Description
The concept of the project addresses the problems connected with biodiversity decline, particularly by taking steps important for stopping the decline, which are embodied in legal regulations and conventions. Biodiversity decline is one of the most serious environmental problems of today. The project contains three basic steps that contribute to the cessation or deceleration of biodiversity decline in the Czech Republic. The implementation and preparation of nationwide rescue programmes addresses the critical situation of the most endangered species. The project includes necessary measures arising from the approved Freshwater Pearl Mussel Rescue Programme (three spheres of measures in total) and preparation of the Great Bustard Rescue Programme. Both these species are very endangered not only at the national but also at the European level. The implementation of regional action plans will allow regional support for significant and seriously endangered species which are often ideal candidates for a nationwide rescue programme but for which no rescue programme has been approved yet. The measures included in the project will considerably contribute to the cessation of biodiversity decline in the Czech Republic.
Summary of project results
The project was aimed at supporting biodiversity, which was dealt at two levels: theoretical level (creation of documents necessary for biodiversity support) and practical level (real field measures). Loss of biodiversity is one of the biggest problems in nature conservation, both at Czech and European level. Target species of Regional Action Plans (RAPs) were selected in the form of an umbrella species concept with the aim to support a number of other endangered species. In addition to the construction of the document itself, field interventions have been implemented at the same time. These have been proven already during the project implementation period - for example, the newly constructed pools for Minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus) were practically immediately occupied; the removal of the bushes and the cuttings in selected localities led to a rapid increase in the population of Grayling and other endangered species of insects; an increase in Eudontomyzon ma-riae population was indicated due to trout catches and rescue transfers. Negotiations on the further use of RAPs are in progress - it is expected that the interventions in favor of the Eudontomyzon mariae and Tetrao urogallus will be completed in 2018. As part of the implementation of the rescue programs, the action plan for the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) was updated; it was submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment. The aim of the action plan is to resume the extinction of the population of Great Bustard in the Znojmo region in order to implement measures suitable for other endangered species linked to the extensively managed landscape. Red Lists are one of the key documents needed to protect biodiversity with a wide range of uses for both professional and general public, state administration and nature conservation authorities. The successful implementation of the new lists ranked the Czech Republic among the best processed red lists in Europe. These lists are freely available on the website.
Summary of bilateral results