You can only find the rare plant of Thlaspi jankae, a protected species of European value, on Zobor mountain by Nitra, in the national park of Slovak Karst and in nearby karst areas of the Hungarian national park Aggtelek. It doesn’t grow anywhere else. Until recently this plant species had a relatively stable micro populations, although long-term endangered because of overgrowth of its habitats. However, in the last few years its micro-population on Jasovská planina in Slovak Karst, which has a lower occurrence of this plant (around 100 pieces), was shaken by the project  #LIFE_SUB_PANNONIC. In the positive way of course – only after the first year of removal of overgrowth of trees and plants and continuous grazing of animals its number increased to 1 500 of pieces! And this year its population grew to incredible 10 000 species, which means it is the highest one now in Slovak Karst.

A huge thanks for their help goes to the land-cooperative Haj, which manages the difficult restoration of the overgrown pasture and to the agricultural-group Turňa for the realization of extensive grazing that will keep the biotope of Thlaspi in a favorable condition for a long time. Together, as part of this project and thanks to a great cooperation with the management of the National Park and Biosphere Reservation Slovak Karst (Slovenský Kras), we restored more than 130 hectares of rare dry and warm grassland-herb fields – meadows and pastures in this area, which support the richness of species of our country.

Unique endemic – Thlaspi jankae

This inconspicuous biennial plant can only be found on two separate sites in Slovakia (Zobor mountains, National Park Slovak Karst) and in the northern Hungary. There are several micro-populations within the wider area of these sites. You can enjoy seeing its white delicate flowers in May and June, when the plant is in full bloom. It likes warm grassy places – sunny meadows and pastures, which were regularly mowed and used for grazing of sheep, cows, and goats in the past. This rare species is endangered today by the overgrowing of its habitat not only by trees but also by expansive herbs, because it has been many years since the cessation of traditional farming in most places.

#Grazing is amazing – under this slogan we are renewing grazing in various areas in Slovakia with the aim of protecting and restoring biodiversity of these places.

A symbolic prize for activities which are taking place on the Territory of European importance “Velky Kopec” situated above the town Kralovsky Chlmec in the east of Slovakia, was this year awarded to local farmer Arnold Dócs, who is cooperating with us on the project Life Sub-pannonic and local gardener, volunteer and supporter of goat grazing restoration in this location Arpád Kárnai. As part of the project, they began with goat grazing in this area with the aim of restoring grassland-herb fields habitats, which are home to rare species of plants and animals bound to meadows and pastures.

Along with goat grazing on “Velky Kopec”, they added more activities to protect nature. They are dismantling illegal landfill waste sites with the help of local inhabitants. Children were given a small reward for their help with garbage collection – a glass bottle with the inscription “I love Nagy Hedge (Velky Kopec)”. An area that was abandoned and difficult to reach for years has changed significantly – it is now a popular location for trips and various group activities, even wedding photography. On top of the hill, we installed an educational board and a bench with beautiful views of the surrounding area CHKO Latorica. 

Green winged orchid (Orchis morio)

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”. Its name comes from the fact that you could routinely find it in an “ordinary” healthy agricultural landscape. Today that is not the case anymore and this plant is not common anymore…It is a protected species of national value, which is vulnerable because of the disappearance of non-fertilized meadows and pastures to which they are bound/which they need. Around 200 orchids that were not known before in this area bloomed on “Velky Kopec” and confirms that our efforts at the renewal of biotopes in this area are going in the right direction.

#Grazing is amazing – under this slogan we are renewing grazing in various areas in Slovakia with the aim of protecting and restoring the biodiversity of these places.

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.

Decrease of pastures on Zádielská plain since 1950. Source: https://mapy.tuzvo.sk/HOFM/Default2.aspx

Rare species such as Thlaspi jankae, a unique endemic growing only in Zobor, in Slovenský Kras and karst areas of the Hungarian Aggtelek, can no longer live in such conditions.

Fortunately, thanks to the excellent cooperation with the National Park Slovenský Kras, we can restore these habitats within the LIFE SUB-PANNONIC project. This year we restored 21 ha of rare xerothermic habitats on the Zádielská plain, with the help of local farmers from Turna nad Bodvou.

Don’t be afraid – although the restoration looks drastic, within a few years, with the help of sheep, the pastures will be restored to their original beauty! Photo: Róbert Šuvada

Thlaspi jankae has suitable conditions for the existence and in spring it will surely please us with its delicate white flowers.

Thlaspi jankae has one of the largest populations in Slovakia on Zádielská plain. Photo: Róbert Šuvada

Traditional sheep grazing on Zádielská plain helps to restore and maintain grass-herb habitats. Photo: Karolína Gelatičová

We restore rare grassland habitats in eastern Slovakia at lower Zemplín area. Watch the short news story on TV MA7 about the restoration of Veľký Kopec.

If you do not understand Hungarian at least enjoy the nice shots :).

Pasque flower (Pulsatilla grandis)