Description
"In the past 20 years, the percentage of grasslands which are home to protected and Natura 2000 qualifying species of butterflies and birds strongly decreased in Goričko. This was due to land abandonment and agricultural intensification. The general aim of the project called Goričko meadows is more efficient management of three grassland Natura 2000 habitat types, Scops Owl and three grassland butterfly species. By mowing 60 ha of meadows in unfavourable conservation status, removal of alien invasive and woody overgrowth along with the removal of hay biomass, we will improve the conservation status of four target bird species, three target butterfly species and three target habitat types. At Natura 2000 Goričko we will establish monitoring of target butterflies, birds and habitat types. By informing and awareness raising among target groups (especially among farmers and meadow owners) we will achieve the inclusion of 10 new agricultural holdings into nature conservation measures of Agri-Environment Climate Schemes (AECS) 2014-2020 and the inclusion of 20 ha of new grasslands into nature conservation oriented measures of AECS. "
Summary of project results
In the past 20 years, the percentage of grasslands which are home to protected and Natura 2000 qualifying species of butterflies and birds strongly decreased in Goričko. This was due to land abandonment and agricultural intensification (change to fields or intensive meadows). Results will be sustained on 4, 67 hectares of meadows, purchased in the project and will be in the future managed by lead partner – Goričko Nature Park Public Institute. By informing and awareness raising among target groups (especially among farmers and meadows owners) we achieved that 58 new farmers with 79,75 ha of new grasslands joined the Agri-Environment Scheme (providing funding that enable farmers to protect wildlife habitats on agricultural land). The main objective of the project was more efficient grassland management at Natura 2000 site Goričko. According to measures requested by Natura 2000 management programme 80 hectares of meadows of 3 Natura 2000 habitat types were revitalized ( 5,8 ha of Natura 2000 FFH code 6210; 5 ha of Natura 2000 FFH code 6410 and 69,3 ha of Natura 2000 FFH code 6510). The outcomes are 80 ha of grassland Natura 2000 habitat types in better conservation status, established monitoring of four qualification bird species and two Natura 2000 habitat types along with increased number of key stakeholders of 32 people. The outcomes were reached in total. The main project outputs are: - 80 ha of mowed and revitalized meadows of three Natura 2000 habitat types (Natura 2000 code 6210, 6410 and 6510). - Conservation status of all three Natura 2000 habitat types, Scops Owl and three Natura 2000 butterfly species (Marsh fritillary, Scarce large blue and Dusky large blue) was improved. - Within the project monitoring of 4 bird species in unknown conservation status was established, along with the establishment conservation status monitoring of 2 qualification grassland habitat types (codes 6210, 6410 and 6510. - 58 new farmers with 79,75 ha of new grasslands joined the Agri-Environment Scheme due to our project activities. - Purchased meadows (4,67 ha) are included in extensive management of meadows carried out by lead partner. There were no beneficiaries involved in this project.
Summary of bilateral results