Project title: Conservation of endemic species and dry grassland habitats in the contact zone of Pannonian and Alpine bioregions
Project scheme: LIFE+, Nature and Biodiversity
Project acronym:  LIFE endemic PANALP
Project code: LIFE19 NAT/SK/000895
Duration: 01/09/2020 – 28/02/2027
Budget: 5,279,511 Euro (75 % EU financial contribution)

 

Project focus: The main goal of the project is to improve the status of 3 priority habitats of European importance, 6 species of plants of European importance (of which 5 endemic) and 5 species of insects of European importance at 17 sites of the NATURA 2000 network in Slovakia and 7 sites in Hungary. At present, the project sites are threatened by overgrown trees and expansive grasses, as well as plantings and the spontaneous spread of non-native species, due to the abandonment of traditional management. Target species populations are often small and fragmented.

Through 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’s activities will be implemented in cooperation with local farmers and communities, which will also bring significant socio-economic benefits and contribute to job creation in the regions.

Specific goals:

1. Restoration of grassland habitats 6210 *, 6240 * (in Hungary also habitat 6190) and securing of long-term care for them
2. Improving the state of habitats and populations of Dianthus praecox lumnitzeri in Slovakia
3. Improving the state of habitats and populations of Tephroseris longifolia moravica in Slovakia
4. Improving the habitat and population of Crambe tataria in Hungary
5. Improving the state of Ferula sadleriana habitats and populations in Hungary
6. Improving the status of habitats and populations of Linum dolomiticum in Hungary
7. Improving the state of Vincetoxicum pannonicum habitats and populations in Hungary
8. Improvement of habitats and invertebrate populations Cerambyx cerdo, Eriogaster catax, Maculinea arion, Parnassius mnemosyne and Parnassius apollo in Slovakia

Crambe tataria

Steppe species, so-called “Steppe runner” reaching the western edge of its area in Pannonia. Endangered due to the decline of traditional management and overgrown sites. Target species in Hungary.

 

Dianthus praecox subsp. lumnitzeri

(c) Marián Mokráň

Endemic species widespread on rocky steppes on limestones, dolomites and volcanics in western Pannonia and in the foothills of the Carpathians. It is endangered especially by overgrowing of localities and the plantings of non-native trees. Target species in Slovakia.

 

Ferula sadleriana

(c) Róbert Šuvada

Pannonian endemic and relict, one of the rarest plants in Europe. The locality is threatened by mass tourism and the bite of numerous mouflons. The project covers 90% of the species’ population. Target species in Hungary.

 

Linum dolomiticum

Endemic and pre-glacial relic with a limited occurrence of about 140 ha in the Szénás hills in Hungary. There has been recorded a downward trend in population size. The locality is threatened by trampling by visitors, damage by game and overgrowth by non-native black pine.

 

Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica

West Carpathian endemic with a small area and link to mowed meadows and forest edges, usually in steep or other not so accessible localities. Populations are declining and are threatened by the extinction of traditional farming, overgrowing of sites with woods, and partly by animal bites.

 

Vincetoxicum pannonicum

(c) Bérces Sándor

Pannonian endemic, the project will cover all of its sites in the three territories of European importance in Hungary. It is endangered by visitors, motorcyclists and overgrown sites with non-native black pine.

 

Great capricorn beetle – Cerambyx cerdo

(c) Ivan Klučiar

A species tied to old solitary dazzled oaks. Its habitats are disappearing due to the overgrowth of former pastures and the planting of non-native tree species (black pine). One of our biggest bugs. Males have very long tentacles – their length is greater than the rest of the body.

Eastern eggar – Eriogaster catax

(c) Martin Jagelka

A species tied to a sparsely bushy slope and forest edges in lower, warm locations. It is especially threatened by overgrowing of localities due to the abandonment of grazing. Adult butterflies are active at night, but their presence can be detected by typical larval nests. Larvae are most common on sloes, hawthorns and wild pears.

 

Large blue – Maculinea arion

(c) Viliam Ridzoň

A species associated with dry extensively grazed steppe grasslands with scattered shrubs. It is threatened by overgrowing of habitats due to the abandonment of grazing and planting of non-native trees (black pine). The larvae are tied to the flowers of the Breckland thyme and oregano. They complete their development in the nests of ants (so-called myrmecophilia).

Mountain Apollo – Parnassius apollo

A species associated with the southern slopes with eroded, rocky areas with the occurrence of stonecrops. It is threatened by overgrowing of sites due to abandonment of grazing and secondary succession, as well as plantings of pines and other trees.

 

Clouded Apollo – Parnassius mnemosyne

(c) Pavol Kolárik

A species of mesophilic and drier grassland habitats and pastures on the edges of forests and forest meadows. It is threatened by the extinction of small forest meadows, overgrowth of forest edges with shrubs and planting of conifers.

 

Target habitats

6210* – Seminatural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (*Important orchid sites)

Very diverse communities with a dominance of thermophilic, xeromezophilic species of broadleaf grasses, sedges, perennial herbs, shrubs and semi-shrubs. Many localities are significant for the occurrence of species from the Orchidaceae family. In recent decades, these habitats have been gradually declining due to the cessation of traditional use, overgrown with shrubs, or monocultures of pines and other trees have been planted on them. Due to the great biodiversity of these communities, the occurrence of rare and biogeographically important species, it is necessary to maintain their sufficient representation and connectivity in the country. As relatively nutritious pastures, they are also of economic importance.

6240* – Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands

Xerophilic lawns with a predominance of narrow-leaved skeletons, perennial thermophilic herbs, shrubs, semi-shrubs and numerous spring-flowering terophytes. Typical steppe communities at the foot of the Carpathians and in Pannonia linked to drier and warmer areas or shallower and drier soils than communities of habitat type 6210 *. Due to the abandonment of grazing, secondary succession and planting of wood – often non-native black pine, habitats of these communities are gradually disappearing. They are a habitat for many rare species of plants and animals.

 

6190 – Rupicolous pannonic grasslands

Rocky steppe communities on limestones and especially dolomites with the occurrence of dealpine (mountain) plant species, as well as a representation of various endemic species. As less productive, rocky habitats have often been planted with Scots pine, black pine and manno ash, which has severely damaged many sites. This habitat is targeted in the project only in Hungary. 

Activities:

A. Preparatory actions

A1 Expert study on the ecology and optimal management of Linum dolomiticum

A2 Expert study on restoration and long-term management of dry grassland habitats in Slovakia

A3 Obtaining technical documentation and necessary permissions for infrastructure for action C3

 

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

B1 Land purchase and long-term lease

 

C. Conservation actions

C1 Restoration management of target species and target habitats

C2 Reintroduction of extensive grazing

C3 Diverting the pressure of mass tourism and game from target species

C4 Propagation of target species on project sites

C5 Restoration of stepping stone habitats for target insect 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 Networking and policies

E5 Developing of volunteer involvement

 

F. Project management

F1 Project management and reporting

F2 Project bookkeeping, financial management and auditing

F3 After-LIFE plan

For more information about project species, habitats, but also about means of their protection and management, eventually, if you plan to do something similar on other sites, you can consult with our colleagues: 

Mário Duchoň, duchon@broz.sk, tel. number: 0915 165 677

Pavol Littera, littera@broz.sk, tel. number: 0948 177 555