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Description
Restoration of wetland &grassland ecosystems important for Natura 2000(N2k) species and habitat types(HT) will be carried out in the Karst & Reka River Basin Biosphere Reserve(MAB KPR) & the Seasonal Lakes of Pivka Nature Park(KP PPJ).
MAB KPR encompasses a unique network of ecosystems with great geological diversity & biodiversity& a rich heritage. It contains 10N2k, natural values(NV) & 5 ecologically important sites (EPO), UNESCO and Ramsar site. KP PPJ borders with MAB KPR in the municipality of Pivka & comprises a protected area of intermittent lakes, 2 N2k, 3 EPO & 117 NV. The areas between N2k &other nature conservation areas are extremely important from the point of ensuring the connectivity, integrity & overall coherence of the N2k network.
Biodiversity &nature protection plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change(CC). Healthy &resilient ecosystems have a greater ability to mitigate CC. Wetlands are the world’s most efficient carbon sinking habitats per unit area. Active storage, binding of CO2 in soil and biomass, reduction of emissions are also characteristic for meadows (EU,2010; BF,2019). CC has become the biggest threat to natural heritage sites in the last 10 years(IUCN,2020) and ecosystems in MAB KPR & KP PPJ are not an exception. Less precipitation, higher temperatures &evaporation (Ogrin,2014; ARSO,2020) lead to greater drought & fire risks in meadows &wetlands. Extreme weather events such as storms cause erosion, soil & vegetation damage. CC exacerbates other pressures: invasive species, overgrowth, deterioration due to non-management.
Dry karst grasslands are among the most diverse HT in Slovenia. Meadow orchards are key habitat structures for birds & bats (LIFENATURAVIVA, 2020). Goršak (2010) recorded more than 3000 animal species there. Wetlands such as karst ponds &other small water reservoirs have provided water supplies in the past, but have a nature conservation role nowadays.
Summary of project results
The ReNature Project addressed the restoration of wetland and grassland ecosystems important for Natura 2000 species and habitat types in the Kras Biosphere Reserve and the Reka River Basin (MAB KPR), as well as in the Pivka Intermittent Lakes Landscape Park (KP PPJ) which are under heavy pression due to the climate changes.
MAB KPR encompasses a unique web of ecosystems with great geological and biological diversity and rich heritage. The areas between Natura 2000 and other nature conservation areas are of exceptional importance from the perspective of ensuring the integrity and connectivity of the Natura 2000 network. Nature conservation areas and biodiversity preservation play a decisive role in combating climate change. Healthy and resilient ecosystems have a greater capacity to mitigate climate change.
Wetlands are the most effective carbon sinks, and within the project, 8 ponds and 1 vaulted spring were restored, which, together with other water bodies, are gradually forming a suitable network of wetlands. Active storage and sequestration of CO2 in soil and biomass, as well as emission reductions, are also characteristic of meadows, with dry karst meadows being among the most species-rich habitat types in Slovenia. With the funds from the ReNature project, 39 hectares of dry karst meadows were restored in the Vremščica area.
Orchard meadows are also very important, being crucial for birds of cultural landscapes and bats. With project funds, 6 hectares of meadows were restored, in part of which high-trunk orchard meadows were established.
In addition to the investment works, a new management model based on the ecosystem services concept was developed within the project. To this end, extensive research was conducted to evaluate ecosystem services in the area. As an innovative approach to joint management, a Committee for Sustainable Development was established, which will contribute to promoting sustainable practices in the biosphere area even after the project''s completion.
The project ReNature achieved the following results:
- Increase in the areas of restored ecosystems whose functioning is reduced due to climate change: In the project, we restored 45 hectares of grasslands which were under climate change pressure and 9 wetlands.
- Increased integration of the ESS perspective into management models in the project area: We developed a new participatory management model based on ESS inventories and climate change adaptations and enhanced the capacity of different local stakeholders to manage grassland and wetland ecosystems. In total 114 experts were trained during the project implementation.
- Increased number of informed and aware target groups who understand the importance of conservation and restoration of wetlands and grassland ecosystems and their impact to mitigation of climate changes: Through an extensive awareness campaign, we informed and educated the wider interested public about the importance of ecosystems and ESS in mitigating climate change and adapting to it. All in all, 10.307 people were reached during numerous ReNature promotional activities.
Summary of bilateral results
The presence of the donor project partner NINA strongly benefited our ecosystem services assessment in the Biosphere Reserve Kras. Their support was important in conducting economic assessments of key provisioning ecosystem services such as food, water, and hunting, enhancing our capacity to conduct similar evaluations independently in the future.In addition to that, the consortium benefited by expanding and deepening its connections with research and conservation institutions from Norway. Among other benefits, this provided insights on management of protected areas in Norway and various innovative approaches in the fields of climate, biodiversity, and restoration issues, thereby enhancing Slovene partners capacity to adapt to and mitigate climate changes.