Site importance
The Site of Community Importance, Biskupické luhy, is located within the municipalities of Kalinkovo, Nové Košariská, Podunajské Biskupice, Rovinka, and Ružinov, covering a total area of 916.35 hectares. It is designated for the conservation of favorable conditions for habitats and species of European interest. Primarily, it consists of soft and hardwood floodplain forests, water areas, as well as thermophilic oak forests and shrubs. The grasslands with the occurrence of the *Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (*important orchid site) are particularly important in this area, because they host several endangered species from the orchid family, such as the Adriatic lizard orchid (Himantoglossum adriaticum), the green-winged orchid (Anacamptis morio), or military orchid (Orchis militaris).
Project Activities for Improving Favorable Conservation Status
Within the framework of the LIFE SUB-PANNONIC project, focused on the restoration of dry grassland habitats and species, several activities are being carried out to improve the favorable conditions:
Tree Cutting for Pasture Expansion
Through sensitive tree cutting, we aim to restore rare non-forest communities that naturally existed here due to traditional grazing. Over time, optimal conditions for the occurrence and further existence of species associated with dry grasslands(steppes) were created by historically grazing the area. However, abandonment of traditional grazing led to gradual overgrowth by wood species.
Removal of Invasive Species
The goal of this activity is to remove invasive non-native plant and tree species present in the area. Common species include goldenrod (Solidago gigantea, S. canadensis), which is removed by mowing. We also combat the aggressive invasion of tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), utilizing expertise from Austria and the Czech Republic, applying the Ailantex preparation to the tree of heaven trunks. Unlike chemical preparations (herbicides), this involves only biological control based on cultivated fungi causing death to tree of heaven, thus environmentally friendly.
Traditional Pasture Restoration
The most important form of managing dry grassland communities is grazing. We have reintroduced sheep and goats to Biskupické luhy on several dozen hectares. Grazing directly improves the favorable conditions of habitats and preserves them, simultaneously enhancing conditions for the occurrence of protected and rare species, including not only plants from the orchid family but also a wide range of animals, especially insects. We have also restored grazing in forest communities, where animals help regulate invasive species and open the forest stands, creating conditions for protected species such as European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) and great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo). In all three activities, Západoslovenská distribučná a.s., is involved.
Public Awareness and Environmental Education
Volunteer work significantly contributes to Biskupické luhy. Several volunteer events have taken place here with the aim of removing overgrown trees and shrubs as well as old forestry fencing, which was originally installed here for the protection of cultivatated poplar stands against browsing by wildlife. However, it currently hinders the migration of grazing animals and other wildlife. Additionally, we organize environmental excursions for schools, farmers, and other interest groups to popularize the natural values of Biskupické luhy and demonstrate practical examples of nature conservation and restoration. The financial support for the implementation of project activities was provided by the VÚB Foundation.
