functionality and the preservation of the natural heritage of the regions of Slovakia. In addition to improving the condition of the habitats in question, the aim of the project is to ensure sustainable care for the restored areas and to restore ecosystem services. A substantial part of the project activities will be implemented in cooperation with local farmers and communities, which will bring significant socio-economic benefits and contribute to job creation in the regions.

 

Specific Targets:

1. For *Onosma tornensis, it will cover all sites of its occurence in Slovakia within the NATURA 2000 network, representing cca 50% of the total SK/HU population of this endemic species.
2. For endemic species *Artemisia pancicii, 1 of cca 10 remaining sites worldwide will be covered.

3. Himantoglossum caprinum – the species will be conserved on northernmost edge of its overall distribution range. The respective populations are very endangered presently, with only a few indivduals left. The covered sites hold more than 80% of the overall SR population of this rare species.
4. *6240 – the project will cover and restore the core of habitats occurence in Slovakia and one of the most important sites in CR.
5. *6250 – some of the most important sites with this habitat type in Czech Republic will be restored.

 

If you are interested in similar activities in your area or if you need advice on the topics covered in the project, do not hesitate to contact us:

for Slovakia:
Katarína Mikulová, mikulova@broz.sk, +421 948 408 042
Ivana Czocherová, czocherova@broz.sk, +421 904 817 534

for the Czech Republic:
Vilém Jurek, vilem.j@gmail.com, +420 605 526 958
Ondřej Bukovsky, bukovsky.ondra@gmail.com

 

In the project, we pay special attention to the following topics:

  • Restoration of long abandoned and overgrown pastures (reintroduction of grazing to long abandoned grasslands)
  • The use of antiparasitics (drugs to protect livestock from parasites) harmless to beneficial insect species (e.g. dung beetles)
  • Nature-friendly and effective management of invasive species
  • Optimal management of project species * Onosma tornensis, * Artemisia pancicii and Himantoglossum caprinum (and other grassland species)

Himantoglossum caprinum

 

Onosma tornensis

 

Artemisia pancicii

LIFE Subpannonic project area

LIST OF ALL PROPOSED ACTIONS

A. Preparatory actions, elaboration of management plans and/or of action plans

A1 Expert study on restoration management of grassland habitats
A2 Expert study on restoration of target habitats by reintroduction of grazing
A3 Expet study on optimal management of target species

B. Purchase/lease of land and/or compensation payments for use rights

B1 Land purchase and long-term lease of land

C. Conservation actions

C1 Restoration management of grassland habitats
C2 Restoration of grassland habitats by reintroduction of grazing
C3 Specific restoration measures for target species

D. Monitoring of the impact of the project actions

D1 Monitoring of project impact on target species and habitats
D2 LIFE performance indicators monitoring
D3 Assessment of project impact on ecosystem services
D4 Assessment of projects socio-economic impacts and impact of dissemination actions

E. Public awareness and dissemination of results

E1 Awareness raising – public

E2 Awareness raising – key stakeholders
E3 Replication toolkit
E4 Increasing socio-economic benefits
E5 Networking and policies

F. Project management

F1 Project management and reporting
F2 Project bookkeeping, financial management and auditing
F3 After-LIFE plan

Status: completed

The project has been successfully completed as of July 2025. 

A. Preparation activities 

A1 Expert study on restoration management of grassland habitats
A2 Expert study on restoration of target habitats by reintroduction of grazing
A3 Expert study on optimal management of target species

Expert studies are complete and helped us to restore target habitats and species populations. We thank the experts on target habitats and species for their enthusiasm in creating studies and for valuable advice in the field!

C. Concrete conservation actions

C1 Restoration management of grassland habitats

We have successfully restored around 464.2 ha of target habitats! They extend from Dolný Zemplín (SCI Ladmovské vápence near Ladmovce, SCI Veľký kopec nad Kráľovský Chlmec and SCI Tarbucka near Streda nad Bodrogom), through Slovak Karst (in SCI Plešivská planina, on Silická planina – SCI Fabiánka, in Nature Reserve Zemné hradisko and on the Zádielská and Jasovská plains – SCI Horný vrch), Cerová vrchovina (SCI Piskovcové chrbty near Drňa village, SCI Drieňové near Jestice village), Inovec foothills (SCI Tematínske vrchy), south of Považský Inovec (SCI Sedliská above Hlohovec city, the vicinity of Bratislava (SCIs Biskupické luhy and Ostrovné lúčky) to Moravia (SCIs Ječmeniště, Bílý kopec u Čejče, Čejkovické Špidláky, Hochberk, Kamenný vrch u Kurdějova, Hochberk, Přední Kopaniny and Přední kout). During  nesting season, we focus on a different type of activity – especially the removal of invasive species, which is most effective during this time. We have succeeded in intervening against invasive plants on more than 137.3 ha in several project locations.

C2 Restoration of grassland habitats by reintroduction of grazing

After completing Activity C1, our strategy was to introduce grazing at restored sites—which effectively suppressed regrowth of invasive and self-seeding tree species. Cows, sheep, goats, and donkeys are very effective at managing young saplings and help restore habitats to their original state. That is why we help farmers adapt pastures to the needs of grazing animals (clearing them for the more sensitive hooves of cows, fencing them as needed, or providing shade and water for the comfort of our helpers). In this way, during the 2019 season, we launched grazing on Veľký Kopec above Kráľovský Chlmec as well as at several locations in the Slovak Karst (on the Silická, Plešivská, Jasovská, and Zádielska plateaus, and in the Zemné Hradisko Nature Reserve). Since the spring of 2020, in cooperation with a local farmer, we have also been grazing on Tarbucka Hill in the Dolný Zemplín region, which had been abandoned for many years. Above Hlohovec, thanks to the project, grazing has begun on the long-abandoned Sedliská site. In subsequent years, areas with restored grazing were added at the UEV sites Horný vrch, Fabiánka, Drieňové, Dechtárske vinice, Pieskovcové chrbty, and Biskupické luhy. In the Czech Republic, grazing also takes place at most sites following Activity C.1, specifically in the Ječmeniště, Bílý kopec u Čejče, Čejkovické Špidláky, Hochberk, Kamenný vrch u Kurdějova, Přední Kopaniny, and Přední Kout sites. In total, we have restored grazing on 541.3 ha in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic, exceeding the project’s expected results!

C3 Specific restoration measures for target species

The restoration measures implemented under action C3 were implemented on a total area of 31.9 ha (in both SR and CR) which led to habitat improvement for all three target species within our project areas. We also significantly increased the population size of Himantoglossum caprinum by planting 2,020 individuals cultivated ex-situ in suitable habitats, as well as thanks to improvements in habitat conditions for the species. The overall positive impact of action C3 is therefore very significant – in many ways exceeding original expectations.

For the species Onosma tornensis (syn. Onosma viridis), its habitat was improved on virtually all areas of occurrence of this species in both project sites – on a total area of 20.1 ha. Of this, 20 ha in SCI Horný vrch and 0.1 ha in SCI Palanta. The size of suitable habitat for the species was enlarged by 5.4 ha in SCI Horný Vrch. Furthermore, on 3.3 ha of potential habitat shrubs were cut by the Electric Distribution Company indirectly improving the habitat quality in the area.

For Himantoglossum caprinum (syn. H. calcaratum ssp. jankae), habitat conditions were improved on 2 ha and the size of the suitable habitat was enlarged by 1.1 ha. Habitat restoration and enlarging was implemented in SCI Zobor and SCI Nad Vinicami. Lastly, for Artemisia pancicii, habitat conditions were improved on 2.13 ha and the size of suitable habitat was enlarged by 1.05 ha. 

D. Monitoring of the impact of the project actions

Monitoring of all conservation actions (C and E actions) was successfully carried out from 2019 to 2025 by independent external experts. 

E. Public awareness and dissemination of results

Throughout the project, many media outputs have been published. Some notable ones is for example the report in regional television MA7, where the reporters came to see how the restoration of grazing above Kráľovský Chlmec is planned. And here is another one, from the period when grazing started. The project and its activities were also mentioned in the V4 news of television M1, on radio Slovenský rozhlas, on TV Slovenská televízia, in daily journal Új szó or on  portal bumm.sk, enviroportal.sk, dobrenoviny.sk, čas.sk, teraz.sk, sme.sk, obecne-noviny.sk, on web page Ministry of the Environment (SR) and several others.

Grazing on Tarbucka, for example, delighted readers of Korzár and Nový Čas.

Moreover, you can hear about the pasture with our Katka Mikulová on Denník N. In addition, we talked about grazing in the section Čierna labuť_FM in :Popo_FM on FM radio and Pravda Journal (https://zurnal.pravda.sk/reportaz/clanok/666119-slony-do-europy-mamuty-na-sibir-a-ovce-do-lesov/). 

By the end of the project, our 66 media outputs have reached a total of 4 475 971 viewers! 

As part of the project, we installed 32 educational panels and 22 objects of infrastructure for visitors, such as a wooden bench and 10 wooden statues. We look forward to visitors enjoying these pieces!

We have conducted 86 excursions for the public with a total of 1 523 participants; many of these activities were combined with volunteer work, during which volunteers and local farmers helped us clean up the pastures. Thanks to this, they were able to get directly involved in activities to help nature. 

One of the most important parts of the project is awareness-raising of stakeholders. We did this practically on a daily basis when we met with local farmers, breeders, representatives of urban districts, land communities or local governments. Altogether this effort amounted to 290 personal meetings with an amazing 905 stakeholders altogether! We also conducted 2 field workshops for key stakeholders, with a total of 50 participants. We also held 40 meetings with 137 key stakeholders, which were aimed at promoting the replication of the best-practice methodologies we developed as part of the project.  

We also achieved 22 replications of our practices on other independent sites – 9 sites in Slovakia and 13 in the Czech Republic.      

As part of the project, we established four expert groups involving 33 experts from Slovakia and the Czech Republic, specifically focusing on the following topics: (1) removal of invasive species, (2) reintroduction of grazing, (3) parasite prevention that is safe for coprophagous insects, and (4) optimal management of target species. 

We also established 4 information focal points which, staffed by designated project experts, served to increase the availability of specialized know-how and facilitate the transfer of experience into practice. At these points we provided 45 consultations sharing knowledge with landowners, farmers and public administration. 

11 contacts points for visitors were created within local municipalities, SNC regional directorates, private farms and included the BROZ office. These provided potential visitors with accurate information about the target habitats and their proper management.

The 2025 final conference of the project with 50 participants we summarized project results by all project teams, independent researchers, and site managers, who contributed to achieving the project results and monitoring them. 

We also provided jobs in the field of sustainable farming and tourism in local communities – through the Krajina žívá programme, a total of 10 local farmers cooperating with our project were involved in the website krajina-ziva.sk (“Living land”). A total of 89 meetings with 165 participants were held with the main objective of cooperating on the restoration of grassland habitats, grazing, restoration of dry grassland habitats, consultations on grazing management, habitat restoration and removal of invasive alien species, but also subsidies and opportunities to engage in agrotourism, the introduction of agricultural subsidies, certification of organic farmers, marketing of farm products and much more. 

A total of 55 networking trips and events were organized with 1 847 participants, focused on systematically building cooperation with key partners in the field of nature conservation and sustainable landscape management as well sharing of know-how and best practices.

Lastly, the project team also actively worked on involving conservation objectives in regional/national policies and cooperated on involving nature conservation objectives into national CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) policies for 2021-2027. Together, the project team improved a total of 12 policies.  As part of the creation of a new agricultural policy, we pushed for subsidies to farmers to be better redistributed and for the support of long-term nature-friendly management of grassland-herbaceous habitats. We are glad that the project activities are helping our farmers, and thanks to this good cooperation, the network of Natura 2000 sites has also been expanded. We were also successful in finding solutions for nature-friendly and effective management of invasive species.

Mgr. Ivana Czocherová, Ph.D –project manager

czocherova@broz.sk

Mgr. Katarína Mikulová, PhD. – assistant

mikulova@broz.sk

Mgr. Sabína Ondirková – assistant

ondirkova@broz.sk

Mgr. Zuzana Zverková – finance manager

zverkova@broz.sk

Mgr. Jakub Melicher – site manager

melicher@broz.sk

Mgr. Filip Rovný – site manager

rovny@broz.sk

Peter Lipovský – site manager

lipovsky@broz.sk

Mgr. Karolína Gelatičová – field worker

gelaticova@broz.sk

 

ŠOP SR:

Ing. Peter Oravec – specialist, LIFE ecologist

Administration of CHKO Cerová vrchovina


Ing. Drahoš Stano – fieldwork coordinator

We thank the administration of NP Slovenský Kras, CHKO Latorica, CHKO Cerová vrchovina, CHKO Ponitrie, CHKO Biele Karpaty, CHKO Malé Karpaty, CHKO Dunajské luhy.

 

ČSOPK ONYX:

Ing. Vilém Jurek – coordinator for localities in Moravia

vilem.j@gmail.com

Ondřej Bukovský – field worker

bukovsky.ondra@gmail.com

 

We thank AOPK – CHKO Pálava and the South Moravian Region for their help in restoring Moravian localities.

Local farmers help us with the restoration of specific locations. We owe the restoration and care of the site to:

ÚEV Veľký Kopec: Arnold Dócs with family

ÚEV Tarbucka: Juraj Kulčár and his son Dani

ÚEV Ladmovské vápence: Maroš Nemčík a Natália Zavidná with their families

ÚEV Horný vrch – Jasovská planina: Urbariát Háj and Agrodružstvo Turňa

ÚEV Horný vrch – Zemné hradisko: Urbariát Dvorníky and Agrodružstvo Turňa 

ÚEV Horný vrch – Zádielská planina, section Hačavské lúky: Július Hodermarský with family

ÚEV Fabiánka: Družstvo Silická planina

ÚEV Plešivská planina: Ján Belák with family; Vojtech and Gabriel Szendi with family

ÚEV Kečovské škrapy: OZ Pre našu budúcnosť-Kečovo

ÚEV Dechtárske vinice: Štefan Csank with family

ÚEV Drieňové: Július Zagyi with family

ÚEV Pieskovcové chrbty – Drňa: Csaba Balint with family

ÚEV Pieskovcové chrbty – Chrámec: Agrodružstvo Rimavská Seč

ÚEV Sedliská: Roman Halás with family

ÚEV Přední Kopaniny, Kamenný vrch u Kurdějova, Přední kout: Miroslav Vodák with family

ÚEV Ječmeniště: Tomáš Coufalwith family

Mokraď na Veľkolélskom ostrove

The purpose of the website www.krajinaziva.sk is to connect nature-friendly farmers with their customers. Agricultural landscape – our fields and pastures make up 51% of Slovakia’s area. Therefore, we care greatly about the way of farming and managing the land. It is essential for us to maintain the health of the soil and nature for future generations and to produce quality and healthy food with respect for nature.

In our opinion, little attention is given to nature-friendly farming and its benefits for the land. In addition, many honest farmers face a number of systemic and bureaucratic obstacles, which in many cases limit their agricultural activity. Our goal is to help change this situation and raise awareness of those farms who see the condition of the land as one of its key priorities.

Krajina živá

As part of the LIFE Subpannonic project, two educational online trails have been created in the vicinity of several South Moravian sites of European importance – Bílý kopec, Špidláky, Přední kopaniny, Přední kout and Kamenný vrch u Kurdějova.

You can find more about online sidewalks on the website of the ČSOP Onyx project partner.

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