Description
Czech nature is rich and diverse but also contains many vulnerable species. These species need an active protection. A document called an action plan contains guidelines for nature conservation authorities, researches and owners of land how to maintain endangered species populations. It is a special tool which provides complex knowledge of species and recommends the measures how to support the species. The project is about implementation of the measures. The Bohemian Early Gentian (Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica) is specially protected species therefor the “Action Plan for Bohemian Early Gentian” was prepared in the year 2011. The project meets a target of the state environmental policy of the Czech Republic for 2012-2020. The main objective of the project is the implementation of the action plan by habitat management of seven areas of species occurrence and monitoring of species occurrence in area of the Czech Republic. The project outcomes are increasing of quality of species environment by mowing or pasture and stripping of biomass of species habitats and also monitoring of occurrence and support of populations by sowing and repatriation. The project outputs are quality management of grassland in areas of: Jersínská stráň, Kamenný vrch, Na Jalovci, Vyšenské kopce - Bártlovy louky, Hořečky, Číchov and Hroby. The main output is increasing in population size by sowing and repatriation. Project will also include part of publicity and beyong excursions on localities. The target group of the project is primarily a species and nature-conservation authorities. Secondarily, the protection and connected activities will carry out the influence over the general public via education. There’s no project partner from donor countries, only a local partner – NGO ZO ČSOP Silvatica, pobočný spolek. The partner is contributing to the project by its expertness and experiences including human resources and know-how.
Summary of project results
Project Objective and Scope: Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica is a sub-endemic species in the Czech Republic whose occurrence extends into the border areas in Germany, Austria and Poland. Despite the difficulties in determining the species, in particular as regards distinguishing from the related taxa of the Gentianella genus, there have been historical records evidencing its occurrence at more than 700 sites in the whole range. In recent times, since the mid-20th century, there has been a major decline in its populations, with currently 73 known sites where the species has occurred at least once since 2000. However, regular monitoring is now only carried out at 68 of them, as 5 sites have become extinct in the past few years. Project Activities: Biotope Management The management measures was included moving, goat pasture and bush removal at the sites, accompanied by sod disturbance depending on the stage of the vegetation succession and the biotope conditions at each site. Support for the Recent Populations Support for the recent populations was carried out at the Na Jalovci Nature Monument where the number of flowering plants of this species has been low for a long time. The measures are intended to guarantee that as many seeds as possible reach places with optimum conditions for germination and growth. Monitoring of the Populations The 68 recent sites where the species occurs were monitored and the number of flowering plants was recorded in the season, at the time of full bloom or at the beginning of the seed production period. Data of the current condition of the site, i.e., management, vegetation conditions, etc., was also recorded at sites under extensive monitoring. Besides that, intense monitoring of the plants characteristics will be carried out at 29 sites. Repatriation of the Species Repatriation has been underway since 2012 near the village Boletice in three sowing areas at a predetermined site on Olymp hill, where the historical occurrence of the species is proven. The project assumes further sowing and monitoring in season 2015. The project covers 7 sites where suitable management was provided.
Summary of bilateral results