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"Protection of non-forest habitats in the Beskid Landscape Parks" (LIFE/BESKIDY "PL")
Start date: Jul 1, 2013, End date: Dec 31, 2017 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Background The Natura 2000 network sites Beskid Śląski and Beskid Żywiecki host a high nature value mixture of meadows and pastures which emerged as a result of longstanding farming activity. The botanical composition comprises mainly of native plant species, usually light-loving. Recent changes in land use practices, however, have started to pose a risk to the conservation status of priority species that rely on the farm habitats. Hence, a need exists to establish long-term sustainable solutions to eradicate threats to important habitats and their species in these Natura 2000 network sites. Objectives This LIFE Nature project aims to carry out actions that establish the right type of conditions for maintaining biodiversity by restoring and enhancing the quality of the Natura 2000 network sites. This will be achieved by project actions involving grazing, the removal of self-germinating trees and shrubs, and mowing, with the removal of the biomass. Habitat types listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive (southern Carpathian Nardetalia grassland and extensively used fresh mountain grasslands) will be the project’s main target for remedial action. This work aims to benefit plant species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive (Campanula serrata serrata and Aconitum firmum moravicum) as well as animal species listed in Annex II to the Habitats Directive (Canis lupus, Ursus arctos, Microtus tatricus, Carabus variolosus). Bird species benefitting from the project will include those mentioned in Annex I to the Birds Directive (Aquila pomarina, Aquila chrysaetos, Bubo bubo, Tetrao urogallus). The sustainability of the project actions will be assured by promoting the provision of long-term funding arrangements for habitat conservation within agri-environmental programmes. A communication campaign will also help to encourage long-term support for the project’s objectives and promote good management practices in Natura 2000 sites. Expected results: Expected results from the project include halting secondary succession and preserving 52 ha of land hosting Campanula serrata subsp. serrata and Aconitum firmum subsp. Moravicum. Mowing and grazing across 442 ha will help to restore and maintain valuable habitat types. Rehabilitation work will also take place on three hectares of southern Carpathian Nardetalia grassland. Tourism services will be introduced, visitor pressures will be managed, and livestock infrastructure will be provided to facilitate traditional land use patterns. Outcomes of these activities will help to improve the conservation status of Canis lupus, Ursus arctos, Microtus tatricus, Carabus variolosus, Aquila pomarina, Aquila chrysaetos, Bubo bubo and Tetrao urogallus.
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