Nature & biodiversity life projects 2011

Nature & Biodiversity

LIFE PROJECTS 2011

LIFE Environment

Nature

Introduction to LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity 2011

LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity 2011: ­Commission funds 76 innovation projects in 22 countries with €136 million The European Commission has approved funding for 76 new environment projects in 22 countries under the LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity programme 2011. These projects will demonstrate new methods and techniques for dealing with a wide range of problems affecting species, habitats and biodiversity in Europe. The projects are led by ‘beneficiaries’, or project promoters, based in Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. They represent a total investment of €241.8 million, of which the EU will provide some €136 million.

LIFE Nature & Biodiversity in 2011 LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity projects aim to improve the conservation status of endangered species and habitats. Of the 268 proposals received under the 2011 call for proposals, the Commission selected 76 projects for funding. These projects will be carried out by partnerships of conservation bodies, government authorities and other parties located across 22 Member States. In total, they represent a total investment of €241.8 million, of which the EU will provide some €136 million. The majority (71) are Nature projects, contributing to the implementation of the Birds Directive and/or the Habitats Directive and the Natura 2000 network. The other five are Biodiversity projects, a LIFE+ project category for pilot initiatives that tackle wider biodiversity issues. The total amount invested in Biodiversity projects will be €14.5 million.

Background LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument to support environment and nature conservation projects throughout the EU, and in certain non-EU countries. Since 1992, LIFE has co-financed some 3 700 projects, contributing approximately €2.8 billion to the protection of the environment. LIFE+ is the European financial instrument for the environment with a total budget of €2 143 billion for the period 2007-2013. During this period, the Commission is launching one call for LIFE+ project proposals per year. LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity is one of three thematic

components under the LIFE programme. The other two components, LIFE+ Environment Policy & Bio¬diversity and LIFE+ Information & Communication, focus respectively on supporting pilot projects that contribute to the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments; and on disseminating information and raising the profile of environmental issues, or providing training and awareness-raising for the prevention of forest fires. More information on each LIFE+ project is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/ index.cfm Contact details for the relevant national authorities can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/contact/nationalcontact/index.htm

Index of Nature & Biodiversity projects selected in 2011 Location

Project number

Title of project

BELGIUM

LIFE11 NAT/BE/001059 Bocages

Conservation of habitats and ­species of bocage landscapes of the Fagne and Famenne

LIFE11 NAT/BE/001060 Herbages

Priority actions for grasslands and meadows in Southern Lorraine and the Ardenne

LIFE11 NAT/BE/001061 Most-Keiheuvel

Nature restoration Most-Keiheuvel

LIFE11 NAT/BE/001067 Life Hageland

Habitat restoration HAGELAND

LIFE11 NAT/BE/001068 Vochtig Haspengouw

Large-scale restoration of a c­omplex of ground- and seepage water dependent habitats

LIFE11 NAT/BG/000360 Lesser Kestrel Recovery

Greater chance for Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Bulgaria

LIFE11 NAT/BG/000362 Salt of Life

Urgent Measures to Restore and Secure Long-term ­Preservation of the Atanasovsko Lake Coastal Lagoon

LIFE11 NAT/BG/000363 LIFE FOR KRESNA GORGE

Conservation of birds of prey in Kresna Gorge, Bulgaria

CZECH REPUBLIC

LIFE11 NAT/CZ/000490 LIFE CORCONTICA

Grasslands and streams r­estoration in SCI Krkonoše: ­Future of Nardus grasslands*, Dwarf ­gentian* & Bullhead

DENMARK

LIFE11 NAT/DK/000893 LIFE LAESOE

LIFE LAESOE - restoration of ­birdlife and natural habitats at Laesoe

LIFE11 NAT/DK/000894 RARE NATURE

Restoration of rare wet terrestrial habitat nature types of national priority in Southern Denmark

FINLAND

LIFE11 BIO/FI/000917 ESCAPE

Ex-Situ Conservation of Finnish Native Plant Species

FRANCE

LIFE11 NAT/FR/000734 LIFE FRENCH NATUR 2MIL

Biodiversity restoration and conservation of remarkable military lands in southeast France

GERMANY

LIFE11 NAT/DE/000344 Hannoversche Moorgeest

Re-wetting valuable raised bogs in the northern Hannover Region

LIFE11 NAT/DE/000345 MainMuschelkalk

Vineyards and orchards on Muschelkalk limestone

BULGARIA

LIFE11 NAT/DE/000346 Greater horseshoe bat in ­Upper ­Palatinate: Optimisation Große Hufeisennase Bayern of ­habitats and public perception LIFE11 NAT/DE/000347 Grassland for meadowbirds Grassland for meadowbirds

GREECE

LIFE11 NAT/DE/000348 Schutz der Knoblauchkröte

Species conservation project ­ Common Spadefoot ­(Pelobates fuscus) in parts of the Münsterland (North Rhine-Westphalia)

LIFE11 NAT/DE/000353 LIFE LIMOSA

Stabilisation of the core ­population of the Black-tailed Godwit and p­ rotection of Dunlin and Ruff

LIFE11 NAT/GR/001011 Lesser Kestrel Thessaly

Conservation and Management of the Lesser Kestrel ­(Falco ­naumanni*) at three SPA sites

LIFE11 NAT/GR/001014 FOROPENFORESTS

Conservation of priority forests and forest openings in “Ethnikos Drymos Oitis” and “Oros Kallidromo” of Sterea Ellada

Location

Project number

Title of project

HUNGARY

LIFE11 NAT/HU/000924 Steppe lake grazing

Large scale grazing management of steppe lakes in the Hortobágy

LIFE11 NAT/HU/000926 REDFOOT

Conservation of Falco vespertinus in the Carpathian Basin

LIFE11 BIO/IT/000020 BIOAQUAE

Biodiversity Improvement Of Aquatic Alpine Ecosystems

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000044 GESTIRE

Development of the strategy to manage the Natura 2000 network in the Lombardia Region

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000068 Un Falco per Amico

Integrated effort for the conservation of the Lesser Kestrel in the SPA “Murgia Alta”

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000069 MED-WOLF

Best practice actions for wolf ­conservation in ­Mediterraneantype areas

LIFE11 BIO/IT/000072 LIFE STRADE

Demonstration of a system for the management and ­reduction of ­collisions between vehicles and wildlife

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000093 Pelagic Birds

Conservation of the main E ­ uropean population of Calonectris d. diomedea and other pelagic birds on Pelagic Islands

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000094 SOS Tuscan Wetlands

Control of invasive alien species to restore threatened habitats in ­inland wetlands of northern Tuscany

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000135 FAGUS

Forests of the Apennines: Good practices to conjugate Use and Sustainability

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000175 LIFE AUFIDUS

Habitat restoration actions in the SCI “Ofanto Valley Lake ­Capacciotti”

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000187 TEN

T.E.N. (Trentino Ecological N ­ etwork): a focal point for a ­Pan-Alpine ­Ecological Network

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000188 CON.FLU.PO.

Restoring connectivity in Po River basin opening migratory route for Acipenser naccarii* and 10 fish species in Annex II

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000210 One deer two islands

Conservation of Red Deer Cervus elaphus corsicanus in Sardinia and Corse

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000213 CARABUS

Protection and species habitat conservation for the consolidation of the Carabus olympiae population in Valsessera

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000232 Leopoldia

Dune habitats protection in the greenhouse landscape of the Gela Gulf for the safeguarding of L­ eopoldia gussonei

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000234 LIFE PRATERIE

Urgent actions for the conservation of meadows and ­pastures in the territory of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000252 MIPP

Monitoring of insects with public participation

LATVIA

LIFE11 NAT/LV/000371 NAT-PROGRAMME

National Conservation and ­Management Programme for ­Natura 2000 Sites in Latvia

LUXEMBOURG

LIFE11 NAT/LU/000857 Resto-unio

Restoration of Unio crassus rivers in the luxemburgish Ardennes

LIFE11 NAT/LU/000858 LIFE Eisleck

Restoration of wetlands and ­associated endangered species in the Eisleck Region

ITALY

Location

Project number

Title of project

MALTA

LIFE11 NAT/MT/001070 Project MIGRATE

Conservation Status and ­potential Sites of Community ­Interest for Tursiops truncatus and Caretta caretta in Malta

POLAND

LIFE11 NAT/PL/000422 Górna Biebrza

Preservation of wetland habitats in the upper Biebrza ­Valley

LIFE11 NAT/PL/000423 AlkFens_PL

Conservation and restoration of alkaline fens (code 7230) in the young-glacial landscape of n ­ orthern Poland

LIFE11 NAT/PL/000424 Niebieski korytarz Regi

The construction of the blue ­ecological corridor along the valley of Rega river and its tributaries

LIFE11 NAT/PL/000428 Capercaillie Protection

Active protection of lowland p­ opulations of Capercaillie in the Bory Dolnośląskie Forest and ­Augustowska Primeval Forest

LIFE11 NAT/PL/000431 „Ostoja Wigierska”

Endangered species and habitats protection of the Natura 2000 ­“Ostoja Wigierska” site

LIFE11 NAT/PL/000432 Ochrona obszaru PKOG

Protection of valuable natural ­non-forest habitats typical of the “Orle Gniazda” Landscape Park

LIFE11 NAT/PL/000436 LIFEGALLINAGO

Active protection of Great Snipe Gallinago media in Dolina Gornej Narwi Natura 2000 site

PORTUGAL

LIFE11 NAT/PT/000327 LIFE Maciço Montanhoso

Recovery and conservation of s­ pecies and habitats on the ­Madeiran Central Massif

ROMANIA

LIFE11 NAT/RO/000823 CARPATHIA Restoration

Ecological restoration of forest and aquatic habitats in the Upper ­Dimbovita Valley, Muntii Fagaras

LIFE11 NAT/RO/000825 NORTHWESTGORJ

Conservative management for 4070 and 9260 habitats of ­ROSCI0129 North of Western Gorj

LIFE11 NAT/RO/000828 FOR-MARSH

Environmental restoration and support of natural ­processes in the forests and eutrophic marshes from Prejmer and Harman

SLOVAKIA

LIFE11 NAT/SK/001032 STERNASK

Protection of the Common Stern in Slovakia

SLOVENIA

LIFE11 NAT/SI/000880 SI Natura2000 Management

Natura 2000 Management p­ rogramme for Slovenia for the period 2014-2020

LIFE11 NAT/SI/000882 LIVEDRAVA

Riparian Ecosystem Restoration of the Lower Drava River in Slovenia

LIFE11 NAT/ES/000691 DESMANIA

Recovery and conservation P ­ rogram for Galemys pyrenaicus and its habitat in Castilla y León and Extremadura

LIFE11 NAT/ES/000699 MedWetRivers

Natura 2000 management and monitoring programme for ­Mediterranean wetlands and rivers

LIFE11 NAT/ES/000700 PAF NATURA 2000 SPAIN

Elaboration of the Prioritised ­Action Framework for ­Natura 2000 in Spain

LIFE11 NAT/ES/000704 Ordunte Sostenible

Sustainable management of the Ordunte SCI for the ­natural ­conservation of the area and use of its resources

LIFE11 NAT/ES/000706 LIFE Renaix El Bosc

Conservation and restoration of Tilio-Acerion forests in the north of the Valencian Region

LIFE11 NAT/ES/000707 TREMEDAL

Inland wetlands of Northern I­berian Peninsula: management and restoration of mires and wet environments

SPAIN

Location

Project number

Title of project

SPAIN

LIFE11 NAT/ES/000711 TAXUS

Improvement of TAXUS baccata conservation status in north-­eastern Iberian Peninsula

LIFE11 BIO/ES/000726 bioDEHESA

Dehesa Ecosystems: D ­ evelopment of Policies and Tools for ­Biodiversity Conservation and Management

LIFE11 BIO/ES/000727 CONSERVASTRAGALUS-MU

Conservation of Astragalus ­nitidiflorus in its potential habitat in the Murcia region

LIFE11 NAT/SE/000848 RECLAIM

Restoring the conservation status for wetland habitats and species intrinsic to long term management practices in Sweden

LIFE11 NAT/SE/000849 SandLIFE

Restoration of habitats on sandy soils in southern Sweden

LIFE11 NAT/NL/000770 Blues in the Marshes

Habitat restoration & development for Scarce and Dusky Large Blue in N2K area Vlijmens Ven, M ­ oerputten and Bossche Broek

LIFE11 NAT/NL/000771 Floodplain development

Nature development in the ­Natura2000 upper floodplains of the river IJssel

LIFE11 NAT/NL/000776 Amsterdam Dune project

‘Amsterdam Dunes - source for nature’, dune habitat ­restoration project

LIFE11 NAT/NL/000777 Peelvenen

“Let the raised bogs grow” Natura 2000 Deurnsche Peel/ Mariapeel

LIFE11 NAT/UK/000383 PIP GB

Pearls in Peril - securing the future of the freshwater pearl mussel in Great Britain

LIFE11 NAT/UK/000384 IPENS

Improvement Programme for E ­ngland’s Natura 2000 Sites

LIFE11 NAT/UK/000385 N2K Wales

Development of a programme for the management and restoration of Natura 2000 in Wales

LIFE11 NAT/UK/000387 Scilly rat removal

Maintaining and enhancing the Isles of Scilly SPA through the ­removal of rats from two key ­islands

SWEDEN

THE NETHERLANDS

UNITED KINGDOM

Conservation of habitats and

L I F E 1 1 N AT / B E / 0 0 1 0 5 9 Bocages

­species of bocage landscapes of the Fagne and Famenne

Project background The conservation status of extensively managed hay meadows in Belgium’s Wallonia region has been assessed as ‘unfavourable’ under Article 17 of the EU Habitats Directive. Changing land use patterns continue to present risks to the wildlife that depend on these agricultural landscapes. Wallonia’s ‘bocages’ are also considered under threat from changes in land use. Bocages comprise a patchwork of very small parcels of land that are separated by hedges and ditches. Such habitats provide important green infrastructure for biodiversity.

Project objectives The ‘Bocages’ project is focused on improving bocage landscapes and extensively managed hay meadows (6510) in Belgium’s Wallonia region. The project is targeting 10 Natura 2000 sites, in the Fagne-Famenne district. The project’s four main objectives are to: • Re-create, in two areas, an adequate bocage network that will ensure long term conservation of characteristic habitats and associated species; • Restore a substantial surface of habitat 6510 within the bocage network; • Restore suitable habitats for the target species; and • Raise public awareness about conservation of our natural heritage. Methods used for the restoration of the habitats will involve land purchase, tree and scrub removal, mowing, mulching, and the creation of ponds, ditches, hedgerows and corridors. Public awareness work will be funded in order to improve understanding and support for the project activities. This is expected to help increase the number of nature conservation volunteers that can contribute to the beneficiary’s operations. Expected results • Purchase and legal protection of 100 ha of land; • Restoration of 150 ha of extensively managed hay meadows and associated habitats; • Improvement of habitat quality for the great crested newt through restoration/creation of 75 ponds; • Improvement of habitat quality for the greater and lesser horseshoe bats and Geoffroy’s bat through the restoration of 10 km of hedgerow or riparian corridors and the creation of 10 orchards (25 trees each);

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Réserves Naturelles RNOB (Natagora) Postal address Rue Nanon, 98 B – 5000 Namur BELGIUM Phone +32 81 390 720 Fax +32 81 390 721 Email joelle.huysecom@natagora.be Name of contact person Joëlle HUYSECOM

Duration of project:

84 months (01.07.2012 - 30.06.2019)

Total budget in euro: 4,120,000.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,060,000.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands

• Improvement of habitat quality for the southern damselfly through the restoration or creation of 1 km of ditches; • Improvement of habitat quality for the red-backed shrike through the planting of 5 000 trees and bushes; • Improvement of the bocage landscape quality within the project area through the information and education of people involved in landscape management (farmers, foresters and municipalities); • Improvement of the general public’s awareness about natural heritage conservation and the importance of the Natura 2000 network through various outdoor and indoor activities, as well as dissemination materials, including a short film about the project; and • Strengthening of the volunteer network through the organisation of field trips and workshops (nine activities for an estimated 270 people involved).

Priority actions for grasslands and

L I F E 1 1 N AT / B E / 0 0 1 0 6 0 Herbages

meadows in Southern Lorraine and the Ardenne

Project background The latest Habitats Directive Article 17 report on the conservation status of habitats and species highlights the particularly ‘unfavourable’ conservation status of grasslands. Belgium’s Lorraine and southern Ardennes areas are important regions for the conservation of semi-natural grasslands types listed in the annexes of the Habitats Directive.

Project objectives The ‘Herbages’ project aims to improve the conservation status of 400 ha of priority grasslands. LIFE funds will be used to support 11 different grasslands types, including six priority habitats. Conservation work will involve increasing the surface area of these 11 habitats. This will be achieved by improving the functionality of the project areas’ ecological network. Specifically, the project aims to: • Improve the conservation status of the 11 protected habitats (quantity and quality of the target habitats will increase over a total area of 400 ha); • Prevent extinction of the habitats’ characteristic species, especially those that are most vulnerable to fragmentation, by population reinforcements after the restoration of their habitat; and develop regional expertise in the restoration of rarely targeted habitats; • Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the implemented restoration actions by enhancing the state of knowledge on the distribution of habitats and their typical species, by assessing conservation priorities in the project area, and by better training of stakeholders; and • Improve the ecological connectivity of grasslands in and between the Natura 2000 network sites through the use of habitat ‘stepping stones’ and ‘corridors’. Methods used for the restoration of the habitats involve: land purchase (250 ha); restoration of ecological corridors and stepping-stone sites; logging site preparation; population reintroduction; mowing; and implementing an adjusted hydrological management and monitoring system. All of the 250 ha of land that is proposed for acquisition will be restored (60% of the project’s tangible actions will be implemented in the purchased land). The overall outcome will be the improvement of the conservation status of 11 Annex I habitats.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Réserves Naturelles RNOB (Natagora) Postal address Rue Nanon, 98 B – 5000 Namur BELGIUM Phone +32 81 390 720 Fax +32 81 390 721 Email joelle.huysecom@natagora.be Name of contact person Joëlle HUYSECOM

Duration of project:

84 months (01.07.2012 - 30.06.2019)

Total budget in euro: 9,587,813.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 7,190,859.00 (75.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands

Expected results Key expected results include: • Restoration of 400 ha of Annex I habitats (165 ha of priority habitats and 235 ha of non-priority habitats), as well as the establishment of the infrastructure necessary to sustain the project legacy after it completes its work; • Reinforcement of populations (for between four and eight species) typical of the targeted priority habitats; • Reduction of the habitats’ fragmentation level and improvement of the connectivity between SACs for the target habitats; • Purchase of 250 ha of private land, to expand the nature reserve’s protection of target habitats; • Improved regional expertise in terms of restoration of dry grasslands habitats; and • Training for staff at the Arlon offices of the state nature and forest authority in issues related to the conservation of grasslands habitats.

Nature restoration Most-Keiheuvel

L I F E 1 1 N AT / B E / 0 0 1 0 6 1 Most-Keiheuvel

Project background The project will take place in the nature reserves “De Most” (a peaty depression) and “Keiheuvel” (a land dune area), in the upper reaches of the Grote Nete river, ­Antwerp Province. The project area has a total surface of 540 ha and is entirely situated within a Natura 2000 network site. The area is unique for the favourable conservation status of the transition from land dunes to peaty depression. The target habitats are threatened by severe fragmentation, afforestation, tourist disturbances, and maladjusted hydrological management.

Project objectives The project aims at improving the conservation status of several habitats from Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Specific project objectives include: • To restore and reduce fragmentation of 20-30 ha of two habitat types - dune dry sand heaths with ­Calluna and Genista, and inland dunes with open grasslands; • To restore and reduce fragmentation of some 6 ha of transition mires and quaking bogs to form a robust cluster of 10-15 ha; and • To restore 70-90 ha of the two habitat types - alluvial forests, and old acidiphilous oak woods with Quercus robur on sandy plains/ Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with Ilex. Achieving a sustainable hydrological management ­system for the wetland habitats will benefit the conservation status of the fish species brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri) and spined loach (Cobitis taenia), which are listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. Methods used for restoring the habitats will involve: removal of young trees, humus layers, illegal constructions, exotic shrubs and invasive exotic trees; mowing; purchase of key land plots; facilitating fish migration; and implementing an adjusted hydrological management system. Expected results The project will result in: • Restoration and defragmentation of 20-30 ha of habitats 2310 and 2330 to form a robust cluster of 40-60 ha of these habitats; • Restoration and defragmentation of 6 ha of habitat 7140 to form a cluster of 10-15 ha; • Expansion of habitats 9190 and 9120 by 70-90 ha;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Vlaamse Overheid - Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos Postal address Koning Albert II laan 20 B – 1000 Brussels BELGIUM Phone +32 3 224 94 82 Fax +32 3 224 60 90 Email ant.anb@antwerpen.be Name of contact person Dirk JORDAENS

Duration of project:

60 months (01.06.2012 - 31.05.2017)

Total budget in euro: 4,095,945.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,047,972.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Forests

• Improvements to the prospects for target species ­(including IUCN Red list species); • The establishment of conditions to facilitate long-term sustainable management of the target habitats; and • The establishment of a sustainable hydrological management system to guarantee a “favourable” conservation status for habitats 7140 and 91E0 and for the brook lamprey and spined loach

Habitat restoration HAGELAND

L I F E 1 1 N AT / B E / 0 0 1 0 6 7 L i fe H a g e l a n d

Project background The project area is situated in an area which contains a soil base ranging from sand to loam. This hosts a large and unique range of biodiversity. However, these h ­ abitats are very vulnerable because of significant fragmentation.

Project objectives The core aim of this project is to restore a mosaic of ­Annex I habitat types including: wet grasslands, dry grasslands and heaths, woodland, mires and ponds. ­Species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive will benefit from the project, which is located in central B ­ elgium. Actions proposed for the project include: • Increasing the coverage of well-developed Moliniameadows (6410) and Arrhenatherion grasslands (6510) via 30 ha of habitat restoration; • Improving the coverage and quality of species-rich transition mires (7140) and the aquatic habitat Magnopotamium (3150) over a 2.5 ha target area. Such works are expected to encourage bitterns to return and breed in the project area; • Improving the coverage and quality of alluvial forests and alder-ash woods (91E0); • Re-establishing 25 ha of wet forest-types by removing (poplar) plantations; • Increasing the coverage of all heath land habitats by works in an area of 10 ha targeting mainly Nardusgrasslands (6230) European dry heaths (4030), inland dunes with open Corynephorus- and Agrostisgrasslands (2330) and inland dunes (2310); • Removing invasive alien species on a large scale, especially in the alluvial forests and ash-alder woods; • Securing a more favourable conservation status for populations of two Annex II species (Triturus cristatus and Luronium natans); and • Initiating a sustainable land management plan and system for all project sites. This will involve appropriate mowing and grazing regimes and making use of local voluntary sector inputs. Habitat restoration actions by the project aim to benefit populations of target Annex I species of the Birds ­Directive, such as Botaurus stellaris, Circus aeruginosus, Porzana porzana and Luscinia svecica. In order to protect and connect the target habitats and to develop sufficiently large populations of the target species, some 100 ha of land will be purchased. Sixteen locations within the project area’s two Natura 2000 network sites will be targeted for habitat connectivity work in order to redress concerns of fragmentation.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Natuurpunt Beheer vzw Postal address Coxiestraat 11 B – 2800 Mechelen BELGIUM Phone +32 15 29 72 56 Fax +32 15 42 49 21 Email Tom.debeelde@natuurpunt.be Name of contact person Tom DE BEELDE

Duration of project:

72 months (01.09.2012 - 31.08.2018)

Total budget in euro: 6,382,267.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 3,829,360.00 (60.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands

The project also aims to integrate nature recreation benefits in its outcomes and act as an example of good practice for public participation in nature conservation activity. Overall goals for this approach aim to increase local communities’ understanding and appreciation of and involvement in the Natura 2000 network. Expected results • The project will result in the restoration of 116 ha of land, including 5 ha of wet grasslands; 10 ha of dry grasslands and heaths; 25 ha of woodland; 2.5 ha of mires; and 2.5 ha of ponds; • Some 20 ha of invasive plant species will be removed and grazing management introduced over 30 ha; and • Twenty pools will be excavated and improved for the benefit of Triturus cristatus and Luronium natans. Following completion of the project, the Hageland area will be one of the core areas in lowland Europe for T­ riturus cristatus, Luronium natans, Botaurus ­ stellaris, Circus ­aeruginosus, Porzana porzana and Luscinia svecica.

Large-scale restoration of a

L I F E 1 1 N AT / B E / 0 0 1 0 6 8 Vochtig Haspengouw

­complex of ground- and seepage water dependent habitats

Project background Belgium’s Vochtig Haspengouw region in Flanders contains the Mombeek and Demer valley, which hosts unique habitats and species listed under the Habitats Directive. Such habitats and species are protected under EU law but they remain at risk from a number of inter-related threats which need to be tackled in order to safeguard their long-term conservation status.

Project objectives Three Natura 2000 network sites will be assisted by the LIFE Nature project which aims to target its action in 10 different locations around Haspengouw between Hasselt, Tongeren and Maastricht. Habitat restoration actions here aim to target: • A complex of Annex I habitats dependent on groundwater and seepage water. The project area holds national and international importance for such habitats, which include 25 ha forests on extremely wet soils with a large diversity of sub-types, as well as (on drier soil) 15 ha of lowland hay meadows in combination with hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities and very locally also EU-Molinion (6410) habitats; and • Some 10 ha of drier habitat types (typical for a semidry, poor sandy soil) that are of great importance as a stepping stone between the Campine region and the Haspengouw region. These include old oak forests, dry heathland and Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix. Furthermore, the project aims to integrate nature recreation benefits in its outcomes, promote voluntary action in nature conservation and act as an example of good practice for public participation partnerships in nature conservation activity. Overall goals for this approach aim to increase local communities’ understanding, appreciation and involvement in the Natura 2000 network. Following completion of the project, the pSCI will be one of the key areas in lowland Europe for the target habitats and target species. Expected results The project expects to achieve the following results: • Restoration of 15 ha of wet grasslands/tall herbs (codes 6510 and 6430); • Restoration of more than over 20 ha of swamp woodland (91E0); and

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Natuurpunt Beheer vzw Postal address Coxiestraat 11 B – 2800 Mechelen BELGIUM Phone +32 15 29 72 56 Fax +32 15 42 49 21 Email Tom.debeelde@natuurpunt.be Name of contact person Tom DE BEELDE

Duration of project:

72 months (01.09.2012 - 31.08.2018)

Total budget in euro: 3,773,426.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,264,055.00 (60.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands

• Restoration of 3 ha of heaths and oak-birch woodland (4030, 9190). Such results will incorporate two horizontal actions leading to: • Removal of invasive plant species from 24 ha of habitat 91E0 and 6 ha of habitat 9190; • Establishment of grazing management across 20 ha of various target habitats (91E0, 6430, 6510). After the LIFE project, the valley ecosystem of Mombeek and Demer is expected to be one of the core areas in lowland Europe for several Annex I habitats, especially for alluvial forests, wet grasslands, old oak forests and moist and dry heathland systems. Furthermore, better visitor facilities will be created and information about the area will be produced (brochures, leaflets, flyers and a film) resulting in improved socio-economic support of the Natura 2000 area. More people are expected to visit the nature reserve, showing respect for its natural values.

Greater chance for Lesser Kestrel

L I F E 1 1 N AT / B G / 0 0 0 3 6 0 Lesser Kestrel Recovery

(Falco naumanni) in Bulgaria

Project background The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a globally endangered falcon whose numbers are very low in Bulgaria. The breeding population is declining because of threats such as the loss of foraging habitats and the use of pesticides. The bird lives alongside humans and breeds in human settlements.

Project objectives The overall objective of the project is to support and strengthen the populations of the globally endangered lesser kestrel in Bulgaria through a series of direct conservation measures and wider public involvement. Specific objectives include: • Screening of the provisions of EU Rural Development Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy for practices affecting the lesser kestrel; • The identification of lesser kestrel friendly agri-environment payments within national operational programmes, and their promotion among local stakeholders and land-users; • The recommendation of appropriate management practices to be mainstreamed in the Natura 2000 management plans of the target sites; • The identification of lesser kestrel-friendly construction practices and the development and dissemination of a manual among construction companies and the general public; • The drawing up of a lesser kestrel national action plan in order to ensure sustainability and the enforcement of the identified favourable conservation measures. The project also aims to enable lesser kestrel restocking in Bulgaria, through captive breeding and the translocation of young non-fledged birds from Spain. This will be achieved through the adaptation and application of best practices for lesser kestrel conservation introduced and implemented by the Spanish associate beneficiary, DEMA. The beneficiary will work towards establishing a free colony of lesser kestrels in the “Sakar” SPA and towards creating “favourable” conditions for natural re-establishment in adjacent SPAs – “Byala reka” and “Krumovitsa”. Expected results • Approved national action plans for the lesser kestrel; • The adoption of traditional and kestrel friendly landuse practices among a minimum of 30 landowners;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Green Balkans - Stara Zagora Postal address Stara planina No 9 BG – 6000 Stara Zagora BULGARIA Phone +359 885219557 Fax N/A Email ekmetova@greenbalkans.org Name of contact person Elena KMETOVA

Duration of project:

60 months (01.09.2012 - 01.09.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,377,836.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,033,377.00 (75.00%)

Theme: Species-Birds

• A newly-established 10 ha lesser kestrel foraging habitat in the Sakar SPA and the pilot clearing of 2 ha of pastures in the Krumovitsa and Byala reka SPAs; • Some 170 chicks from the DEMA breeding facilities (Spain) to be successfully transported and accommodated in Sakar SPA; • A captive breeding stock of 20 lesser kestrels in the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre in Stara Zagora, producing some 10-60 chicks per year to supplement the release programme; • A total of 160-200 juvenile lesser kestrels released, or a minimum of 40 birds in the release site per year for four years (2013-2016); • A lesser kestrel demonstration and information centre will be established in the Sakar SPA; • More than 1 500 people will be introduced to the work of the project with the target species; and • A trans-border network of experts dealing with lesser kestrel conservation in the Balkans will be established.

Urgent Measures to Restore and

L I F E 1 1 N AT / B G / 0 0 0 3 6 2 S a l t o f L i fe

Secure Long-term Preservation of the Atanasovsko Lake Coastal Lagoon Project background Atanasovsko Lake is a part of the Bourgas lake complex, one of the three most significant wetland complexes for congregations of waterfowl along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The Atanasovsko Lake area provides suitable habitats for 105 species included in Annex 2 of the Bulgarian Biodiversity Act (needing special conservation measures), of which 103 are listed also in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. The lake is located at the Via Pontica migration flyway and is the site with the largest concentrations of migrating white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) and red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus) in Europe and the second largest concentration of the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina) after the Bosphorus. Three types of habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive are found in the Atanasovsko Lake, but the lagoon habitat is threatened by changes to the hydrological regime, drying, a degraded connection with the sea, pollution and eutrophication.

Project objectives The main aim of the ‘Salt of Life’ project is to establish a functional, efficient and sustainable infrastructure for water management and the control of the coastal lagoon in Atanasovsko Lake. This will provide long-term improvements to habitat conditions and enable adaptation to the effects of climate change. The project also aims to: • Reduce the impact of direct and indirect threats on Atanasovsko Lake lagoon and its priority bird species by securing sustainable habitat management, including improving existing and creating new breeding sites for priority bird species; • Monitor and evaluate the effects of the proposed habitat restoration measures on the lagoon, other significant habitats, and Annex I bird species, and to feed this information into future site management plans; • Improve the visitor experience at the site and to disseminate the project results to a wide European audience of site managers, ecologists and the general public; • Enhance public understanding of the ecological, economic and social values of the coastal lagoons and raise support for the conservation of priority coastal habitats and bird species. Expected results Specific outcomes will include the establishment of functional, efficient and sustainable infrastructure for water

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation (BBF) Postal address Banishora district, bl.54 (Entrance D, app. 86) BG – 1233 Sofia BULGARIA Phone +359 56987959 Fax N/A Email radostina.tzenova@biodiversity.bg Name of contact person Radostina TZENOVA

Duration of project:

74 months (01.07.2012 - 31.08.2018)

Total budget in euro: 1,935,368.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,450,558.00 (74.95%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

management and the control of the coastal lagoon in Atanasovsko, as well the mitigation of the impact of direct and indirect threats to the lagoon and its priority bird species by securing sustainable habitat management, including improvements to existing breeding sites and the creation of new sites for priority bird species. The project will also increase public understanding and support for the ecological, economic and social values of the coastal lagoons. In the long term, the habitat improvements and other beneficial changes brought about through the project will make an important contribution to efforts to increase the populations of a number of Annex I species including: • Collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola); • Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus); • Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta); • Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus); • Little tern (Sterna albifrons); • Common tern (Sterna hirundo); • Gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica); and • Sandwich tern (Sterna sandvicensis).

Conservation of birds of prey in

L I F E 1 1 N AT / B G / 0 0 0 3 6 3 LIFE FOR KRESNA GORGE

Kresna Gorge, Bulgaria

Project background Following reintroductions carried out in early 2010, the Kresna Gorge is now the second most important area for the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Bulgaria, after Eastern Rhodopi, with three breeding pairs in 2011 and up to 20 birds present throughout the year. The site is also very important as a foraging area and as a ‘stepping stone’ for young griffon vultures on their migration from former Yugoslavian countries to the Bosphorus and back. In south-west Bulgaria, three-to-five single adult or immature specimens of the Egyptian vulture (neophron percnopterus) are present each year during the breeding season – some 5% of the Bulgarian population of the species. It is believed that south-west Bulgaria has the capacity to hold a stable population of some 10 breeding pairs. To achieve this goal, intensive direct and indirect conservation measures are required in order to concentrate the available birds in a safe area, attract new ones and support reproduction. The Kresna Gorge is a very important area for other raptors also, as well as for other bird, reptile, mammal and plant species.

Project objectives The project aims to restore the populations of birds of prey and other emblematic species in south-west Bulgaria by reducing the impact of direct persecution and other indirect threats, maintaining and enhancing the habitats of birds of prey, reptiles and mammals in the Natura 2000 site designated for these species, and by promoting a positive attitude to birds of prey in key sectors. These aims will be achieved by: • Implementing field actions according to the international action plans for birds of prey species, and the current ecological needs of the species present in the project area; • Implementing field actions to improve breeding and foraging conditions for birds of prey; • Applying state-of-the-art conservation methods and technologies, such as the release of rehabilitated and captive-bred griffon and Egyptian vultures to boost their populations in the Struma river valley; and • Captive breeding, acclimatisation and rehabilitation of vultures to support the restoration of their populations. Expected results The project expects to achieve the following quantified results:

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna Postal address Ivan Mihaylov 49 - Room 327 BG – 2700 Blagoevgrad BULGARIA Phone +359 73 88 14 40 Fax +359 73 88 14 40 Email pirin@fwff.org Name of contact person Emilian STOYNOV

Duration of project:

54 months (01.06.2012 – 30.11.2016)

Total budget in euro: 376,891.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 188,445.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Species-Birds

• Increase the griffon vulture colony in Kresna Gorge from 1-3 pairs to 8-12 pairs; • Establish a local breeding facility for vultures; and • Establish a facility for the rehabilitation and safe reproduction of land tortoises. It is also expected that, as a result of the project actions, the Egyptian vulture will be frequently present in the project area, that at least one new breeding attempt will be registered, and that three municipal feeding sites for scavenging birds of prey are established and operational.

Grasslands and streams

L I F E 1 1 N AT / C Z / 0 0 0 4 9 0 LIFE CORCONTICA

­restoration in SCI Krkonoše: F­ uture of Nardus grasslands*, Dwarf ­gentian* & Bullhead Project background The Natura 2000 site of Krkonoše hosts some important habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive: 6230 species-rich Nardus grassland on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in continental Europe); 6510 lowland hay meadows; and 6520 mountain hay meadows. It is also home to two of the three populations of the Annex II-listed plant species: Gentianella bohemica in the East-Sudeten mountains; and a bullhead (Cottus gobio) population.

Project objectives The project aims to create suitable conditions to ensure the “favourable” conservation status of the grassland habitat types 6510, 6520 and 6230, and of the EU priority species Gentianella bohemica and bullhead in SCI Krkonoše. In this way, it aims to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and to the performance of the Natura 2000 network.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Park-Reserve authority Name of beneficiary Správa Krkonošského národního parku Postal address Dobrovského 3 CZ - 543 01 Vrchlabí CZECH REPUBLIC Phone +420 499 456 224 Fax +420 499 456 216 Email tjanata@krnap.cz Name of contact person Tomáš JANATA

Duration of project:

71 months (01.06.2012 - 30.04.2018)

Specific project objectives include: • Restoring the habitats of Community importance 6230, 6510 and 6520 in the selected key enclaves; • Preventing invasive plant species from causing damage to these habitats; • Creating suitable conditions to ensure the sustainable existence of the three target habitats; • Supporting habitat 6230 through the introduction of sustainable farming practices; • Supporting the populations of Gentianella bohemica; and • Optimising conditions for the bullhead. The project should contribute to a fundamental improvement in the quality of the target habitats. Other aims include the acquisition of new knowledge on the management and requirements of these habitats and species, and the establishment of a suitable management system in cooperation with farmers. The project will have a good demonstration aspect, and accompanying information and public awareness activities will motivate other owners and land users in other parts of the SCI. It will highlight the potential for restoring more areas of currently degraded grasslands in the Krkonoše Mountains. Expected results • Restoration of 425 ha of target habitats (215 ha of 6230*, 31 ha of 6510 and 179 ha of 6520); • Development of a strategy for using areas hosting the target habitats;

Total budget in euro: 3,588,573.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,691,429.00 (75.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands

• Management of three sites of Gentianella bohemica*, reaching a minimum threshold of criteria for viability of its population according to the Czech action plan, i.e. a population size of 100 individuals or more in at least three of the 10 years following the end of the project and a minimum population size of 10 individuals in every year; • A plan for the long-term care of watercourses, including the setting out of conditions for water management, the development of suitable watercourses within at least 150 km of continuous water network; 2-5 km of restored sections of watercourses; 5-15 cleared migration barriers; and more than 100 km of watercourses inhabited by the bullhead; • Optimised fishery management at sites where the bullhead occurs; and • Raised public awareness of the importance of non-forest habitats and small water courses and of their suitable management with respect to the target species and habitats. The participation of 20 municipalities, 80 local farmers, administrators of watercourses, fishermen and others is expected.

LIFE LAESOE - restoration of

L I F E 1 1 N AT / D K / 0 0 0 8 9 3 LIFE LAESOE

­birdlife and natural habitats at Laesoe

Project background The habitats and associated species on the Jutland peninsula in northern Denmark are vulnerable and under threat. For example, the latest assessment of the conservation status of the Annex I designated Laesoe habitat types, found that eight were in a “less favourable” conservation status and all the designated species were considered threatened. There are a number of reasons for this, the most important being the lack of a coherent and integrated land management approach. This is primarily due to the very fragmented structure of land ownership, with 336 individual owners of more than 1 700 individual plots. Other reasons include: the lack of appropriate grazing by livestock; overgrowth with woody species (both native and non native); the spread of invasive alien species (Japanese rose and cord grass); inappropriate hydrology (in some areas); and predation on breeding meadow birds.

Project objectives The project’s overall objective is to restore birdlife and Laesoe habitats of EU importance. Specific objectives include: • The establishment of a sustainable grazing system that enables an improvement in the conservation status of coastal habitats, dunes, wetlands and grasslands habitats; • To secure the “favourable” conservation status of several important breeding bird species (dunlin, avocet, wood sandpiper, Arctic tern and little tern); • To control invasive alien plant species (e.g. Japanese rose, cord grass and exotic tree species); and • To improve the feeding conditions for the dunlin, avocet, bar-tailed godwit and dark-bellied brent goose.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary National authority Name of beneficiary Nature Agency - Vendsyssel Postal address Haraldsgade 53 DK – 2100 Copenhagen Ø DENMARK Phone + 45 7254 3000 Fax N/A Email vsy@nst.dk Name of contact person Hans-Erik JØRGENSEN

Duration of project:

60 months (01.10.2012 - 30.09.2017)

Total budget in euro: 2,102,002.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,051,001.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Species-Birds

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Expected results • Some 1 700 ha of new enclosures and 1 500 ha of existing enclosures containing habitats in a stable condition, and managed by grazing; • Enlargement of the areas of habitat type 4010 by 15 ha, 4030 by 35 ha and 6230*, 6410 and 7230 by more than 1 ha each; • A stable or increasing population of breeding dunlin (Baltic subspecies), with at least 25 pairs in the project site; • Enlargement of the 2010 breeding area for dunlin and / or colonisation or recolonisation of one or more sub-areas for dunlin; • Stable or increasing populations of breeding avocet

• • •

(at least 250 pairs); Arctic tern (at least 800 pairs); and little tern (at least 30 pairs); An increase in breeding success by the control of cord grass and Japanese rose, thereby securing nesting areas; Japanese rose cleared from 24 ha, all scrub removed from the SCIs and seedlings to be found only in less than 5% of the area at the end of the project; Cord grass controlled on 15 ha and only occurring in new stands, small enough to be controlled by uprooting; Exotic tree species cleared from 78 ha containing the 10 targeted habitat types, and from neighboring areas to prevent recolonisation; and An increase in the population of resting migratory birds to the following maximum numbers: dunlin 45 000 individuals; bar-tailed godwit - 4 000 individuals; and dark-bellied brent goose -1 500 individuals.

Restoration of rare wet terrestrial

L I F E 1 1 N AT / D K / 0 0 0 8 9 4 R A R E N AT U R E

habitat nature types of national priority in Southern Denmark

Project background According to a recent national assessment, the conservation status of the Annex I habitat types: raised bogs, alkaline fens, and wet heath will further change to deteriorate in Denmark in the coming years. Their overall “poor” conservation status is also reflected in the latest EU Habitats Directive Article 17 report for Denmark, which similarly records a deterioration of the country’s calcareous fens and petrifying springs. Both assessments highlight an urgent need to address the conservation of these habitats during the current (2010-2015) planning process for the preparation of management and action plans for Natura 2000 sites in Denmark.

Project objectives The ‘RARE NATURE’ project primarily targets the restoration and expansion in southern Denmark of priority wetland habitat types: raised bogs, calcareous fens, petrifying springs, alkaline fens, and Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix. These wetlands are all assessed as having an “unfavourable” conservation status in Denmark, and have been identified as a priority for nature restoration actions. Importantly, they have been evaluated as having a significant potential for recovery, in both quality and area, within the total project area of 790 ha (mainly within 11 Danish Natura 2000 sites) distributed over 18 project sub-sites. The main planned habitat restoration actions are: • One-off compensation payments for 169 private landowners on 383 ha; ex-gratia compensation for (a small amount of) land purchase; • Clearance of shrub, trees and forest-like vegetation on 169 ha; • Hydrological restoration on 227 ha; and • The establishment of grazing (e.g. fencing, watering, trap gates, shelters) on 340 ha. A second objective is to support, through restoring and creating new habitats the great-crested newt (Triturus cristatus), the agile frog (Rana dalmatina), the natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) and the frog species, R. arvalis. Special attention will also be paid to the preparation of recommendations for future management of the yellow widelip orchid (Liparis loeselii), a fen species that is severely threatened in Denmark.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Local authority Name of beneficiary Faaborg-Midtfyn Kommune Postal address Tinghøj Alle 2 DK – 5750 Ringe DENMARK Phone +45 7253 2026 Fax +45 7253 0531 Email cpalu@faaborgmidtfyn.dk Name of contact person Claus PALUDAN

Duration of project:

79 months (04.06.2012 - 31.12.2018)

Total budget in euro: 4,415,172.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,521,063.00 (57.10%)

Theme: Habitats-Bogs & Mires

Expected results The project expects to obtain a “favourable” conservation status for the targeted rare wetland habitats. Specific results will include: • The management of 47 ha of existing raised bogs and the development of an additional 33 ha; • The management of 20 ha of existing calcareous fens and the development of an additional 9 ha; • The management of 6 ha of existing petrifying springs and the development of an additional 2 ha; • The management of 94 ha of existing alkaline fens and the development of an additional 103 ha; • The management of 15 ha of existing wet heaths and the development of an additional 13 ha; • Fifteen new ponds will be created and 10 ponds restored to benefit the targeted amphibian species; and • An action plan for the yellow widelip orchid will be drawn up, with recommendations for future management in order to achieve a “favourable” conservation status.

Ex-Situ Conservation of Finnish

LIFE11 BIO/FI/000917 ESCAPE

Native Plant Species

Project background Ex-situ conservation methods offer protected conditions to help build up stocks of endangered species prior to their release into the wild to restore and bolster habitats or populations at risk. An ex-situ action plan for the conservation of threatened native plants taxa in Finland was developed by the LIFE ‘VACCIA’ (LIFE07 ENV/FIN/000141) project. This includes 11 targets to help ensure that 40% of the country’s threatened species are protected via ex-situ conservation methods by the year 2016. A national seed bank is required to help achieve the target.

Project objectives The ‘ESCAPE’ project aims to create a national (Finnish) gene bank for threatened native plants. The gene bank will include vascular plants and bryophytes. Specimens in the gene bank will help preserve biodiversity and be used to improve the ex-situ conservation status of Finnish native plant species. This will be done by increasing the number of threatened plant species in ex-situ collections and developing new ex-situ conservation methodologies that make use of micro-propagation and subsequent cryopreservation of plants. Using three carefully selected species, the project will test the possibility for transferring ex-situ conserved plant material to new sites and reintroducing plant species to sites from which they have disappeared. Expected results • Implementation of the ex-situ conservation strategy and action plan (40% target) for Finnish threatened native plants developed by the LIFE ‘VACCIA’ project. By the end of the project the number of endangered vascular plant taxa in ex-situ conservation will have increased to 118 (60%); • Achievement of part of the GSPC ex-situ conservation targets in Finland. The work will be continued after the project by the beneficiary and the level of 75% (GSPC target) will be achieved by the end of 2020; • Production of a priority list of native plant taxa (min. of 100 taxa) to identify the species that will be incorporated in different forms of ex-situ conservation; • Establishment of a national gene bank for threatened native plants, including a seed bank with 80 species and cryogenic storage functional with 30 species by the end of the project;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary University Name of beneficiary University of Helsinki Postal address Yliopistonkatu 4 FIN – 00014 Helsinki FINLAND Phone +358 9 1912 4440 Fax +358 9 1912 4456 Email marko.hyvarinen@helsinki.fi Name of contact person Marko HYVÄRINEN

Duration of project:

60 months (01.09.2012- 31.08.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,976,269.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 988,069.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Species-Plants

• 25 new plant species added to ex-situ outdoor collections in botanic gardens by the end of the project; • Nine new populations of three threatened native plant taxa created at native sites by assisted migration; • Nine new populations of three threatened native plant taxa reintroduced to sites where they have disappeared; • Ex-situ conservation schemes developed for one or two threatened bryophyte species, which will subsequently form the basis for instructions for further development of bryophyte ex-situ methods; • Publication of an instruction booklet based on the results achieved in implementation of different ex-situ plant conservation methods; and • Dissemination of results and material about ex-situ conservation aimed at professional and lay audiences (including schoolchildren).

Biodiversity restoration and con-

L I F E 1 1 N AT / F R / 0 0 0 7 3 4 L I F E F R E N C H N AT U R 2 M I L

servation of remarkable military lands in southeast France

Project background France’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) manages 250 000 ha of public land, of which 42 000 ha host habitats and species that are classified in the EU Habitats Directive and Birds Directive.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Park-Reserve authority Name of beneficiary Conservatoire Rhône-Alpes des Espaces Naturels

A lack of nature-based management approaches to dry grasslands owned by the MoD threatens these habitats, which are becoming overgrown with shrubs. In addition, habitat features on MoD land such as pond edges, bat shelters and breeding or hunting grounds for birds are also considered to be under threat from unmanaged ­disturbance and habitat loss. These nature conservation challenges are compounded by a lack of knowledge amongst military personnel about the management requirements for species and habitats of European interest. The introduction of specific military guidelines regarding nature conservation could help address such challenges.

Postal address La Maison Forte 2, rue des Vallières F – 69390 Vourles FRANCE Phone +33 474 34 98 60 Fax +33 472 32 84 59 Email nicolas.greff@espaces-naturels.fr Name of contact person Nicolas GREFF

Duration of project:

48 months (01.10.2012 - 30.09.2016)

Four Natura 2000 network sites in south-east France have been identified as suffering from major conservation issues and threats associated with military activities (firing, manoeuvres, training camps, etc.) of the French army and navy. The armed forces could become more proactively involved in nature conservation if they had the appropriate assistance and know-how.

Total budget in euro: 2,128,061.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,060,532.00 (49.84%)

Theme: Park-Reserve authority

Project objectives The project aims to carry out restoration and protection measures for various habitats supporting bat, gull and raptor species within four Natura 2000 network sites. The sites in south east France are “Chambaran” and “Mont Caume” (SCIs) and “Garrigues” and “Aspretto” (SPAs).

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A key aspect of this habitat and species conservation work will involve integrating Natura 2000 conservation issues into the management and use of military land. This will be achieved by building the capacity of the armed forces to carry out nature conservation activity in the long term. The project also aims to promote replication of its methodology and results elsewhere as best practice approaches for nature conservation in military areas.

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Expected results The project will: • Support the conservation status of Bonelli eagle and Egyptian vulture populations by increasing the availability of prey provided by five passerine bird populations.

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Work to increase the availability of prey birds will involve restoration or re-creation of the prey-birds’ breeding and foraging habitats on 120 ha of priority dry grassland; Support the conservation status of seven bat species of EU interest. Roosting and foraging habitats will be improved as an outcome of this work; Support the conservation status of the Audouin gull. Work will increase the gull’s population size by 30% to 40% compared to the 2010 and 2011 observed population size; Restore 5 ha of summit pseudo-steppe and improve two temporary vegetation habitats for pond shorelines along 1 km of shoreline distributed over eight ponds; Introduce new legal tools: environmental clauses will be included in administrative sale acts for vacant MoD properties (70 sales are envisaged in south-east France); Facilitate more partnership approaches for managing nature conservation considerations on military land; and Provide a demonstration model for promoting the replication of best practice approaches for nature conservation in military areas.

Re-wetting valuable raised bogs in the northern Hannover Region

L I F E 1 1 N AT / D E / 0 0 0 3 4 4 Hannoversche Moorgeest

Project background Some 95% of all bogs in the Atlantic area are located in Lower Saxony, Germany. Significant areas of raised bog habitats are found in the region’s network of Natura 2000 sites, including the Helstorfer, Otternhagener and Schwarzes Moor bogs, as well as in the Bissendorfer Moor bog. Despite their current poor (but still reversible) status, mainly caused by drainage, these sites rank at the top of the list of near-natural raised bogs in the county. In particular, the original surface of the Bissendorfer Moor bog is still preserved in some areas and is therefore considered the most near-natural raised bog in Lower Saxony.

Project objectives The project’s overall objective is to preserve, improve and/ or bring to “favourable“ conservation status, the habitats and species of the Lower Saxony Natura 2000 raised bog sites of Helstorfer, Otternhagener, Schwarzes and Bissendorfer Moor. The total size of the project area is 2 243 ha. More than 330 endangered animal and plant species found within the project area will also benefit from the planned actions. Specific objectives include: • Improving the hydrological balance in the bogs, in order to promote active, treeless raised bogs and ­ transition mires and Sphagnum-rich bog woodlands; • Initial restoration and large-scale development of ­areas of bog and bog woodland in rewetted core areas and their surroundings; • Conservation and development of typical vegetation through repression of non-native and invasive plant species, especially Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), cultivated blueberries and spruce; and • Development of a buffer zone of species-rich grasslands at the periphery of the project area, which will also serve as a habitat and part habitat for endangered animal and plant species. As a result of the rewetting, the release of carbon dioxide through peat mineralisation will be reduced by more than 2 700 tonnes CO2 equivalent/yr. Expected results • Purchase 1 403 ha of privately-owned land and secure agreements for changes in land use on another 4.5 ha; • Achieve a rise in the water levels in the peat body on some 1 500 ha of land;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Land Niedersachsen Postal address Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Umwelt und Klimaschutz, Oberste Naturschutzbehörde Archivstrasse 2 D - 30169 Hannover GERMANY Phone +49 511 120 3541 Fax +49 511 12099 3541 Email jutta.schiecke@mu.niedersachsen.de Name of contact person Jutta SCHIECKE

Duration of project:

132 months (01.09.2012 - 31.08.2023)

Total budget in euro: 11,393,197.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 8.544.897.00 (75.00 %)

Theme: Habitats-Bogs & Mires

• Increase the area of raised bogs and transition mires naturally free of forests by some 417 ha and improve the conservation status of 73 ha of existing habitat; • Increase the size of bog woodland areas by some 169 ha and improve the conservation status of 1 104 ha of existing bog woodlands; • Create a bog habitat “wilderness area“ (no, or minimal human intervention) covering 1 775 ha; • Remove or repress trees, shrubs and cultivated blueberries from some 100 ha, including removal of invasive alien trees, shrubs and herbs from the bog and bog periphery; • Stabilise populations of endangered animal and plant species; e.g. large white-faced darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis); • Transform 11 ha of arable land into extensively farmed grassland and extend the grassland on 65 ha after land purchase; and • Optimise grassland maintenance in an area of some 83 ha of publicly-owned land.

Vineyards and orchards on

L I F E 1 1 N AT / D E / 0 0 0 3 4 5 MainMuschelkalk

Muschelkalk limestone

Project background The project area of 4 640 ha consists of complexes of dry habitats of high nature value within the lower Franconian Muschelkalk limestone range along the Middle Main valley and the Fränkische Saale and Wern valleys. These have developed on the hill slopes as a result of the cultivation of grapes for winemaking on the steeper slopes, traditional orchards, traditional grazing practices and hay-cutting. During recent decades, however, the abandonment of traditional land-use practices on the steep slopes has led to a loss of the arid grassland sites and subsequent loss of the valuable habitat types and associated species, especially birds; mainly as a result of natural succession. Farmland consolidation and intensification of farming methods endanger many of the typical vineyard structures; and seminatural dry grassland habitats and the high value areas between the intensively used vineyards have become isolated and disconnected from one another.

Project objectives The project’s overall objectives are to protect and improve the outstanding dry grasslands and cultural landscapes in the region; to improve habitat connectivity between the open grassland habitats and the adjacent lightly wooded, thermopile forests; and to thereby also help conserve biodiversity. Another goal is to create a more coherent network of Natura 2000 sites in the region, by carrying out actions in-between, as well as outside, the borders of the project area to help to combat the increasing isolation of the targeted habitat types. These goals will be accompanied by intensive public relations activities. Specific project aims are: • To restore 50 ha of dry grassland habitats, 20 ha of orchards with hay meadows, 6 ha of screes and rocks habitats, 25 ha of “light” forests habitats and 3 km of forest edges habitats; and • To develop two demonstration vineyards and increase the connectivity between grazed areas. These actions will also benefit five Annex II species of the Habitats Directive and four Annex I species of the Birds Directive. Expected results • The purchase of some 60 ha of land for habitat conservation/development; • The development of two demonstration vineyards with characteristic traditional structures; • The improvement of more than 50 ha of dry grassland habitat types;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und ­Gesundheit Postal address Rosenkavalierplatz 2 D - 81925 München GERMANY Phone +49 89 9214 3207 Fax +49 89 9214 3497 Email harald.lippert@stmug.bayern.de Name of contact person Harald LIPPERT

Duration of project:

63 months (01.08.2012 - 31.10.2017)

Total budget in euro: 2,565,200.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,282,600.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands • Removal of non-native trees and shrubs from 26 ha; • The creation of an ecological network of pastures on 36 ha, with planting of native plant species; • The improvement of 25 ha of low wooded areas and 3 km of woodland edges, by the partial removal of invasive trees and shrubs; • Creation of a network of ecologically important habitats on dry and nutrient-poor locations linking sites over an area of 100 km along the Muschelkalk limestone range; • A secured and improved conservation status of target dry habitat types and low wooded areas; • An improved conservation status of target species and an improved supply of breeding areas and optimised foraging areas for the eagle owl (Bubo bubo); • Improved knowledge and acceptance of the Natura 2000 network and typical traditional land-use forms (vineyards on steep slopes, orchards and sheep grazing) amongst landowners, local people and visitors (at least 50 000 visitors/yr will attend information events and use the infrastructure in the project area); and • A marketing initiative for conservation-friendly products (e.g, grape and sheep products).

Greater horseshoe bat in ­Upper

L I F E 1 1 N AT / D E / 0 0 0 3 4 6 G r o ß e H u fe i s e n n a s e B a y e r n

­Palatinate: Optimisation of ­habitats and public perception

Project background The Upper Palatinate, in the east of Bavaria, hosts Germany’s sole known population of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). This very rare bat species is threatened with extinction throughout Central Europe, with populations continuing to decline. Other populations of so called ‘maternity roosts’ (i.e., where the females produce young communally) of the greater horseshoe bat are known to exist in Belgium (three roosts), Luxemburg (one), France (a few), Liechtenstein (one), Switzerland (three) and Austria (two). The number of individuals in the Upper Palatinate is increasing – with some 100-150 bats in total and 69 adult females in the maternity roost in 2011. However, this is still a long way from the desired number of 500 individuals, which is considered the minimum for a stable population. The sole maternity roost in Bavaria is located in an old house in the municipality of Hohenburg. The house has been renovated in a bat-friendly way over the last years, but the surrounding area also needs to be improved.

Project objectives The project’s main objectives include: • Strengthening the current population of the greater horseshoe bat; • Improving the foraging habitats of the targeted species – including enhancing the structures and corridors between the habitats and improving the accessibility of these areas; • Monitoring the efficiency of the measures – including controlling bat roosts and food sources; • Carrying out genetic tests in order to determine the level of inbreeding, i.e., to assess the degree of relationship, vitality checks, and comparisons with other populations in Luxemburg and in the Alps in order to evaluate the exchange between the populations; and • The purchase and leasing of land in order to create grazing complexes. Specific measures in the field will include: • Starting a grazing scheme for cattle in the valley and along the slopes (one stable, three shelters and the purchase of approximately 30 cattle); • Establishing grazing infrastructure (e.g., fencing, a drinking trough, cattle trailer for transport) on some 50-60 ha of grazing land; • Removing bushes and saplings in formerly grazed areas, and also improving grazing by sheep;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Landesbund für Vogelschutz in Bayern e.V. (LBV) Postal address Eisvogelweg 1 D - 91161 Hilpoltstein GERMANY Phone +49 9174 / 4775-30 Fax +49 9174 / 4775-75 Email a-v-lindeiner@lbv.de Name of contact person Dr. Andreas VON LINDEINER

Duration of project:

58 months (04.06.2012 - 31.03.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,049,138.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 524,569.00 (50.00 %)

Theme: Species-Mammals

• • • •

Clearing scrub and thinning in dense forests; Planting fruit trees; Creating flight corridors to link foraging habitats; and Installing two bat towers that will serve as bat roosts and also provide information for visitors.

A number of public relations activities will also be carried out to improve public knowledge and perception about the project and the species. Expected results The project expects to achieve the following quantified results: • A colony of some 100 greater horseshoe bats in the maternity roost; • Six or seven grazing complexes of 8-10 ha, each stocked with the local cattle breed, “Rotes Höhenvieh”; • A network of 14.7 ha of dense forest; and • A further 22.2 ha of land cleared and used for grazing by sheep.

Grassland for meadowbirds

L I F E 1 1 N AT / D E / 0 0 0 3 4 7 G r a s s l a n d fo r m e a d ow b i r d s

Project background The ‘Lower Rhine Area’ Natura 2000 site in North RhineWestphalia, is a special protection area (SPA) according to the EU Birds Directive, holding populations of rare and endangered European breeding and wintering bird species that need protecting. Primarily, the conservation measures are concentrated in the “Düffel, Kellener ­Altrhein und Flussmarschen” nature reserve in the northwestern part of the SPA.

Project objectives The project’s overall objectives are twofold: to increase both the number of breeding and wintering birds, and the area used by meadow bird species, such as the black-tailed godwit, redshank, Eurasian curlew, golden plover, ruff, lapwing, white stork and meadow pipit; and to improve acceptance and knowledge of the Natura 2000 network in the mainly agricultural parts of the project area. To date, the relationship between farming and nature protection activities has been difficult. An increasing acceptance of Natura 2000 requires continuous and wide-ranging communication. Therefore, public relations activities will target local people, and especially farmers. Specific actions will focus on the development of core areas for the protection of meadow bird species within the SPA; and existing key areas of nature protection will be improved and optimised for the target bird species. These areas contribute to the conservation of the target species in the Natura 2000 site because of their ecological management, soil wetness and specific landscape structure (e.g. pools and depressions) and management instruments (adjustable weirs). It is also expected that conditions for many wetland breeding and migrating bird species will improve with the planned optimisation measures. In the longer term it is hoped that re-wetting measures will counteract the impact of drainage of the land, and in particular the development of increased watering (in dry periods) of the grasslands should also play an important role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and further drying up of the landscape in future years. Expected results • The purchase of 190 ha of grasslands to safeguard endangered breeding birds in the long term and to encourage sustainable management of the grassland areas; • The purchase of 25 ha of cropland and its transformation into less intensively-managed grasslands to safeguard endangered breeding birds;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary NABU-Naturschutzstation Niederrhein e.V. Postal address Bahnhofstraße 15 D – 47559 Kranenburg GERMANY Phone +49 2826 91876-00 Fax +49 2826 91876-29 Email info@nabu-naturschutzstation.de Name of contact person Dr. Andreas BARKOW

Duration of project:

103 months (01.09.2012 – 31.03.2021)

Total budget in euro: 12,328,702.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 6,164,351.00 (50.00 %)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands / Species-Birds

• Some 20 ha of state-owned land will be transferred into the core project areas to be managed in an extensive manner more suitable to the targeted meadow bird protections; • Securing of new tenancy agreements for some 235 ha of grasslands for their long-term ecological management by local farmers; • Actions for surface water retention along a minimum stretch of 5 km of existing drainage ditches and grassland watering actions in drought years; • The creation of at least 25 temporary water holding depressions and 15 pools and improvement of existing pools; • Increased acceptance of Natura 2000 via a direct approach PR campaign, targeting land users and locals; • An economic analysis of the agricultural structure of the area, with accompanying studies of different water and grassland management methods in relation to the number of breeding birds and their spatial distribution, nest sites and hatching success of selected target species; and • Exchange of experiences and networking via the project symposiums and other events.

Species conservation project

L I F E 1 1 N AT / D E / 0 0 0 3 4 8 Schutz der Knoblauchkröte

­Common Spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus) in parts of the Münsterland (North Rhine-Westphalia) Project background The European common spadefoot toad (Pelobates ­fuscus) is listed in Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive (i.e., in need of strict protection) and is also listed in the IUCN Red List of ‘threatened species’ for Germany. In North Rhine-Westphalia, which represents the extreme western limit of its range, it is already close to extinction. Moreover, according to the Article 17 Habitats Directive Report (2007), in the Atlantic bio-geographical region in Germany, it is assessed as having a “poor” conservation status. In the past, some 12 occurrences of the spadefoot toad have been identified in the county of Warendorf. All these occurrences were in the “Ostmünsterland” area, including around the historical floodplain of the River Ems. However, a recent study found evidence of only two of the previous 12 occurrences. Therefore, urgent action is required in order to avoid the complete extinction of the species.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary NABU-Naturschutzstation Münsterland e.V. Postal address Westfalenstraße 490 D - 48165 Münster GERMANY Phone +49 2501 - 9719433 Fax +49 2501 - 9719438 Email info@nabu-station.de Name of contact person Christian GÖCKING

Duration of project:

51 months (01.10.2012 - 31.12.2016)

The reason for the decline of the species is not entirely known but is thought to be driven by changes in, and the intensification of land-use.

Total budget in euro:

Project objectives

277,917.00 (50.00 %)

The project’s overall aim is to preserve and improve the remaining spadefoot toad population in Münsterland, North Rhine-Westphalia. Specific objectives include: • To carry out measures to optimise the spawning waters and terrestrial habitats of the spadefood toad; • To improve the currently known habitats of the targeted species; • To secure the remaining genetic diversity of the species by conservation breeding; • To carry out resettlement – to ensure the permanent and independent viability of the species; • To carry out analysis of the current genetic pool, in order to clarify issues of population management; and • To monitor the above-mentioned actions. Expected results • A strengthening of the remaining population of the spadefoot toad in Münsterland. Other Habitats Directive-listed species, such as crested newt (Triturus cristatus) (Annex II and IV), tree frog (Hyla arborea) and pool frog (Rana lessonae) (both Annex IV), edible frog (R. kl. esculenta), marsh frog (R. ridibunda) and common frog (R. temporaria) (all Annex V), will also benefit from the project actions;

555,834.00

EC contribution in euro with %: Theme: Species-Amphibians

• The creation of stepping stones for the habitat network of spadefoot toads through the establishment of fish-free, small water bodies, and the optimisation of their environments; • An increase in the number of individuals in the remaining population as a result of conservation breeding, which will avert the extinction of the spadefoot toad in Münsterland; • An increase in regional and national awareness of the importance of the protection of spadefoot toad; and • An increase in the number of farmers participating in the funding contract of the Nature Preservation Agreement.

Stabilisation of the core p ­ opulation

L I F E 1 1 N AT / D E / 0 0 0 3 5 3 LIFE LIMOSA

of the Black-tailed Godwit and ­protection of Dunlin and Ruff

Project background In Germany, many grassland birds are included in the national Red List of threatened species. The black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) is a wading bird that has suffered a serious decline in Schleswig-Holstein over the last two decades. Other grassland species, the dunlin (Calidris alpina) and the ruff (Philomachus pugnax), whose breeding populations in Germany are probably on the brink of extinction, are also targeted. In SchleswigHolstein, these species occur almost entirely in coastal areas in the counties of Nordfriesland and Dithmarschen along the North Sea. Because of their similar habitat requirements, management efforts for all three species will be combined in one project. The reasons for the decline of grassland birds are not fully understood. But it is known that the reproduction rates of the species targeted by this project are currently not high enough to guarantee their future survival in the area. Regarding the black-tailed godwit, there is concern that many of the still stable populations are threatened because of very low quality habitat (i.e. they are considered ‘sink populations’). For this reason, the project aims to measure the reproduction success of the species and implement various conservation measures with the aim of converting the ‘sink-(breeding)’ populations into ‘source-(breeding)’ populations.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Stiftung Naturschutz Schleswig-Holstein Postal address Eschenbrook 4 D – 24113 Molfsee GERMANY Phone +49 431-210 90 90 Fax +49 431-210 90 99 Email projektentwicklung@sn-sh.de Name of contact person Hauke DREWS

Duration of project:

123 months (01.10.2012 – 31.12.2022)

Total budget in euro: 6,106,540.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 3,053,270.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Species-Birds

Project objectives The project’s primary objective is to improve the reproduction success of the black-tailed godwit at core breeding sites in Schleswig-Holstein. Conservation actions will focus on controlling the factors influencing the decline of the local populations of the species, i.e. habitat deterioration and predator pressure. A complex monitoring programme will also be carried out in parallel to the conservation efforts and adjusted throughout the project according to findings. The project actions will also benefit the remaining breeding pairs of dunlin and ruff in the region. Expected results • An increase in the reproduction rate of the black-tailed godwit from 0.4 to 0.6 offspring per breeding pair; • Development of suitable habitat structures for the ruff at four sites; • Development of suitable habitat structures for Baltic dunlin at four sites;

• An increase in the annual reproductive rate of the black-tailed godwit (minimum target: 0.6 fledged chicks/pair/year); • Hydrology will be optimised on 700 ha according to the needs of the target species; • The vegetation structure will be optimised according to the ecological needs of the target species by conversion of scrub-land and high vegetation into grassland on 375 ha, by an after-grazing mowing regime on 360 ha and by new, or improved, grazing regimes on 700 ha; • Work to change the vegetation composition to favour the target species will be started on 22 ha; • Predation control will be established at six core breeding areas; • Some 29 km of existing fences will be improved to prevent grassland bird collisions; • Efficient monitoring of grassland birds will be carried out; and • Dissemination and information material on grassland management will be produced.

Conservation and Management

L I F E 1 1 N AT / G R / 0 0 1 0 1 1 Lesser Kestrel Thessaly

of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco ­naumanni*) at three SPA sites

Project background Three SPA sites in Greece account for more than 75% of the country’s total population of the lesser kestrel (­Falco naumanni) and 6% of the estimated EU population. In Thessaly, however, the species is threatened, mainly because of the degradation of foraging areas, which in turn reduces the amount of food and, therefore, breeding success. Its prey is also declining as a result of the intensification of agricultural practices, which reduces the abundance of insects and small mammals. The use of pesticides further reduces food availability. Reduced breeding success is also linked to a deterioration in the quality and availability of nesting habitat, and the modernisation of buildings is forcing birds to select nesting sites in villages, further away from their foraging areas. Increased mortality of adults, juveniles and chicks is also linked to a lack of awareness by the local population. Intentional nest destruction is not uncommon, and young people have been reported for shooting the low-flying kestrels.

Project objectives The overall objective of the ‘Lesser Kestrel Thessaly’ project is to achieve a 15% increase in the population of the lesser kestrel. The specific objectives are: • To establish a knowledge base of the ecological ­requirements of the local species population; • To prepare a detailed regional action plan for the lesser kestrel that sets quantifiable Favourable Reference Values and conservation objectives for the more than one hundred local colonies of the species; • To effectively implement concrete conservation ­actions to improve the quality of foraging habitat and nesting site availability; • To demonstrate biodiversity friendly agro-pastoral practices, which benefit the lesser kestrel and ­improve the quality of local products; and • To raise public awareness among local stakeholders and improve attitudes to lesser kestrel conservation. Expected results The project expects to achieve the following quantified results: • Draft a regional species action plan; • Install 600 artificial nest boxes and five blocks of nests; • Plant 10 km of hedgerows and more than 2 000 trees and shrubs;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary University Name of beneficiary University of Thessaly Research Committee Postal address Argonafton - Filellinon 1 GR – 38221 VOLOS GREECE Phone +30 24210 93274 Fax +30 24210 93274 Email asfoug@agr.uth.gr Name of contact person Dr. Athanassios SFOUGARIS

Duration of project:

48 months (01.06.2012 - 31.05.2016)

Total budget in euro: 1,953,410.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,465,057.00 (75.00 %)

Theme: Species-Birds

• Introduce conservation-friendly farming practices on 300 ha of arable land; • Introduce low-intensity grazing on 300 ha; • Place 500 ha of wet meadows under a biodiversity management regime; • Introduce a ‘lesser kestrel friendly’ certification label for local products; • Production of an environmental education kit (150 copies), three project leaflets (10 000 copies), and a project documentary (1 000 copies); and • Publication of a 50-page ‘Good Practices Guide’ (1 000 copies).

Conservation of priority forests

L I F E 1 1 N AT / G R / 0 0 1 0 1 4 FOROPENFORESTS

and forest openings in “Ethnikos Drymos Oitis” and “Oros Kallidromo” of Sterea Ellada Project background The project area comprises two mountainous Natura 2000 sites in central Greece: the National Forest Park of Oiti, “Ethnikos Drymos Oitis” and “Oros Kallidromo”. The main threats to the target habitats and species include: reduced grazing and the abandonment of traditional farm practices; the intensification of forest management and deforestation, which cause habitat deterioration and a resultant lack of nesting sites and prey availability for Tengmalm’s owl and three woodpecker species; modifications of the hydrological cycle of temporary ponds; damage caused by off-road vehicles; illegal waste disposal, causing soil and water pollution; wild fire incidents, which are very destructive for mountain conifer species that do not possess a post fire regeneration mechanism; illegal hunting and poaching, including the mass releases of captive-bred Chuckar partridge (Alecrotis chucker), which dilutes the genetic purity of certain rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) populations and also affects the populations of other bird species (e.g. Alectoris graeca); human-induced mortality of the brown bear; and climate change, which threatens the high altitude habitats targeted by the project.

Project objectives The main aim of the project is to implement a conservation management system for the forests and forest openings in the two Natura 2000 sites. Specific objectives include: • Maintenance of forest openings in order to conserve the mountain grasslands and temporary ponds; • Restoration of the hydrogeology and of the biotic communities of temporary ponds, including enhancing the population of the priority plant species Veronica oetaea; • Protection of grasslands and temporary ponds habitats from degradation caused by human pressure; • Restoration and expansion of foetid juniper (Juniperus foetidissima) forests; • Protection of conifer forests from destructive wild fires; • Ex-situ conservation of target habitat and plant species; • Protection of five Annex I bird species, including enhancing their populations and expanding the area of occurrence; • Enhancement and protection of the bear population; • Active involvement of stakeholders in conservation management; and • Legal protection of the project sites. Expected results • A series of studies, specifications, monitoring protocols and manuals for the management of the target habitats and species;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN) Postal address Nikis 20 GR – 10557 Athens GREECE Phone +30 210 3224944 Fax +30 210 3225285 Email president@eepf.gr Name of contact person Dr. Nikos PETROU

Duration of project:

63 months (01.09.2012 - 30.11.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,750,840.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,309,840.00 (74.81 %)

Theme: Habitats-Forests

• New access control measures and visitor infrastructure; • Protection and restoration of mountain grasslands and improvement of their range and quality across some 400 ha on Mount Oiti and in a large area of Mount Kallidromo; • Protection and restoration of seven temporary ponds including four new locations for Veronica oetaea; • Protection and restoration of foetid juniper forests habitats; • Implementation of fire protection measures including the establishment of two fire-guardhouses and two water reservoirs; • Creation of a gene seedbank for keystone plant species; • Preservation of the habitat and food sources of five Annex I bird species, including the installation of 100 nests; • Preservation of the bear population, including planting of 500-1000 wild fruit trees, distributing 10 Hellenic livestock guard dogs, and installing 20 electric fences; • Two legal documents on the protection and management of Natura 2000 sites on Mount Oiti and Mount Kallidromo.

Large scale grazing management

L I F E 1 1 N AT / H U / 0 0 0 9 2 4 Steppe lake grazing

of steppe lakes in the Hortobágy

Project background Salt-affected soils started to form in the Hortobágy area of Hungary in the Pleistocene era, as mineral-rich sediments were deposited by two rivers. Later, the area was cut off by the river Tisza and prolonged dry periods became normal. Since that time, large ungulates have been continuously present in the area, and thus, a grassdominated landscape with Pannonic salt steppes and marshes has developed. Some pans were transformed to fishponds during World War I, and the system of remaining steppe lakes was disrupted by human activities. The project area attracts many thousands of migrating and nesting birds. The rehabilitation of the natural water cycle carried out by previous LIFE projects is expected to signal the return of the original typical flora and the related fauna. Large-scale grazing will further benefit restoration work.

Project objectives The primary objective of the ‘Steppe lake grazing’ project is to eliminate unfavourable and detrimental processes affecting the habitats in a 3 616 ha area, namely: draining of rain water; diversion and blocking the direction of the flow of natural water bodies; a dramatic decline in the size of the steppe pans; barriers that divide and decrease the size of continuous open habitats and related predation pressure; loss of biodiversity; a decline in the numbers of grazing domesticated animals, and the lack of grazing with a conservation purpose. The objective is to achieve an improved conservation status of the project site by reintroduction of the traditional grazing system with the required stocking densities. Awarenessraising campaigns will also play a vital role in the project. The ultimate goal is to set up a workable model for the restoration of steppe lakes in the Carpathian Basin. The project directly targets the priority habitat, ‘Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes’, listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. It also indirectly targets several priority Annex II-listed species - e.g. the European otter (Lutra lutra) and fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) and a number of birds listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive, namely migrating birds (e.g. Botaurus stellaris, Egretta garzetta, E. alba, Platalea leucorodia, Anser erythropus, Aythya nyroca, Grus grus, Himantopus himantopus).

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Hortobágy Nature and Gene Conserving Non-profit Ltd. Postal address Czinege J. u. 1 HU – 4071 Hortobágy HUNGARY Phone +36 30 571 6688 Fax N/A Email juhaszt@hortobagy.eu Name of contact person Tibor JUHASZ

Duration of project:

72 months (01.07.2012 - 01.07.2018)

Total budget in euro: 10,093,553.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 7,524,484.00 (74.55%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

Expected results Open water surfaces are expected to increase at least 10 fold and, consequently the population of the bird species should grow by around 20%.

Conservation of Falco vespertinus

L I F E 1 1 N AT / H U / 0 0 0 9 2 6 REDFOOT

in the Carpathian Basin

Project background The Annex I Birds Directive-listed red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus) has a recorded population of 2 372 to 2 861 pairs in the EU. Some 1 000-1 100 pairs are found in Hungary, and a further two pairs in Slovakia. Unsuitable management practices, including the improper application of chemicals on feeding habitats, together with a drastic decrease of nesting habitats and opportunities, represent the most significant threat to the species in Slovakia. Improper management practices have adversely affected rook colonies and other prey species, putting the red-footed falcon on the verge of extinction in Slovakia. The country has yet to draw up a national Action Plan and no systematic conservation measures are being taken.

Project objectives The main objectives of the LIFE ‘REDFOOT’ project are to: • Establish the long-term sustainable conservation of the red-footed falcon nesting sites and feeding habitats through implementing, testing and demonstrating new or unfamiliar management practices; • Prevent the extinction of the species in Slovakia by improving nesting and feeding opportunities and reducing the impact of negative factors ; • Create suitable conditions in Slovakia for the species to spread from Hungary and enable the connection of populations; • Strengthen the European core population in the Carpathian basin and ensure its conservation by implementation of suitable conservation measures; and • Identify endangered migratory and roosting sites, taking the first steps for their conservation through networking. Expected results • A total of 330 artificial nesting sites for the red-footed falcon will be created in Slovakia by 2017, and 100 artificial nests in one Natura 2000 site in Hungary by 2014. The number of natural nests in endangered project sites in Slovakia will be stabilised; • The number and/or quality of natural nests for rooks will increase in project sites in Hungary and Slovakia; • A 2 000 ha area will be managed to provide favourable feeding sites for the red-footed falcon in Slovakia. Some 25 ha of land will be purchased; • Demonstrative management of 360 ha of land and 170 ha of feeding sites by the project members in Hungary;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary MME BirdLife Hungary Postal address Költő u. 21 HU – 1121 Budapest HUNGARY Phone +36 30 525-40-71 Fax +36 1275 6267 Email palatitz.peter@mme.hu Name of contact person Péter PALATITZ

Duration of project:

67 months (01.09.2012 - 31.03.2018)

Total budget in euro: 3,478,289.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,601,760.00 (74.80%)

Theme: Species-Birds

• Beech martin (M. foina) predation will be reduced by 95% in treated nest sites in Hungary; • Some 900 stakeholders will participate in 13 demonstration events in Hungary; at least 20 meetings with stakeholders (hunters and farmers) will be held in Slovakia, and 50 farmers and other stakeholders from Slovakia will take part in a ‘transfer of knowledge’ excursion in Hungary. At least 50% of the participating landowners and land users will sign a commitment on the use of management tools for the species; • A cooperation agreement will be signed by at least three hunting associations, three representatives of the municipal office and five land users in Slovakia; and • 65 birds will be tagged and tracked, enabling European migration routes and main threats to be identified; An assessment of threatening factors will be carried out in selected hotspots, through networking, and preventative action will be taken.

Biodiversity Improvement Of

LIFE11 BIO/IT/000020 BIOAQUAE

Aquatic Alpine Ecosystems

Project background The project targets two main problems: the impact of invasive alien species on natural ecosystems and their endemic species within the project area; and the impact of organic pollutants discharged into alpine rivers and lakes. In alpine lakes, which originally lacked fish species, the endemic fauna (including zooplankton, arthropods, Rana temporaria, etc.) is threatened by the invasive species, North American brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), leading to ecosystem degeneration and local extinction of protected, vulnerable species. In some rivers (e.g. Campiglia and Forzo), the native trout (Salmo marmoratus) hybridises with Salmo trutta subsp. fario. Tourism and livestock farming also give rise to the contamination of water with organic pollutants, which also contributes to local environmental degradation.

Project objectives The project’s overall aim is to improve the biodiversity of high altitude aquatic ecosystems in the rivers, streams and lakes of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Specific objectives include: • The eradication of brook trout from three small and one large high altitude lake; • Improvement of the conservation of the Habitats Directive Annex II-listed marble trout (Salmo marmoratus), restocking three streams with pure individuals and removing sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta); and • The establishment of plant-based filtration systems in order to reduce organic pollution in two lakes. The pollution is caused by wastewater coming from high altitude herding activities and tourism in mountain huts. This project will therefore contribute to the objectives of the Communication on “Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 and beyond” COM(2006)216 – addressing some of the priorities listed in the Biodiversity Action Plan (invasive alien species eradication and improving water quality). Expected results • The complete eradication of alien brook trout from three small high-altitude alpine lakes; • The eradication of brook trout from one large highaltitude alpine lake; • The improvement of the three autochthonous marble trout populations present in the SCI;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Park-Reserve authority Name of beneficiary Ente Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso Postal address Via della Rocca, 47 IT – 10123 Torino ITALY Phone +39 011 8606211 Fax +39 011 8121305 Email bruno.bassano@pngp.it Name of contact person Bruno BASSANO

Duration of project:

60 months (01.09.2012 - 31.08.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,353,540.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 676,770.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Biodiversity issues-Invasive species

• Improvement of the aquatic biodiversity in the habitats in and around the Nivolet lake; and • Improvement of the aquatic biodiversity in the habitats in the Pian delle Muande area.

Development of the strategy to

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 0 4 4 GESTIRE

manage the Natura 2000 network in the Lombardia Region

Project background Lombardy is a region rich in biodiversity, containing 241 Natura 2000 sites, covering 15% of its total area. It is also the most populous region in Italy, containing one-sixth of the country’s population (some 10 million people) and producing one-fifth of its GDP. Reconciling agricultural and industrial production needs with biodiversity and conservation represents a major challenge for the region. The economic crisis presents a further challenge: public funds are getting scarcer and to ensure the long-term management and restoration of the regions Natura 2000 network, a long-term, integrated approach is required.

Project objectives The project’s overall objective is to develop a regional management programme and a ‘prioritised action framework’ for the 241 Natura 2000 sites in Lombardy.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Regione Lombardia Postal address Via Fabio Filzi, 22 IT – 20124 Milano ITALY Phone +39 2 67655222 Fax +39 2 67655414 Email antonio_tagliaferri@regione.lombardia.it Name of contact person Antonio TAGLIAFERRI

Duration of project:

36 months (01.10.2012 - 30.09.2015)

Specific objectives include: • To make a significant contribution to achieving the goals set by the EU Biodiversity strategy of “…halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restoring them in so far as feasible..”; • To provide a realistic overview of the value of the Natura 2000 network in the region – not only in terms of nature conservation and ecosystem services, but also from a socio-economic perspective; and • To draw up a long-term plan for the restoration and management of the region’s Natura 2000 sites, taking account of all possible funding opportunities at European, national and regional level, and establishing a list of priority actions to be carried out within the next decade. Expected results • A ‘programme’ (policy document) for the management of the 241 Natura 2000 sites in the Lombardy region, including: a list of the Natura 2000 sites and an assessment of their contribution to the conservation of species and habitats of Community importance; the results of an evaluation of the conservation status of protected species and habitats, including migratory birds; a general description of the value of nature conservation and ecosystem services in the territory covered by the plan; information about plans and other initiatives emanating from government or other bodies for the conservation and restoration of differ-

Total budget in euro: 3,259,700.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,626,916.00 (49.91%)

Theme: Land-use & Planning-Sensitive & protected areas management

ent types of habitats and species; and 2014-2020 strategic objectives for the conservation of habitats and species listed in the two EU nature directives; and • A ‘prioritised action framework’ for the region’s Natura 2000 network, including: an overview of the network and of the conservation status of habitats and species; the legal and administrative provisions for the protection and management of Natura 2000 sites; experience acquired in the use of EU financial instruments; a current estimate of management funding requirements; 2014-2020 strategic conservation objectives and priorities for Natura 2000; a description of key measures to achieve the objectives and the priorities; and the promotion of sustainable tourism, green employment and innovative approaches within the Natura 2000 network.

Integrated effort for the conservation

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 0 6 8 Un Falco per Amico

of the Lesser Kestrel in the SPA “Murgia Alta”

Project background Murge Appulo-Lucane (south-eastern Italy) is one of the most important breeding areas for the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) in the EU. This small bird of prey breeds from the Mediterranean across Asia. European populations of the species, which often winter in Africa, have decreased by 90% since the middle of the 20th century, and its range is also shrinking. The main causes of decline are identified as unsuitable agricultural management, human disturbance, power lines and poisoning by pesticides. Other problems include vandalism, poaching, and theft of eggs and individuals from nesting sites. In the project area, this situation has led to: the loss of breeding sites and of pre-migration roosting sites; the death of chicks and adult birds; a shortage of food resources; and increased brood mortality. These effects are compounded by the lack of a ‘national action plan’ for lesser kestrel conservation. Since 2009, however, the species has been the target of successful local conservation projects. There is now a need to widen the conservation efforts for this flagship species.

Project objectives The project’s overall aim is to strengthen the presence of the lesser kestrel in the project area. Specific objectives are to: • Increase the number of breeding sites for the lesser kestrel in the project area, through structural interventions on public and private buildings in historical centres; • Recover and treat wounded, trapped or fallen lesser kestrels; • Strengthen the protection regime of the species; • Restore habitats in order to increase available food resources; • Raise awareness (among students and other citizens) of the lesser kestrel’s importance; • Establish a scientific panel to provide guidelines for drafting a ‘national action plan’; and • Share knowledge and methodologies that can be adapted and transferred to other relevant breeding and residential areas in Europe and Africa. Expected results The following direct conservation benefits to the lesser kestrel population in the project area are expected:

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Local authority Name of beneficiary Municipality of Gravina in Puglia Postal address Via Vittorio Veneto, 12 IT- 70024 Gravina di Puglia (Ba) ITALY Phone +39 080 3259305 Fax +39 080 3259310 Email comunicazione@comune.gravina.ba.it Name of contact person Giuseppe SCHINCO

Duration of project:

54 months (01.10.2012 - 01.04.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,438,042.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,056,902.00 (73.50%)

Theme: Species-Birds

• A 40% increase in breeding; • Recovery and rescue of some 750-800 kestrel chicks and adults; • Some 600 chicks and adults to be hosted and treated in a dedicated nursery; • Fifty roosting sites to receive legal protection; • Local farmers and landowners to be informed about the importance and needs of the lesser kestrel; • Some 7 ha of land in the Alta Murgia National Park will be restored and officially recognised as a protected area; • The enhancement of lesser-kernel related educational and information activities by including some 400 local school children in visits to the nursery and bird watching activities. In addition, 5 000 brochures and leaflets will be printed and a video-documentary produced, aimed at students and other citizens; and • Drafting of a conservation policy based on best practices, as well as guidelines for drafting a national action plan for the protection of the lesser kestrel.

Best practice actions

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 0 6 9 MED-WOLF

for wolf ­conservation in ­Mediterranean-type areas

Project background Wolf populations in Spain, Portugal and Italy face the possibility of local extinction. The Iberian wolf population is c. 2 500 individuals, the largest in Western Europe (and 26% of the total EU population of wolves). The most endangered nucleus is located south of the Duero River – where the population is fragmented and probably does not exceed 200 individuals. Active conservation activities south of the river, in both Spain and Portugal, are therefore extremely important - both to avoid the local extinction of the wolf population in some areas, and to allow its expansion in others. In the Grosseto Province area, including the Maremma Natural Park, the population appears to be stable (especially on Monte Amiata). But it fluctuates over time, with its size depending on the efficiency of local management measures and the diversity of livestock husbandry methods. A likely estimate of the wolf population, also ranging outside the province territory, could be 100-200 individuals. A recent study reported on a high level of conflicts between the presence of wolves and agricultural activities in the area. Therefore, a conservation action in the project area is extremely important, as it would contribute to developing good practices for the management of conflicts in the lowland areas of expansion of wolves in central Italy.

Project objectives There are two main project objectives: to reduce conflicts between the needs of large carnivores and human activities; and to promote the stable presence of wolves in rural areas in the Western Mediterranean, by restoring cultural habits that allow coexistence between people and wolves. Expected results The main quantified expected results are: • A reduction of at least 20% in damage to livestock in the project implementation areas; • The use of damage prevention methods by at least 30% of farmers; • Increased awareness amongst livestock owners of the best livestock management techniques for reducing predation; and increased knowledge among the general public and farmers about the problems, conservation issues and buffering measures related to large carnivores;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Research institution Name of beneficiary Istituto di Ecologia Applicata Postal address Via B. Eustachio 10 IT – 00161 Roma ITALY Phone +39 064403315 Fax +39 064403315 Email valeria.salvatori@gmail.com Name of contact person Valeria SALVATORI

Duration of project:

55 months (01.09.2012 - 31.03.2017)

Total budget in euro: 3,315,272.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,486,122.00 (74.99%)

Theme: Species-Mammals

• An agreement on common methodologies and criteria, enabling efficient trans-boundary monitoring and management of wolves; • Provision of adequate training to wardens, vets and other technicians of public bodies about methodologies and techniques for monitoring wolves, and for damage assessment and prevention; • The creation of a standardised methodology for monitoring wolves in Portugal, developed by experts from Portugal and Spain; and • The establishment of an ‘international damage prevention working group’ and the publication of a regular e-bulletin, “Carnivore Damage Prevention News”.

Demonstration of a system for

LIFE11 BIO/IT/000072 LIFE STRADE

the management and reduction of ­collisions between vehicles and wildlife Project background The phenomenon of wildlife road kill is a widespread problem that endangers biodiversity in all areas with high densities of roads and cars. In Europe, this problem is growing increasingly severe, alongside an increase in road infrastructure and traffic. In Italy, some sporadic and local attempts to address this problem have been made. But such activities have been restricted to monitoring the problem and implementing traditional methods, not applicable on a wider scale. In a few cases, specific scaring devices have been used to deter animals, but they have not always produced effective results. Moreover, driving behaviour is often neglected when addressing methods for collision prevention. Finally, the legal framework is vague and unclear; and local institutions generally do not have internal standard procedures, or trained staff able to deal with the problem. This complex situation calls for better technical solutions and for integrated procedures that provide the basis for adequate management of the issue.

Project objectives The general aim of this project is to develop and disseminate, at national level, the necessary tools for the management of traffic-wildlife collisions. The species targeted are all the medium-large size wild animals (over 5 kg) present in the project areas, some of which are included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, e.g. the wolf (Canis lupus). More specifically, the project aims to: • Develop and disseminate new tools for the management of traffic-wildlife collisions in three Italian regions (Umbria, Toscana and Marche) and five provinces. A new, interactive system will both warn drivers and deter wildlife from crossing roads at critical times; • Test the system on 10 km of provincial roads that are under the jurisdiction of the project beneficiary and partners; • Develop a management and monitoring protocol for traffic-wildlife collisions that will identify the best strategy for the long-term management of the project infrastructure; and • Approve, test and officially ratify the management and monitoring protocol for traffic-wildlife collisions.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Regione Umbria Postal address Corso Vannucci 96 IT – 06100 Perugia ITALY Phone +39 075 5045030 Fax +39 075 5045567 Email cacciapesca@regione.umbria.it Name of contact person Roberto BERRETTA

Duration of project:

51 months (01.01.2013 - 31.03.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,978,917.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 970,856.00 (49.06%)

Theme: Biodiversity issues-Ecological coherence / Land-use & Planning-Transport planning - Traffic monitoring

Expected results The main quantified expected results are: • An effective technical tool for the reduction of trafficwildlife collisions; • A decrease in the number of collisions between vehicles and medium-large wild animals on 10 km of roads; • A management protocol adopted by three regional and five provincial administrations; and • Increased awareness of the collision prevention system, involving at least 70% of the Italian regional administrations and 50% of the municipalities in the project provinces.

Conservation of the main E ­ uropean

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 0 9 3 Pelagic Birds

population of Calonectris d. diomedea and other pelagic birds on Pelagic Islands Project background In Europe, Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) has an “unfavourable” conservation status; it is listed as “vulnerable” in the IUCN Red List and is also included in Annex I of the Birds Directive and the Berne Convention. The predation of eggs and nestlings by the black rat (Rattus rattus) has reduced Cory’s shearwater’s reproductive success rate to 40-50%. The estimated population is about 10 000 pairs. Another direct threat to Cory’s shearwater reproduction is the collection of eggs by tourists, most of whom are not aware of the importance of preserving such eggs. Finally, the uncontrolled growth of two of the most invasive alien plant species in the Mediterranena islands – Carpobrotus ­edulis and Nicotiana glauca – has led to the degradation of many habitats, threatening endemic plants and favouring the expansion of the black rat population. The island of Linosa is home to more than 60% of the Italian Cory’s shearwater population, over 20% of the European population and some 15% of the entire population of the nominal subspecies endemic to the Mediterranean.

Project objectives The main objectives of this project are: • To protect the breeding population of Cory’s shearwater in Linosa and the small populations of other species of Community interest that are threatened by black rat predation (Caretta caretta, Puffinus yelkouan, Calandrella brachydactyla); • To restore the natural condition of the island’s ecosystems by eliminating the most invasive alien species; • To protect habitats of Community Interest (mainly habitat 1240) threatened by Carpobrotus spp; and • To develop “green” tourism around the presence of Cory’s shearwater and other threatened species outside of the regular tourist season. Expected results The main expected results are: • Eradication of the black rat on Linosa. Its removal will allow the improvement of the conservation status of Cory’s shearwater and the Yelkouan shearwater, as well as enabling the Mediterranean storm petrel to become established; • Eradication of the most invasive alien plants of the Mediterranean islands, thus favouring the expansion of endemic plants Limonium lopadusanum Brullo and

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary University Name of beneficiary Università degli studi di Palermo Dipartimento DEMETRA Postal address Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 4, Ingr. H IT – 90128 Palermo ITALY Phone +39 09123896018 Fax N/A Email Zoolappl@unipa.it Name of contact person Bruno MASSA

Duration of project:

55 months (01.06.2012 - 31.12.2016)

Total budget in euro: 915,744.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 457,872.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Biodiversity issues-Invasive species / Species-Birds

Pancratium angustifolium Lojac, and reducing habitat degradation, and consequently, the black rat population; and • Increased awareness about the conservation value of Cory’s shearwater, which will help to stop the collection of eggs.

Control of invasive alien species

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 0 9 4 SOS Tuscan Wetlands

to restore threatened habitats in ­inland wetlands of northern Tuscany

Project background Currently, the inland wetlands of northern Tuscany are experiencing a dramatic loss in biodiversity and habitats, as a result of the impact of some invasive alien species. This situation has led, in recent years, to the extinction or rapid decline of several species of EU interest; and to the disappearance of once abundant vegetation formations, such as water lily and other formations associated with the Annex I habitat (Natural euthrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation). The latter is now confined to just a few small scattered sites.

Project objectives The project’s overall objective is to improve the conservation status of the wetland habitats and species in four Natura 2000 network sites in northern Tuscany: “Lago di Sibolla”; “Palude di Pardi”; “Bosco di Chiusi e Paduletta di Ramone”; and “Palude di Fucecchio”. All the sites are seriously threatened by the presence of invasive alien species (fauna and flora). Specific project objectives are: • Local eradication of Coypu (Myocastor coypus); • Reduction or local eradication of populations of alien crayfish (Procambarus clarkii); • Maintenance of the restored habitat, preserving original species and habitats; • Improvement of the water quality of Lago di Sibolla (Lake Sibolla) via plant purification; • Restoration of riverine habitats, preventing colonisation by the invasive shrub species, Amorpha fruticosa; • Restoration of lowland forest habitats, which are very rare in Tuscany and on the Italian peninsula, and of the bordering woods of Quercus pubescens; • Establishment of a buffer zone to protect lowland ­forests; • Restoration of humid grasslands; and • The establishment of habitats for wetland plant and animal species through the creation of small ponds in woods. Expected results The main expected results include: • Local eradication or reduction of alien animal and plant species and consequent habitat maintenance; • Improvement of the conservation status of endemic species; • Improvement of habitat and site quality by restoring lowland grassland and other habitats of EU interest;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Public enterprise Name of beneficiary Consorzio di Bonifica del Padule di Fucecchio Postal address Via Libertà, 28 IT – 51019 Ponte Buggianese (PT) ITALY Phone +39 0572 932240 Fax +39 0572 634527 Email direttore@paduledifucecchio.it Name of contact person Franco FAMBRINI

Duration of project:

57 months (31.08.2012 - 31.05.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,374,725.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 687,362.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Biodiversity issues-Invasive species

• Reintroducing, where necessary, original, endangered species of EU interest; • Improving a sewage treatment plant located close to Lake Sibolla; • Building (long-term) capacity to control invasive alien species among the staff of the beneficiary; and • Achieving increased awareness among local people, associations and other stakeholders of the ­importance of controlling and removing invasive alien ­species.

Forests of the Apennines: Good

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 1 3 5 FAG U S

practices to conjugate Use and Sustainability

Project background A large part of the project area in the Apennines is covered by beech forests (about 21%), widely represented by habitat 9210* (7% of the SCI) and habitat 9220* (2% of the SCI). In recent decades (1955-1990) major changes occurred. In particular, a general increase of forest areas was recorded, especially in the mountain areas, where agricultural lands and pastures declined. The forest habitats targeted by the project are characterised by the rare occurrence of three species: European yew (Taxus baccata), European holly (Ilex aquifolium), and silver fir (Abies alba). The main threats to the conservation of such species are non-sustainable silvicultural practices, grazing, and plant gathering.

Project objectives This project targets beech forests habitats in the Apennines, aiming to enhance their biological value and biological diversity, whilst maintaining revenue for the local population. The general objective of the project is to ensure the long-term conservation of Apennines beech forests habitats in two Italian national parks: Cilento and Vallo di Diano, and Gran Sasso Laga. Specific project objectives are: • To develop and implement a strategy of sustainable habitat management by integrating biodiversity conservation and socio-economic issues; • To enhance biodiversity in beech forest habitats; • To monitor beech forests habitats in the Apennines over the long term; and • To promote the participation of all relevant public and private stakeholders and raise their awareness about the benefits associated with the sustainable management of the forests. Expected results The main expected results include: • Establishment of a database on habitat structure and protected species; • An increase in the biodiversity of Apennine beech forests; • Improved dead wood management; • An increased number of microhabitats; • Assessment of the impact of interventions on the target habitats; and • The delivery of a programme of educational activities about the Apennine beech forests aimed at schoolchildren.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Park-Reserve authority Name of beneficiary Ente Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano Postal address Piazza Santa Caterina, 8 IT – 84078 Vallo della Lucania (SA) ITALY Phone +39 0974 7199200 Fax +39 0974 7199217 Email direttore@cilentoediano.it Name of contact person Angelo DE VITA

Duration of project:

42 months (01.09.2012 - 29.02.2016)

Total budget in euro: 1,244,038.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 851,450.00 (68.44%)

Theme: Habitats-Forests

Habitat restoration actions in

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 1 7 5 LIFE AUFIDUS

the SCI “Ofanto Valley - Lake ­Capacciotti”

Project background The “Valle Ofanto – lago di Capacciotti” Natura 2000 network (Puglia Region, south-east Italy) includes many animal and plant species, as well as wetland habitats of high environmental interest. It is located near the sea and represents an ecological corridor between the mouth of the River Ofanto and the Apennines. It therefore plays a pivotal role in the wetland ecological framework, which also includes the Natura 2000 sites: “Zone umide della Capitanata” and “Paludi press il Golfo di Manfredonia”. This is the second largest wetland area in Italy and the area that is richest in terms of biodiversity. Moreover, the project area is located near international key sites for the globally threatened species, the slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris) and the near threatened ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca).

Project objectives The main objective of the project is to restore two Annex I-listed priority habitats: ‘Coastal lagoons’ (*1150) and ‘Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp.’ (*2250), within the Natura 2000 network site “Fiume Ofanto - Lago di Capacciotti”. The core actions consist of restoring silted lagoons through the excavation of channels, the placing of embankments and the planting of native species. The project also aims to raise public awareness in order to protect and enlarge wetland areas and the priority habitats. Through ecological improvement, this project will also enlarge the habitat and population size of several protected bird species. Habitats *1150 and *1510, which are targeted by the project, represent the most frequently used sites for these species during migration and wintering (and for the ferruginous duck also during breeding). Expected results The main expected results are: • Restoration of 40 ha of 1150* - Coastal lagoon habitat; • Restoration of 1.2 km of 2250* - Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp. habitat; • Raising of public awareness about the importance of habitat and wetland conservation; and • An increase in the population of several bird species: Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Botaurus stellaris, Aythya nyroca, Falco biarmicus, Falco vespertinus and Falco naumanni.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Local authority Name of beneficiary Provincia di Barletta, Andria, Trani Postal address Piazza San Pio X, 9 IT – 76123 Andria ITALY Phone +39 0883 1976720 Fax N/A Email ing.orsino@gmail.com Name of contact person Angela LATTANZIO

Duration of project:

64 months (01.09.2012 - 31.12.2017)

Total budget in euro: 2,354,000.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,765,500.00 (75.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

T.E.N. (Trentino Ecological ­Network):

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 1 8 7 TEN

a focal point for a P ­ an-Alpine ­Ecological Network

Project background The region of Trentino contains 166 Natura 2000 network sites, 75 nature reserves and 222 local reserves. The environmental value of the area is exemplified by the presence in the province of the only autochthonous population of brown bear (Ursus arctos), in the Alps. Some 30% of Trento’s territory is within the network of protected areas and 80% of the province’s municipalities include at least one protected area. The current ‘multipurpose’ ecological network developed at provincial level, the Trentino Ecological Network (TEN), contains 12 ‘Reserve Networks’, which are recognised by the provincial law 11/07. These networks aim to decentralise biodiversity management and involve local communities. However, an integrated network management system in the province area is lacking.

Project objectives The overall objective of the ‘TEN’ project is to plan an integrated, long-term management system and restoration programme that targets the Natura 2000 network under the jurisdiction of the province of Trento. The new management programme will encourage local responsibility, participation and integration. The specific objectives under this general goal are: • To increase local management of Natura 2000 sites by municipalities and valley communities, and integrate local conservation policies into agriculture, tourism and other socioeconomic activities; • To increase local participation of authorities and stakeholders from different economic sectors; • To establish programmes that ensure an ecological connection within the Natura 2000 network; and • To promote networking among neighbouring regional authorities, thus identifying priorities at the regional level and financial instruments for achieving conservation objectives. Expected results The main expected results are: • Storage and analysis of fauna, flora and habitat data concerning the province; • Management and monitoring guidelines regarding habitats, species of European interest and the Natura 2000 network; • Preparation of intervention programmes for each type of environment included in the Natura 2000 sites, providing data useful for the definition of a re-

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Local authority Name of beneficiary Provincia Autonoma di Trento Postal address Piazza Dante n° 15 IT – 38122 Trento ITALY Phone +39 0461499610 Fax +39 0461496182 Email claudio.ferrari@provincia.tn.it Name of contact person Claudio FERRARI

Duration of project:

54 months (01.07.2012 - 31.12.2016)

Total budget in euro: 1,728,522.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 862,014.00 (49.87%)

Theme: Biodiversity issues-Ecological coherence

• • • •

gional PAF (Prioritised Action Framework), in line with article 8 of the Habitats Directive; Establishment of six Reserve Networks, according to provincial law 11/2007; Implementation of 12 demonstration projects on the conservation of indigenous species and the removal of exotic species; Implementation of two socioeconomic development projects integrating the Natura 2000 network into the tourism and agriculture sectors; and Establishment of different working groups dealing with Natura 2000 agriculture-tourism (N.A.T.2000), and the management and sustainable exploitation of SCIs/SPZs close to the boundary.

Restoring connectivity in Po River

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 1 8 8 CON.FLU.PO.

basin opening migratory route for Acipenser naccarii* and 10 fish species in Annex II Project background The project site is the fluvial corridor of the Po river and the plain area of Italy’s largest watershed (over 70 000 km2). The area is home to 11 European priority fish species and more than 40 native fish species, 15 of which are endemic or sub-endemic to the area. Fish species of European interest are found from the river mouth up to 400-500 km upstream. Threats to the species are the fragmented ecosystem (e.g. the links with Serafini Island) and the scattered management system of the area. The wide zone frequented by protected fish species falls under the jurisdiction of four regions and 15 provinces, and comprises many protected fluvial Natura 2000 network sites, and just as many management entities. As a result, the common fish conservation targets clash with the diverse range of local interests.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Regione Lombardia - DG Agricoltura Postal address Piazza Città di Lombardia 1 IT – 20124 Milano ITALY Phone +39 0267656275 Fax +39 0267652576 Email alberto_lugoboni@regione.lombardia.it Name of contact person Alberto LUGOBONI

Conservation measures are urgent owing to the high risk level: two native species of sturgeon, for example, have already become extinct in the project area.

Duration of project:

Project objectives

Total budget in euro:

The main objectives of this project are: • To conserve the Adriatic surgeon (Acipenser naccarii), an anadromous migratory fish species that is endemic to the fluvial basin bordering the upper Adriatic Sea; • To conserve all native fish species (10 of which are listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive) of the lower-middle Po river and the connected hydrographical basin; • To reduce fluvial habitat fragmentation; and • To increase networking among local authorities and improve communal and shared governance of the large area targeted by the project. The core project actions will involve the building of fish passes, the reintroduction of Acipenser sturio, and reinforcement of Rutilus pigus, Barbus plebejus, Chondrostoma soetta and C. genei, and the removal of invasive alien species. Expected results The main expected results are: • Building of infrastructure allowing fish upstream passage in the Po at Isola Serafini, some 300 km from the river delta; • Establishment of a coordination committee that includes representatives from all of the regional and inter-regional administrations;

55 months (01.12.2012 - 30.06.2017)

7,088,476.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 3,496,809.00 (49.33%)

Theme: Biodiversity issues-Ecological coherence / HabitatsFreshwater / Species-Fish

• An increase in the population of the Adriatic sturgeon and other fish species via the reintroduction of more than 200 000 individuals; • Creation of a shelter for educational activities at Isola Serafini; and • Building of a footpath connecting the passage points.

Conservation of Red Deer Cervus

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 2 1 0 One deer two islands

elaphus corsicanus in Sardinia and Corse

Project background The Corsican red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus ­Erxeleben, 1777) is a sub-species of the European red deer and is endemic to Sardinia and Corsica. This subspecies is found in the project target areas - sites on both i­slands. It is considered a priority for conservation in ­Annex II of the Habitats Directive. It is also included on the IUCN red list as an endangered species. The main threats to the Corsican red deer are extensive cutting and logging, hunting, forest fires, the diffusion of farming and the spread of livestock. This situation has led to habitat fragmentation and severe population decline across the territory.

Project objectives The ‘One Deer Two Islands’ project aims to improve the conservation status of the Corsican red deer in Sardinia and Corsica by reducing conflict with human activities and by promoting awareness about its ecological and economic value. A change in socio-cultural behaviour, mainly associated with hunting, is a key objective. The project hopes to benefit the target sub-species as well as the local communities. Specific project objectives will include: • Implementing actions aimed at facilitating the coexistence of human activities and conservation; • Increasing awareness among citizens and visitors of the importance of the target area, which is part of the Natura 2000 network; • Promoting cooperation and networking among institutions and authorities involved in the management of the Corsican red deer; • Ensuring the long-term conservation of the Corsican red deer and improving its conservation status. The project will establish new populations of Corsican red deer in eight Natura 2000 sites and demonstrate good practice in developing populations and mitigating threats from human activities. It will formulate an international management and conservation plan for the species, to be implemented after the end of the LIFE project. Expected results • New Corsican red deer populations in eight Natura 2000 sites; • Significant growth of existing populations, including: reduced isolation of sub-populations; increased

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Local authority Name of beneficiary Provincia del Medio Campidano Postal address Via Paganini, 22 IT – 09125 Sanluri ITALY Phone +39 070 9356400 Fax +39 070 9370383 Email cgarau@provincia.mediocampidano.it Name of contact person Carlo GARAU

Duration of project:

66 months (09.09.2012 - 09.03.2018)

Total budget in euro: 2,006,110.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,495,090.00 (74.53%)

Theme: Species-Mammals

­ enetic variability; reduced health problems; i­ ncreased g distribution; and increased population densities; • The mitigation of identified threats from human ­activities; • Identification of replicable good practice in deer ­conservation; and • An international management and conservation plan for the Corsican red deer.

Protection and species habitat con-

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 2 1 3 CARABUS

servation for the consolidation of the Carabus olympiae population in Valsessera Project background Olympia’s ground beetle (Carabus olympiae) is a beetle species at risk of extinction. It is included in the EU Habitats Directive as priority for conservation and is listed in the IUCN Red List as “vulnerable”. The beetle is only found in two neighbouring localities in Sella dell’Alta Valle Sessera, in the mountainous Piedmont region of northern Italy.

Project objectives The objectives of this project are: • To reduce the risk of extinction of Olympia’s ground beetle through habitat restoration; • To preserve Olympia’s ground beetle and nard grass (Nardus stricta) in grassland areas; • To improve the coexistence of humans with the target species; • To set up a management model, including fundraising, to preserve and restore viable habitats for Olympia’s ground beetle; and • To restore rearing areas where nard grass is particularly abundant. Expected results The main expected results are: • Mapping Olympia’s ground beetle in the study area (1 500 ha); • Completing a forest inventory, with maps of the study area (1 500 ha); • Drafting of a forest management plan for Olympia’s ground beetle conservation; • Interventions to preserve Olympia’s ground beetle, ­including recovery of a shelter and the establishment of a nursery; • Naturalisation of artificial forests constituting a ­barrier for dispersal of the beetle over 26.6 ha; and • Educational activities targeting 500 students.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary International Enterprise Name of beneficiary Ermenegildo Zegna Holditalia SpA Postal address Via Roma 99/100 IT – 13835 Trivero ITALY Phone +39 03356967811 Fax +39 0157591467 Email massimo.curtarello@zegna.com Name of contact person Massimo CURTARELLO

Duration of project:

43 months (01.06.2012 - 31.12.2015)

Total budget in euro: 1,095,071.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 552,353.00 (50.44%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands / Species-Invertebrates

Dune habitats protection in the

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 2 3 2 Leopoldia

greenhouse landscape of the Gela Gulf for the safeguarding of ­Leopoldia gussonei Project background Muscari gussonei (Parl.) Nyman (or Leopoldia gussonei Parl.) is a plant species endemic to Sicily, particularly the Camarino-Pachinense area. The population, which is confined to dune habitats, is restricted at the regional level (mainly Mocconi di Gela, Cava Randello and the Natura 2000 network site, “Vallata del fiume Ippari”). It is severely endangered and is listed as a priority for conservation in the Habitats Directive. The main threats are: extremely high agricultural pressure; the absence of control by local authorities over illegal agricultural activities (especially in greenhouses); the presence of exotic, invasive plant species (e.g. Acacia saligna and Eucalyptus spp.); coastal erosion; uncontrolled grazing; excessive tourist pressure; and a lack of understanding and awareness among the local population of biodiversity issues and the need for preserving the territory.

Project objectives The general objective of this project is to re-establish and protect the sand dune habitats (2110, 2120, 2210, 2230, 2250*) that are most suitable for the conservation and spread of the priority species Muscari gussonei. The specific objectives are: • To increase Muscari gussonei populations and generally improve the state of conservation of its habitats (2230, 5330, 2250); • To improve connectivity within the ecological network in the project area; • To improve dune and back-dune management; • To recover the morphology of the dune system; • To increase bird populations and nesting; • To establish the ecological/environmental conditions for the deposition of loggerhead turtle (Caretta ­caretta) eggs; and • To decrease human pressure on dune habitats and increase low-impact agricultural management systems. Expected results • Monitoring of the Sicilian Muscari gussonei populations and their habitats; • Reclamation of degraded dune habitats to extend the surface area of Muscari Gussonei; • Muscari gussonei germplasm collection; • Establishment of an ex-situ nursery to grow Muscari gussonei; and

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary University Name of beneficiary Università degli Studi di Catania - Facoltà di Agraria Dipartimento di Gestione dei Sistemi Agroalimentari e Ambientali Postal address Piazza Università n.2 IT – 95124 Catania ITALY Phone +39 0957147573 Fax N/A Email gitomas@unict.it Name of contact person Antonino RECCA

Duration of project:

43 months (01.10.2012 – 30.04.2016)

Total budget in euro: 1,415,752.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 707,757.00 (49.99%)

Theme: Habitats-Coastal / Species-Plants

• Increasing the awareness of the local population about sand dune habitats and associated species conservation. This will include an increase in specific educational activities.

Urgent actions for the conservation

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 2 3 4 L I F E P R AT E R I E

of meadows and pastures in the territory of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga Project background The southern slope of the Gran Sasso mountain massif, which is located in the Natura 2000 network site, Gran Sasso, is characterised by the landscapes of the high plain of Campo Imperatore and the higher alpine regions (Campo Pericoli, Corno Grande, Monte Camicia, Monte Prena, etc.). Its alpine features and broad grasslands and pastures create a unique environment in central Italy. This area hosts different habitats (grasslands, rocky habitats and mires) listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive and priority dry grasslands. The same habitats are present also in the Natura 2000 site, “Monti della Laga e Lago di Campotosto”. Uncontrolled tourism and extensive livestock raising and rearing are the main threats to the two SCI areas

Project objectives The project aims to restore the quality of several habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive – i.e. mountain grassland habitats (6210*, 6230*, 8210, 5130, 6170, 8120, 7140, 3150) – as well as benefit those habitat-related species (Vipera ursini, Triturus carnifex, Rupicapra ornata) that have been affected by tourism, excessive grazing or the abandonment of grazing. The specific objectives of the project are: • The long-term conservation of grazing areas by ­encouraging correct rearing practices; and • The proper management of tourist facilities in order to limit uncontrolled access to conservation sites. Expected results The main quantified expected results include: • At least nine municipal administrations officially adopting grazing practices to preserve habitats 6210*, 6230*, 5130, 6170 and 7140; • At least 25% of livestock breeders having improved their grazing practices, thus safeguarding habitats 6210*, 6230*, 5130, 6170, 7140 and 3150; and • A reduction in the impact of tourism along 90 kmtrails and in 5 ha of parking places, thereby reducing the degradation of habitats 6210*, 6230*, 8210, 5130, 6170, 8120 and 7140.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Park-Reserve authority Name of beneficiary Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga Postal address Via del Convento - Assergi IT – 67010 L’Aquila ITALY Phone +39 0862 6052219 Fax +39 0862 606675 Email pina.leone@gransassolagapark.it Name of contact person Marcello MARANELLA

Duration of project:

61 months (01.11.2012 - 15.12.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,680,262.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 840,131.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands

Monitoring of insects with public

L I F E 1 1 N AT / I T / 0 0 0 2 5 2 MIPP

participation

Project background Several European countries have published national guidelines for the monitoring of insect species contained in annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. Italy, however, lacks monitoring standards to estimate changes in population sizes, threat levels and conservation status. The 2nd Italian National Report on the implementation of the Habitats Directive, which covered the period 20012006, contains an evaluation sheet on the conservation status of species included in the annexes of the Habitats Directive. But without standard monitoring procedures it will be impossible to evaluate the future development of the conservation status of the known populations. There are no monitoring standards for the target insect s­ pecies (*Osmoderma eremita s.l., Lucanus cervus, Cerambyx cerdo, *Rosalia alpina, Morimus funereus), found in four reserves included in the ‘MIPP’ project.

Project objectives The main objectives of the project are: • To develop an official protocol, approved by the ­region of Lombardy, based on the methods that have been implemented to monitor populations of insects listed in annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive (*Osmoderma eremita s.l., Lucanus cervus, Cerambyx cerdo, *Rosalia alpina and Morimus funereus). Such a protocol is the only reliable standard for estimating population size, threat level and conservation status; • To implement a web-based survey system for the ­collection of data on insect species (Lucanus cervus, *Rosalia alpina, Cerambyx cerdo, *Osmoderma eremita, Lopinga achine, Parnassius apollo, Saga pedo and Zerynthia polyxena) that are included in the annexes of the Habitats Directive; and • To inform and educate the general public on different topics, such as the Natura 2000 network, the Habitats Directive, monitoring and saproxylic (dead wood) insects. Expected results • Drafting of a protocol, with a standard monitoring system for target insect populations (*Osmoderma eremita s.l., Lucanus cervus, Cerambyx cerdo, *Rosalia alpina, and Morimus funereus); • Approval and inclusion of the protocol in the Regional Directives; • Creation of a website (www.cnbfvr.life-insectmonitor. eu) for the collection of data on eight target species of insects included in the annexes of the Habitats ­Directive;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary National authority Name of beneficiary Corpo Forestale dello Stato Postal address Via Carducci, 5 IT – 00187 Roma ITALY Phone +39 045 8345445 Fax +39 045 8301569 Email fmason@tin.it Name of contact person Franco MASON

Duration of project:

60 months (01.10.2012 - 30.09.2017)

Total budget in euro: 2,734,430.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,599,906.00 (58.51%)

Theme: Species-Invertebrates

• Drafting of monitoring guidelines; and • Publication in international scientific journals of ­results of data analyses.

National Conservation and

L I F E 1 1 N A T / LV / 0 0 0 3 7 1 N AT - P R O G R A M M E

­Management Programme for ­Natura 2000 Sites in Latvia

Project background The 2007 Article 17 evaluation of the status of Latvia’s species and habitats showed that only 31% of habitats and 50% of species (other than birds) of EU importance were in a “favourable” conservation status in the country. Natura 2000 network sites provide a tool to help improve the conservation status of important species and habitats. Some 325 terrestrial Natura 2000 sites have been designated in Latvia. All of these sites require careful management based on a sound understanding of the conservation needs of habitats and species that are targeted by the Natura 2000 designations. Gaps exist in the implementation of management plans for Latvia’s Natura 2000 sites and the new programming period of EU rural development funding support offers opportunities to address these gaps.

Project objectives This LIFE Nature project aims to draft guidelines for the management of each terrestrial habitat type within Latvia’s Natura 2000 network. It will prepare a National Conservation and Management Programme that will be designed to inform and complement the forthcoming 2014-2020 Latvian Rural Development Programme. The project will target all 325 of Latvia’s terrestrial Natura 2000 sites. These include some 55 Annex I habitats. The project will ensure a coordinated and programmed approach to safeguarding the long-term conservation and management of Latvia’s Natura 2000 network sites. Stakeholder participation will feature strongly in the project activities which shall promote involvement in nature management implementation by public authorities, nature conservation experts, NGOs, municipalities, local entrepreneurs, landowners and other stakeholders. The project will target awareness-raising actions at these bodies to increase know-how about appropriate nature conservation and management measures, as well as the financial resources that are available for Natura 2000 sites in Latvia. Expected results • A National Conservation and Management ­Programme for Natura 2000 sites in Latvia will be drafted and made available online in Latvian, English and Russian. It will be distributed among state institutions, municipalities NGOs and other stakeholders, in Latvia and in other countries;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary National authority Name of beneficiary Nature Conservation Agency Postal address Baznīcas iela 7 LV – 2150 Sigulda LATVIA Phone +371 29 192799 Fax +371 67509544 Email inga.kabanova@daba.gov.lv Name of contact person Inga KABANOVA

Duration of project:

54 months (01.09.2012 - 28.02.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,609,700.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 804,850.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Land-use & Planning-Sensitive & protected areas management

• Conservation management guidelines for coastal areas, freshwater habitats, grasslands, bogs and ­ forests, rocky habitats and caves will be drafted and published online and in print format (6 000 copies) in Latvian, English and Russian. Brochures (5 400 ­copies) covering practical management requirements for each habitat group will also be produced; and • A new training programme on Natura 2000 management and associated financing options will be prepared and delivered. This capacity-building training will involve various seminars and workshops and reach 1 000 people from stakeholder groups that will include public authorities, nature conservation experts, NGOs, municipalities, local entrepreneurs, ­ landowners and other stakeholders.

Restoration of Unio crassus rivers

L I F E 1 1 N AT / L U / 0 0 0 8 5 7 Resto-unio

in the luxemburgish Ardennes

Project background The threatened, thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus), a once abundant species of slow-running freshwater habitats, has experienced a dramatic decline in its two remaining populations in Luxembourg – in the Natura 2000 sites of the rivers Our and Sûre. A crucial problem of many river systems in central Europe is their heavy load of fine sediments, which cause problems particularly for the young mussels living in river beds, and eutrophication.

Project objectives The project’s overall objective is to improve the habitat quality of the thick shelled river mussel in the rivers Our and Sûre in Luxembourg, to strengthen the two surviving populations. Specific objectives include: • Reducing the amount of fine sediments by implementing different best practice methods to inhibit erosion close to the river banks. Agro-environmental measures will reduce the nutrient concentration in the tributaries and main stream; • Introducing captive breeding methods for the species, and releasing juvenile propagated mussels at both project sites; • Improving the connectivity of the river system by removing migration obstacles, which will enhance the host fish population e.g. bullhead (Cottus gobio) and brown trout (Salmo trutta fario); • Improving the river beds at both sites by adding natural gravel into the river systems; and • Controlling the population densities of the musk rat (Ondatra zibethicus), an invasive species that is a significant predator of the mussels. Expected results • Installation of 2 km of fencing and five watering outlets, to reduce the impact of erosion by cattle at the river banks; • Installation of 60 water gutters to minimise the sediment runoff at selected sites; • Agri-environmental measures (40) to directly reduce the amount of nutriments into the catchment. Farmers will be assisted in the sustainable management of their soil; • Creation of cleaner and less clogged gravel will improve the rivers’ capacity for self-cleaning and improve the ecosystems services they provide; • Release of 200 host fish per year in each river;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Fondation Hëllef fir d’Natur Postal address 5, route de Luxembourg L – 1899 Kockelscheuer LUXEMBOURG Phone +352 29 04 04-1 Fax +352 29 05 04 Email secretariat.commun@luxnatur.lu Name of contact person Frantz-Charles MULLER

Duration of project:

66 months (01.09.2012 - 28.02.2018)

Total budget in euro: 2,057,068.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,028,534.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater / Species-Invertebrates • After the third year, to release 500-1 000 mussels into each river system. A further 100 host fish will be ‘released’ (in cages) each year, into each river system to directly strengthen the populations in the rivers; • The removal of six obstacles to migration. This will reconnect some 15 km of river at each site with the main streams. Bullheads and brown trout are expected to directly benefit from the opening of these areas, which should also indirectly benefit the mussel populations; • The addition of 100 m3/yr of suitable gravel into each river system will create new mussel habitats. In addition, spawning grounds will be created for other fish species; and • Control of the musk rat will save hundreds of individual mussels every year. The project will also monitor some 100 km of rivers. Other Annex II-listed species expected to benefit from the project’s actions include the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) bullhead, brown trout, European brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri) and the European otter (Lutra lutra).

Restoration of wetlands and

L I F E 1 1 N AT / L U / 0 0 0 8 5 8 LIFE Eisleck

­associated endangered species in the Eisleck Region

Project background The project aims to restore a mosaic of wetland habitats in the upper north region of Luxembourg, known as “Eisleck”. This region is characterised by a high plateau landscape, reaching 560 metres in altitude, and a network of small rivers and wetlands. The wetland habitat types are essential for three especially valuable EU species: The violet copper (Lycaena helle) butterfly; the whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), a migrating bird of the family of the Muscicapidae; and the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio). The habitats and the associated target species suffer from the modern development of an intensively-farmed rural landscape.

Project objectives The project’s overall objective is to restore the mosaic of wetland habitats in Eisleck so as to improve the conservation status of the three target species. This goal will be achieved through: • Land purchase; • Various habitat restoration actions, including the restoration of abandoned wetlands, drained wetlands and of conifer plantations on wetlands; and • The design and adoption of a management plan for the pastures and meadows situated in the core project areas of the 11 Natura 2000 sites in the region. Expected results The project expects to achieve overall improvement in the conservation status of the target species within the project area of 11 Natura 2000 sites. This will be achieved through the establishment of a systematic inventory of the natural habitats of the three target species, and an appropriate management plan for pasture and meadows for 135 ha of protected parcels of land. Quantified results will include: • Land acquisition (30 ha); • Restoration of abandoned wetlands (10 ha); • Restoration of drained wetlands (15 ha of restored floodplains, 1.8 km of re-naturalised rivers, 500 m of drainage removed or closed); • Restoration of conifer plantation on wetlands and spruce removal areas (5 ha removed and 15 ha ­restored); • Renewal of Polygonum bistorta-meadows and abandoned Filipendula ulmaria meadows (10 ha); • Planting of 7 000 shrubs; • Improvement of the wetland pastures through the

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Fondation Hëllef fir d´Natur Postal address 5, route de Luxembourg L – 1899 Kockelscheuer LUXEMBOURG Phone +352 26 90 81 27 Fax +352 26 90 81 27-33 Email secretariat.commun@luxnatur.lu Name of contact person Mireille MOLITOR

Duration of project:

60 months (01.09.2012 - 31.08.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,766,775.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 883,387.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater/ Species-Birds & Invertebrates

addition of fences, drinking troughs, river crossings and a winter shed for livestock; • Extensification through biodiversity measures and consultation with farmers (50 ha of biodiversity and agro-environmental contracts); • Increased collaboration between farmers and nature conservationists through consultation with 50 farms working on the project sites, at least four information sessions, five reports in the specialist press and four field trips; and • Increased public awareness about the project’s goals via various dissemination and awareness-raising activities. The actions beneficial to the three target species will undoubtedly also have positive impacts on other endangered species associated with the mosaic of habitats that will be improved, such as the bog fritillary (Boloria eunomia) and small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) butterflies and the great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor).

Conservation Status and ­potential

L I F E 1 1 N AT / M T / 0 0 1 0 7 0 P r o j e c t M I G R AT E

Sites of Community Interest for Tursiops truncatus and Caretta caretta in Malta Project background The uncontrolled expansion of maritime activities such as fishing poses a significant threat to slow-reproducing cetaceans and turtles. In the EU Habitats Directive, the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates) are listed as Annex II species of Community interest, whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation (SACs). The size of the populations of the loggerhead turtle and the bottlenose dolphin in Malta’s waters, and coastal areas that are essential to them, are as yet unknown. Nonetheless, it is considered that Malta provides a strategic position for the conservation of these flagship species, because of its central position in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and because of the presence of habitats that are important to at least some of the life stages of these animals. Malta therefore has a legal obligation to propose Natura 2000 network sites of Community importance (SCIs) for these species. In the third Natura 2000 marine biogeographic seminar, held in Brindisi, Italy, in June 2010, Malta was encouraged to carry out the necessary scientific studies that are required before it can declare proposed sites (pSCIs) for these species, as required by the Habitats Directive.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary National authority Name of beneficiary Malta Environment and Planning Authority Postal address St. Francis Ravelin MT – FRN 1230 Floriana MALTA Phone +356 2290 7301 Fax +356 2290 2295 Email funding@mepa.org.mt Name of contact person Petra BIANCHI

Duration of project:

43 months (01.10.2012- 29.04.2016)

Total budget in euro: 952,006.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 476,003.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Species-Mammals

Project objectives The project’s main objective is to identify the relevant marine areas for the loggerhead turtle and the bottlenose dolphin, in order to designate marine SCIs within Malta’s 25 nautical mile Exclusive Fishing Zone (established in 1971). Specific objectives are: • To carry out scientific studies in marine areas in order to declare pSCIs for the loggerhead turtle and the bottlenose dolphin, as required by the Habitats Directive; • To obtain data on the target species in order to permit the evaluation of their conservation status and contribute towards the identification of areas essential to their life and reproduction. These sites will be proposed as pSCIs for eventual inclusion in the Natura 2000 network; • To contribute towards narrowing current knowledge gaps relating to the Maltese marine environment, via boat-based observations and surveys of cetaceans, turtles and other notable marine fauna; and

• To assess the conservation status of migratory Annex IV species. Expected results The main quantified expected results are: • A complete inventory of important areas for the loggerhead turtle and the bottlenose dolphin up to 25 nautical miles, through a combination of modelling of available oceanographic data and boat-based observations; • A technical report detailing the overall inventory of these important areas, including full details and maps of each site; • The designation of the relevant sites identified through this project as SCIs forming part of the Natura 2000 network, in line with Malta’s obligations and its jurisdiction, within the duration of the project; and • Project actions will be widely publicised, raising awareness about the conservation of marine mammals and reptiles in Malta and how Malta is working to achieve its international obligations.

Preservation of wetland habitats in

L I F E 1 1 N AT / P L / 0 0 0 4 2 2 Górna Biebrza

the upper Biebrza Valley

Project background The natural and semi-natural wetlands of the upper Biebrza Valley host a number of rare and endangered European habitat types listed in the annexes of the EU Habitats Directive, including priority bog woodlands, alkaline fens, transition mires and quaking bogs, and Molinia meadows. These valuable natural and semi-natural wetland habitat types host many rare flora and fauna species listed in the annexes of the Habitats and Birds directives. Despite the high nature value of the area, however, comparison of land-use data has shown that over the past 30 years, forest cover has grown by nearly 95% and the area of non-forested ecosystems has diminished by 57%. The decline of the humid grasslands/meadows is attributed to the abandonment of traditional agricultural practices e.g. grazing and/or cutting regimes, as well as the altered and simplified structure of the ecological landscape.

Project objectives The project’s overall objective is to increase the biodiversity of the upper Biebrza Valley through the restoration and maintenance of the mosaic of natural and semi natural wetland habitat types. The actions targeting the conservation of the habitats will also benefit a host of rare EU flora and fauna species. Specific project objectives are: • Restoration of the mosaic of non-forested wetland ecosystems; • Improvement in the conservation status of associated wetland plant communities and especially of biotopes supporting rare bird species associated with the open grassland/ meadows; • Improvement of the management efficiency of the project area of Natura 2000 sites, 92% of which are privately-owned. A key aim will be to demonstrate the economic benefits of land management in accordance with nature protection policies; • Groundwater stabilisation of the targeted wetlands; and • Integration of the project’s nature protection objectives with the development of tourist activity. Expected results • Stabilisation of the groundwater level of bog woodland, alkaline fens, transition mires and quaking bogs, and Molinia meadows, through removal of a drainage system on some 35 km;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Park-Reserve authority Name of beneficiary Biebrzański Park Narodowy Postal address Osowiec Twierdza 8 PL - 19-110 Goniądz POLAND Phone +48 85 738 30 43 Fax +48 85 738 30 21 Email m.silakowski@biebrza.org.pl Name of contact person Mariusz SIŁAKOWSKI

Duration of project:

64 months (01.09.2012 - 30.12.2017)

Total budget in euro: 4,817,551.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,408,775.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

• Results of hydrological studies carried out over the course of the project will be used in the management of four Natura 2000 sites; • Sustainable land management will be achieved for the priority habitats, and for the habitats of the aquatic warbler through land purchase, or long-term lease of private land; • A mosaic of 460 ha of non-forested wetland habitats will be restored and its sustainable management guaranteed; • Principles for forest use on some 1 200 ha of bog woodland will be established and a simplified forest inventory plan drawn up for privately-owned forests; • Higher protection limits for forests growing on bog woodland will be established, following a ‘participating management model. Implementation of this model will take place through a coordinated strategy for the project area and exchange of information via the GIS platform; and • Preservation of Natura 2000 habitats and species will be integrated with local development through smallscale tourist infrastructure.

Conservation and restoration

L I F E 1 1 N AT / P L / 0 0 0 4 2 3 AlkFens_PL

of alkaline fens (code 7230) in the young-glacial landscape of ­northern Poland Project background Alkaline fens (a habitat type listed in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive) are one of the most valuable and ecologically interesting European ecosystems, and also one of the most difficult to protect. The intensive drainage of wetlands in the 20th century has led to the disappearance of some 80% of Poland’s alkaline fens. The extreme risk to Polish alkaline fens has been confirmed by the results of an inventory of habitats carried out by the project beneficiary, Klub Przyrodników, during 2008-2011. This indicated that only 10-15% of the country’s alkaline fens have characteristic vegetation. From hundreds of samples analysed, only 34 were selected in northern Poland, which is the area of the most important refuges in the country of the rare plant species, marsh saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus), fen orchid (Liparis loeselii) and slender green feather moss (Hamatocaulis vernicosu).

Project objectives The project will focus on the protection of alkaline fens in 35 Natura 2000 sites located in northern Poland. This large-scale project is potentially of great significance since the project area incorporates some 70% of the total alkaline fens of northern Poland. The general objective is to prevent their degradation and to achieve or maintain “favourable” conservation status. This will have the consequence of improving the conservation prospects for the many associated rare and endangered plants they support. Specific project objectives include: • Preventing excessive runoff and increase groundwater levels in the alkaline fens; • Preventing mineralisation and eutrophication of surface layers of peat; • Halting biodiversity decline caused by the spread of peat species such as grasses, trees and shrubs; • Strengthening the regional marsh saxifrage population; • Disseminating information on conservation methods, based on good conservation plans and good management plans; • Promoting the protection of alkaline fens as refuges for rare and endangered species; • Promoting the protection of alkaline fens as CO2 ­accumulating areas; and • Establishing an interest group dedicated to building on the project results for the long-term protection of Poland’s alkaline fens.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Klub Przyrodników Postal address 1 Maja 22 PL - 66-200 Świebodzin POLAND Phone +48 68 38 282 36 Fax +48 68 38 282 36 Email robert.stanko@onet.eu Name of contact person Robert STAŃKO

Duration of project:

58 months (01.06.2012 - 31.03.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,809,081.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 904,540.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Bogs & Mires / Species-Plants

Expected results • Good prospects for the maintenance or restoration of the “favourable” conservation status of the 35 most valuable areas of alkaline fen in northern Poland; • To contribute to the strengthening and maintenance of some 90% of natural sites of marsh saxifrage and some 50% of sites of other target plant species; • Over the course of the project, 165 small water gates will be constructed, trees and shrubs will be removed from a 213-ha area of fens, and 253 ha of peatlands will be mowed; • Land purchase of 45 ha of the most valuable alkaline fens; • Drafting of 20 conservation plans for existing and planned nature reserves, together with the management plans for Natura 2000 network sites; and • Some 25 people to receive training in the management of the alkaline fens.

The construction of the blue

L I F E 1 1 N AT / P L / 0 0 0 4 2 4 Niebieski korytarz Regi

­ecological corridor along the valley of Rega river and its tributaries

Project background Fish are unusually active animals, changing their habitats over the seasons of the year, with the aim of reaching particular stages of their lifecycle. They reproduce in one place, their fry and young feed elsewhere and adult fish prefer other sites as their feeding grounds. The same applies to winter habitats of particular fish generations. With this in mind, it is important to protect the sites that are crucial to fish (spawning grounds, migration routes), as well as to preserve periodical river floods – as it is according to the natural rhythm of ebbs and flows that river ichthyofauna accomplish their lifecycle. Disturbing or breaking this rhythm can (in extreme cases) result in extinction, and, often leads to a reduction in numbers of particular fish species. The Rega basin is a relatively cohesive ecosystem. However, the construction of a high number of hydro-technical structures has caused a significant decrease in its biodiversity. These structures make it difficult, or even impossible, for fish to arrive at their spawning grounds or inhabit appropriate biotopes, located in the upper course of the river. Since 2005, the Rega river has been restocked with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and 121 440 fry of this species have been put into the river. Since the spawning grounds are not large enough to r­estock salmon it is necessary to clear spawning channels and create appropriate spawning grounds. In the Rega basin there are two Natura 2000 protected sites: the mouth of the Rega river and the Brzeźnicka Węgorza. By clearing the whole area of the Rega basin some wildlife corridors will be created.

Project objectives The overall project objective is to increase the biodiversity of the water ecosystems protected by the Natura 2000 sites, by linking them with an ecological corridor. The additional objective is to restock the salmon population in the Rega basin. Specific project objectives are: • To clear the Rega river and its major tributaries to make them accessible for fish; • To create artificial spawning grounds to increase the number of fish inhabiting the Rega river, and to ­improve the population of Atlantic salmon; • To record the fish migration to identify when and where fish access the spawning sites in the Rega ­basin; and

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Zachodniopomorski Zarząd Melioracji i Urządzeń ­Wodnych w Szczecinie Postal address al. Papieża Jana Pawła II 42 PL - 70-415 Szczecin POLAND Phone +48 91 44 05 116 Fax +48 91 44 05 101 Email regalife@zzmiuw.pl Name of contact person Maciej HUMICZEWSKI

Duration of project:

64 months (01.06.2012 - 30.09.2017)

Total budget in euro: 5,407,999.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,703,999.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater / Species-Fish

• To create an ecological corridor that will encourage indirect protective measures for the Natura 2000 areas, which for many reasons are now isolated ­enclaves, with limited possibility to perform various protective actions. Expected results • Clearing of the Rega river and its major tributaries by building fish passes; • Creation of artificial spawning grounds and enlargement of the existing ones; • Planting of trees along 47 km of the river bank to decrease water temperature; • Installation of monitoring devices to keep a record of the fish migrating upstream and downstream; and • Installation of electronic barriers at the sites where a specific result is expected, i.e. at Rejowice, Likowo, Gryfice and Płoty.

Active protection of lowland

L I F E 1 1 N AT / P L / 0 0 0 4 2 8 Capercaillie Protection

­populations of Capercaillie in the Bory Dolnośląskie Forest and ­Augustowska Primeval Forest Project background The project area covers the vast coniferous lowland forest, Bory Dolnośląskie, and the Augustowska primeval forest, where populations of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) still occur, but are under threat. In Augustowska, for example, the population has declined to only 30-40 individuals. According to a study carried out in the two areas, the main reasons for this decline include: the critically low population numbers; adverse genetic conditions; isolation of the populations; alteration of habitat; human-induced threats; and excessive impact from predators. The planned activities of this LIFE+ project will comply with the National Plan for the Protection of the Capercaillie and also with the recommendations of the IUCN Reintroduction Group for the species.

Project objectives This project aims to conserve two of the four remaining populations of capercaillie in the target Natura 2000 sites. Its actions will be carried out by local foresters, who will be encouraged to adopt ‘simple’ conservation methods, such as the improvement of habitat and changes in forestry management practices. With the release of individual birds bred in captivity – a methodology that has already proven very effective in Bory Dolnośląskie. Specific objectives include: • Restoring the capercaillie populations in the two forests by releasing birds obtained from Polish breeding centres; • Improving and monitoring the quality of biotope to meet the habitat requirements of the species; • Reducing the numbers of predator mammals by shooting or capturing them in live-traps; • Improving and monitoring capercaillie habitats; • Reducing human impacts; and • Promoting the project via environmental education and other dissemination activities. Expected results • Release of 110-140 birds into the Augustowska forest and 175-225 birds into the Bory Dolnośląskie forest; • An assessment of the habitat quality on 10 000 ha in Bory Dolnośląskie; • Improvement in the habitat for the species in Bory Dolnośląskie, on at least 67 000 ha, and in Augustowska, on at least 62 000 ha. This will be achieved through specific actions, including: constructing gates and small ponds to improve the water regime; remov-

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary National authority Name of beneficiary Nadleśnictwo Ruszów Postal address Leśna 2 PL - 59-950 Ruszów POLAND Phone +48 75 771 43 38 Fax +48 75 771 43 39 Email ruszow@wroclaw.lasy.gov.pl Name of contact person Janusz KOBIELSKI

Duration of project:

71 months (01.08.2012 - 30.06.2018)

Total budget in euro: 5,312,007.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,656,003.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Species-Birds

ing excessive tree undergrowth and forest bottom vegetation; Improving the available food supply and shelter on 125 ha; marking 165 km of wire net fences and dismantling 77 km of such fences; removing neophytic plants (Spiraea) on 6 ha in Bory Dolnośląskie and planting bog whortleberry; stemming the spread of invasive species on forest roads; installing 84 barriers and 168 information boards to reduce humaninduced threats; constructing a 7.6 km tourist trail; reducing the population of predatory mammals by 3 500; and creating a capercaillie database; • As a result of these actions, the project expects to reach a stable capercaillie population in Bory Dolnośląskie of 90-110 adult birds and a stable population in Augustowska of 80-100 birds; and • Improved awareness of the capercaillie through a range of dissemination activities, including: training courses, seminars, an international conference, publications, touring exhibitions and the opening of a Capercaillie Museum in the Głęboki Bród Forest District.

Endangered species and habitats

L I F E 1 1 N AT / P L / 0 0 0 4 3 1 „Ostoja Wigierska”

protection of the Natura 2000 ­“Ostoja Wigierska” site

Project background “Ostoja Wigierska”, a Natura 2000 site that forms part of the Wigry National Park in north-eastern Poland, hosts important populations of many endangered EU plant and animal species, as well as certain valuable natural habitats. These include a large number of wetland areas, which are home to many rare plants listed in the EU Habitats Directive, e.g. the fen orchid (Liparis loeselii), yellow marsh saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus) and waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa). The Natura 2000 site also hosts many endangered EU animal species associated with water and mud, for example, the large white-faced darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) and Desmoulin’s whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana). It is also important for the conservation of populations of rare or endangered amphibians, notably the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) and great-crested newt (Triturus cristatus). In addition, the site harbours populations of other threatened European species of vertebrates such as: the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus), common crane (Grus grus), and Western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus).

Project objectives The overall project objective is to protect the endangered species and habitat types of “Ostoja Wigierska”. The main actions will target a reduction in invasive species, land purchase and wetland restoration, the improvement of river water quality and the channeling of visitors in sensitive areas. All these activities will be accompanied by monitoring and educational activities. Specific project objectives include: • Reducing amphibian mortality during the target species’ seasonal migration; • Increasing the reproductive success of amphibians; • Improving the quality of the habitats for the following species: the large white-faced darter, green snaketail (Ophiogomphus cecilia), large copper (Lycaena dispar) and violet copper (Lycaena helle) butterflies, dragonflies (Leucorrhina pectoralis and Ophiogomphus Ceciliathick) thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus), and corncrake (Crex crex); • Improving the nesting conditions of Hymenoptera related to the clay subsoil; • Improving the quality of the habitats supporting most valuable plant species in the project area; and • Preserving and improving the most valuable habitats in the project area.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Park-Reserve authority Name of beneficiary Wigierski Park Narodowy Postal address Krzywe 82 PL - 16-402 Suwałki POLAND Phone +48 502 47 87 20 Fax +48 87 56 32 541 Email krzysztofiak.lech@gmail.com Name of contact person Dr. Lech KRZYSZTOFIAK

Duration of project:

62 months (01.10.2012 - 11.12.2017)

Total budget in euro: 3,046,808.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,523,404.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

Expected results • A reduction (by some 80%) of the mortality on roads of two populations of amphibians; • An increase in the number of convenient reproduction places for the two target amphibian species (by 25); • An increase in the number of convenient Hymenoptera nesting places (by 15); • An increase (by four) in the number of farmsteads equipped with devices to reduce water pollution; • An 80-90% reduction in the population of the invasive plant species, Impatiens grandiflora; • An increase in the cohesion of the “Ostoja Wigierska” site through the purchase of 68 ha of land; • A measurable increase in ecological awareness among the local community; • An improvement or restoration of the habitats on the 68 ha of purchased lands; • Shrub removal on 20 ha of land and mowing on 120 ha; • Improved safety measures on two tourist trails; and • A new nature publication about the project site.

Protection of valuable natural

L I F E 1 1 N AT / P L / 0 0 0 4 3 2 Ochrona obszaru PKOG

­non-forest habitats typical of the “Orle Gniazda” Landscape Park

Project background The Krakowsko-Częstochowska Upland, also known as the Polish Jura, is the largest karst area in Central Europe, with an exceptionally diversified landscape and a wide variety of geological formations. Traditional farming practices, particularly livestock grazing and meadow mowing, have led to the development of unique plant communities – xerothermic grasslands and thermophilous grasslands supporting some 300 plant species, as well as juniper thickets growing on heather moors and calcareous grasslands. One of the valleys, the headwater area of the river Centuria, provides suitable habitats for the critically endangered Polish scurvy-grass (Cochlearia polonica). Although some of the most valuable land has been included in the Natura 2000 network, other valuable natural habitats are still not protected. Furthermore, habitats both inside and outside the Natura 2000 sites are threatened by the expansion of woody vegetation resulting from the decline of traditional farming and livestock grazing, as well as the illegal construction of homes and uncontrolled tourism and recreational activities. Invasive alien species such as Sakhalin knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis) also constitute a major threat to the valuable rare and indigenous species of the Czestochowska Upland.

Project objectives The project’s main objectives are: to preserve and protect the valuable habitats of the Czestochowska Upland in four Natura 2000 sites; to form a network of landscape and natural ecological corridors; and to gain the active support of the local community for the need to protect and preserve the region’s typical natural features. Key measures will include: the restoration of grazing by sheep and goats to maintain the xerothermic and rock grasslands; the opening up of attractive tourist sites and the development of tourism infrastructure; and the provision of information about the protected areas. Specific project actions include: • Actively protecting threatened xerothermic and rock grassland habitats; • Closure to tourists of an ecosystem of caves that harbours six hibernating bat species; • The protection of non-forest habitats threatened by the increasing trend for “wild” tourism and recreation activities; • The protection of indigenous flora through the removal of Sakhalin knotweed; • The protection of the river Centuria’s existing population of Polish scurvy-grass;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Park-reserve authority Name of beneficiary Województwo Śląskie - Zespół Parków Krajobrazowych Województwa Śląskiego Postal address ul. Krasickiego 25 PL - 42-500 Będzin POLAND Phone +48 32 2674482 Fax +48 32 2670422 Email dor@zpk.com.pl Name of contact person Dorota OKOŃ

Duration of project:

46 months (01.09.2012 - 30.06.2016)

Total budget in euro: 1,780,837.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 890,418.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands

• Monitoring of the natural communities; • An information campaign targeting different social groups; and • Preventive measures, including patrols of the most natural valuable areas by the parks services, police and state forests agency. Expected results • The preservation and protection of some 100 ha of the most valuable xerothermic and rock grassland ecosystems located in four Natura 2000 sites; • The preservation and protection of 20 caves; • The preservation and protection of some 6.5 ha of grassland against uncontrolled rock climbing; • The removal of Sakhalin knotweed from an area of 1.5 ha; • The protection of endangered non-forest habitats from intensive human activities in the 11 most-visited sites; and • A reduction in the human-induced impact in the four most valuable Natura 2000.

Active protection of Great Snipe

L I F E 1 1 N AT / P L / 0 0 0 4 3 6 LIFEGALLINAGO

Gallinago media in Dolina Gornej Narwi Natura 2000 site

Project background The river Narew is one of the last remaining truly natural rivers in Europe. Now integrated into the “Dolina Gornej Narwi” Natura 2000 site, it is the second most important site in Poland for the Annex I Birds Directive-listed species, the great snipe (Gallinago media). Unfortunately, the river’s complex of valuable habitats, traditionally managed by hand and horses, is not managed at all now. This has caused the degradation of the habitats and led to the decline of the great snipe. In order to restore its population, it is necessary to restore access roads and small stone crossings to allow equipment to enter for the mechanised management of the habitats. Moreover, it is necessary to maintain the optimal habitat conditions and reduce the level of predation on snipe chicks by the introduction of grazing.

Project objectives The project’s main objective is to line enhance the population of the great snipe in the upper Narew valley. This will be achieved by the following planned actions: • The purchase of land to enable the project beneficiary to implement nature conservation actions to protect the target species; • Restoration of access roads and crossing places to enable the implementation of other conservation actions; • Restoration of some 190 ha of abandoned meadows to restore them to a condition favoured by the great snipe and other associated waders (extensive grazing) that maintain the appropriate structure of the vegetation; • Building/restoration of sluices and blocking ditches to maintain an optimal water level for breeding great snipe; • Evaluation of the great snipe population to enable the establishment of habitat preferences and for the precise selection of areas for project implementation; • Development of a national action plan for the species based on empirical data for the whole Polish population; • Information and dissemination actions mainly targeted at local communities and farmers; • Erection of an observation platform to reduce tourist disturbance in the most at-risk area; and • Assessment of the project impact through an integrated monitoring scheme. Expected results • The purchase of 160 ha of land; • Restoration of 190 ha of abandoned meadows;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Park-Reserve authority Name of beneficiary Polskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptaków Postal address Kolejowa-Wejmutka PL - 17-230 Białowieża POLAND Phone +48 856642255 Fax +48 856642255 Email dmusial@ptop.org.pl Name of contact person Dominika MUSIAŁ

Duration of project:

48 months (03.09.2012 - 31.08.2016)

Total budget in euro: 2,113,851.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,056,925.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Species-Birds

• Building of 24 crossing structures and 16 sluices, and the restoration of 7 km of access roads; • Purchase of 20 cows; • Purchase and restoration of buildings for keeping animals and machinery; • Building of an observation platform; • Development of a national action plan for the great snipe; • Development of integrated monitoring of the ecological and social impact of the project; • Assessment of optimal habitats, spatial movements, threats and the current level of active protection of the great snipe; and • Production of the following promotional material: a DVD, brochure, leaflet, stickers, posters, t-shirts, calendars, information boards, educational packages and a project website. The project will also hold a final seminar and network with other LIFE+ projects.

Recovery and conservation of

L I F E 1 1 N AT / P T / 0 0 0 3 2 7 LIFE Maciço Montanhoso

­species and habitats on the ­Madeiran Central Massif

Project background In August 2010, a large wildfire destroyed approximately 2 800 ha, or 80% of the Special Protection Area (SPA), “Maciço Montanhoso Oriental” (MMO), on the island of Madeira. This SPA is part of the Natura 2000 site, “Maciço Montanhoso Central” (MMC). Understandably, the recovery of the natural environment has been slow, and the spread of several aggressive invasive species in burned areas poses a significant threat to the normal recovery of the indigenous flora, fauna and habitats.

Project objectives The goal of the ‘LIFE Maciço Montanhoso’ project is to facilitate the regeneration and conservation of the fragile natural ecosystem of the MMO, including the recovery of plant, snail and bird communities within selected areas of the habitats. These include several endemic Madeiran species, 13 of which are listed in the Birds and Habitats directives. Ecological, environmental and genetic information will be gathered and used to produce habitat and species management plans, as well as to support the recovery of degraded habitats and create new populations of endangered species. The project targets three priority habitats for conservation: endemic Macaronesian heaths, endemic forests with Juniperus spp., and European yew (Taxus baccata) woods. It will also target 11 species included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive and Annex I of the Birds Directive, such as Zino’s petrel (Pterodroma madeira) and the Madeiran land snail (Leiostyla cassida), the distribution of which is mostly or completely restricted to the MMO. Specific objectives include: • Regeneration of target habitats through the control and eradication of invasive species, and the establishment of indigenous plant and snail communities; • Reintroduction and/or reinforcement of populations of the target species that were destroyed by wildfire, or the creation of new populations using, in the case of plants, seeds of the same populations previously collected and kept in the Jardim Botânico da Madeira Eng.º Rui Vieira (JBM), or collected in nearby wild populations; • Updating the inventory of the distribution of species and habitats listed in the Habitats Directive, as well as other rare endemic species occurring in the MMO;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Direcção Regional de Florestas - Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Recursos Naturais Postal address Estrada Comandante Camacho de Freitas, 308 P - 9020-149 Funchal (Madeira) PORTUGAL Phone +351 291 211 200 Fax +351 291 211 206 Email luisagouveia.sra@gov-madeira.pt Name of contact person Dr. Luisa GOUVEIA

Duration of project:

63 months (02.07.2012 - 02.10.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,225,022.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 593,487.00 (48.45%)

Theme: Biodiversity issues-Invasive species

• Monitoring the listed target populations, species and communities and the progress of the recovery actions (reintroduction, reinforcement and introduction); and • Developing an environmental awareness programme targeting the general public and highlighting the importance of the MMO, the threats it faces and its conservation needs. Expected results • A conservation programme of measures for species and habitats of Community interest with an “unfavourable” conservation status; • Increased knowledge of the ecology of endemic and indigenous species of Community interest; • A conservation programme for the regeneration of priority habitats in burned areas and in areas dominated by invasive species; and • Greater public awareness of and support for the conservation of species and habitats in the MMO.

Ecological restoration of forest

L I F E 1 1 N AT / R O / 0 0 0 8 2 3 C A R PAT H I A R e s t o r a t i o n

and aquatic habitats in the Upper ­Dimbovita Valley, Muntii Fagaras

Project background The upper Dambovita valley is the south-eastern part of the Romanian Natura 2000 site, “Muntii Fagaras”. The integrity of this ecosystem, which contains some of Europe’s most ecologically valuable, unfragmented woodlands, is threatened by uncontrolled logging, which has been occurring since the restitution of formerly nationalised forests to their private owners in 2004. Unfortunately, the site designation in 2007 has had no tangible effect on the preservation of these forests – clearcutting has continued and all forests are under threat. There is no enforcement, not even of obligations under national law, such as re-planting following clear-cutting. Aquatic and riparian ecosystems in the area have also been affected by the building of a hydro-power plant and numerous river-control structures during the 1980s.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Fundatia Conservation Carpathia Postal address Str. Principala 67b RO – 507210 Sinca Noua ROMANIA Phone +40 740 185580 Fax +40 268 228601 Email barbara@clcp.ro Name of contact person Barbara PROMBERGER-FÜRPASS

The beneficiary has been pursuing its aim of preserving and extending these wilderness areas through the direct purchase of forests.

Duration of project:

Project objectives

Total budget in euro:

The project aims to restore 20 000 ha of forests inside the “Muntii Fagaras” Natura 2000 site. The target area includes four Annex I forest habitats and two Annex I fluvial habitats. Various Annex II species will benefit indirectly. The beneficiary will buy the remaining forest areas in the upper Dambovita Valley and will work to ensure their total protection within the Natura 2000 site management plan. These areas will become mountain Picea forests to alpine level, with some Pinus mugo-Rhododendron myrtifolium associations in the subalpine areas and Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests with Abies alba and/or Picea abies to accelerate re-wilding processes and enhance biodiversity on the clear-felled areas. Some existing trees will be replaced with native tree species. The project will restore the original riverbank vegetation along the watercourses and rehabilitate the aquatic ecosystem of the Dambovita river basin in order to allow upstream fish migration. It will also work to reduce the negative impact of human-induced erosion, which is now causing the pollution of waterways and the degradation of forest productivity through loss of topsoil. A monitoring programme will evaluate the effectiveness of restoration actions and the project will work to inform the general public and increase public appreciation of conservation in the target area.

60 months (01.08.2012 - 31.07.2017)

5,835,248.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,917,624.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Forests

Expected results • Purchase and complete protection of 200 ha of virgin and quasi-natural forest patches in the upper Dambovita and Leresti valleys; • Purchase of 400 ha and regeneration with original species on up to 200 ha of clear-felled areas, and purchase of 1 000 ha of managed forests; • Erosion halted on at least 10 km of tracks; • Conversion of at least 400 ha of spruce plantations into more natural forests, with pockets of deciduous tree species and dead wood; • Reclamation of at least 100 ha of alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior; • Unobstructed upstream migration for fish on at least 17 km of watercourses above Lake Pecineagu; and • Increased support for the preservation of the target area.

Conservative management for

L I F E 1 1 N AT / R O / 0 0 0 8 2 5 NORTHWESTGORJ

4070 and 9260 habitats of ­ROSCI0129 North of Western Gorj

Project background The Natura 2000 site, “Nordul Gorjului de Vest” (ROSCI0129), in south-western Romania, can boast extensive ecological and biological diversity. It contains six types of ecosystem, from woods and bushes to caves, as well as 873 ha of natural sweet chestnut forest - one of only two such areas in the country. The area’s attractions provide a great opportunity for tourism. But local organisations seeking to exploit the commercial benefits of this activity are very aware that only through prevention of degradation and pollution, and by actively managing the area’s ecosystems can tourism be a sustainable activity. Parts of the area are already degraded or at risk of being destroyed because of bad management, over-grazing and deforestation of mountain pine and juniper to make way for more grazing land. Other problems come from invasive fungus attacking the chestnut trees and an overall lack of habitat management activities

Project objectives The ‘NORTHWESTGORJ’ project aims to restore two of the degraded habitats of the “Nordul Gorjului de Vest” Natura 2000 site and to establish conservation measures to secure their survival and long-term future. The targeted habitats are Bushes with Pinus mugo and Rhododendron myrtifolium and Castanea sativa woods, listed as habitats 4070* and 9260 respectively in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Restoration work will involve planting Pinus mugo at habitat 4070* and applying biological and silvicultural methods to eliminate chestnut blight - combined with hygienic and cultural operations. In areas where the fungus has compromised the efficacy of biological control 25 ha in total - the beneficiary will re-plant the chestnut trees by using seedlings created within the project. Additional measures are expected to create long-term benefits for the biodiversity of the area. Through the development of appropriate infrastructure for habitat protection and tourism control within the target districts, the beneficiary believes it can reduce the negative impacts of tourism and of uncontrolled grazing. The project will try to raise awareness about these issues by increasing public participation in nature-protection decision-making processes and conservation schemes.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Local authority Name of beneficiary Environmental Protection Agency Gorj Postal address 76, Unirii Street RO – 210143 TG. Jiu ROMANIA Phone +40 745 533 290 Fax N/A Email elisabetaj@yahoo.com Name of contact person Elisabeta JUVELOIU

Duration of project:

60 months (02.07.2012 - 30.06.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,987,742.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 993,871.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Forests

Expected results • Restoration of 10ha of destroyed habitat bushes with Pinus mugo and Rhododendron myrtifolium; • Restoration of 60 ha of chestnut habitat, Castanea sativa woods; • Restoration of 25 ha of totally-destroyed chestnut forest habitat with new chestnut trees; • Infrastructure will be built to help conserve restored habitats - including small-scale structures for visitors; • Publicity and information material about the project will be produced; and • 10 project events will be held, including a Chestnut Festival.

Environmental restoration and

L I F E 1 1 N AT / R O / 0 0 0 8 2 8 FOR-MARSH

support of natural processes in the forests and eutrophic marshes from Prejmer and Harman Project background The project concerns two Natura 2000 sites near the city of Brasov, in central Romania. The first is a complex reserve containing a forest and a marsh ecosystem with rare fauna and flora. The second is a marsh area that also hosts a number of well preserved rare species. The sites are under threat from numerous sources. They have suffered from grazing by various types of animals, and trampling during their passage through the forest and marsh; from an excessive development of invasive species; from attacks by various insects; and from diseases that affect the vegetation. They have also been adversely affected by modifications to the natural hydrological regime of the area; by habitat and property fragmentation; and by a lack of defined boundaries on the ground.

Project objectives The ‘FOR-MARSH’ project aims to improve the conservation status of three Annex I habitats at two sites in central Romania - “the Forest and Eutrophic Marshes of Prejmer” and “Dealul Cetatii Lempes - Harman Marshes”. It will seek to buy land, make necessary compensation payments, map water and soil in target areas, and introduce best practice restoration techniques for: alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior; calcareous fens in the Prejmer and Harman swamps; and Eurosiberian silvo-steppe with Quercus sp. Habitat. It will also target the preservation of three plant species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive: liparis loeselli, ligularia sibirica and adenophora lilifolia. Numerous targeted conservation or restoration measures are foreseen across the project sites, including improving forest, eliminating invasive species and unsilting streams. The project aims to reduce the adverse impact of human activities by a series of actions - meetings with mayors and farmers; creating a team of rangers; preventing open fires; protecting areas with natural fences; and marking SCI boundaries. A geographical information system (GIS) will be set up and a public information campaign carried out to promote the SCIs and their socio-economic benefits. Expected results • Purchase of 29 ha of land; • Transfer of property rights for 3 ha of marsh habitat 7210;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Fundatia Carpati Postal address Pavilioanele CFR nr. 100, sc.B ap.9 RO – 500233 Brasov ROMANIA Phone +40 268322261 Fax +40 268413772 Email titi@icaswildlife.ro Name of contact person Georgeta Maria IONESCU

Duration of project:

60 months (01.10.2012 - 01.10.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,266,068.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 885,731.00 (69.96%)

Theme: Habitats-Forests

• 727 ha at two Natura 2000 sites will be marked out with boundary stones; • Two marshes covering 5.42 ha will be protected by a vegetation fence; • 8.24 ha of Alnus forest will be restored to its natural regeneration capacity; • 3.4 ha of Quercus forest will be helped to regenerate naturally; • Invasive species will be eliminated from 3.5 ha of marsh; • Nine streams will be unsilted; • Hydro-pedologic maps of targeted areas will be created and a GIS established; • A team of rangers will be set up; • Some 500 people will be informed about the project through public events and dissemination materials; and • There will be an improvement in the attitude of local stakeholders towards conservation in the two protected areas.

Protection of the Common Stern in

L I F E 1 1 N AT / S K / 0 0 1 0 3 2 STERNASK

Slovakia

Project background In 2008, the population of the common tern (Sterna hirundo) in Slovakia was estimated to be 925 pairs, which is similar to the population in Hungary (950 pairs) and higher than that in Austria (250 pairs) and the Czech Republic (500 pairs). Given the size of the country, the Slovakian population of common tern is one of the densest in Europe, excluding Ukraine. However, the common tern is limited at present to only a few sites. The most important nesting site is the SPA, Dunajské luhy - where 306 pairs nested in 2010 and 377 pairs in 2011 - and the SPA, Dubnické štrkovisko with 280 pairs. The number of nesting pairs in each of the remaining sites was fewer than 100. The total number of nesting terns in the five project sites represents 80% of the national population. Nesting at the SPA Dunajské luhy, however, is affected by disturbance, especially that caused by visitors. The maintenance of such a strong population of the common tern is, therefore, unsustainable without the implementation of conservation measures. Unfavourable weather conditions, in particular floods, has lowered the success rate of nesting in the SPA Dubnické štrkovisko, while the unfavourable management of sites and the inappropriate structure of biotopes decreased nesting in the other project sites. The common tern breeding habitats are important for securing national populations of other bird species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive, such as the Mediterranean gull and redshank.

Project objectives The ‘STERNASK’ project aims to conserve the populations of the common tern, an Annex I-listed bird species, in five SPAs in the western and northern part of Slovakia. It aims to increase the population by 15% on 2010 figures and increase breeding success by 20%. The improvement of the conservation status will be achieved by enlarging the area of the common tern habitats and breeding sites in those areas not threatened by random external factors or unsuitable management. Expected results • A conservation programme for the common tern in Slovakia; • Management plans for two SPAs (SKCHVU006 & SKCHVU026); • Restoration of 12 ha of habitats for the benefit of the tern; • Construction of new nesting islands (three islands covering 400 m2);

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Slovenská ornitologická spoločnosť/BirdLife Slovensko Postal address Mlynské nivy 41 SK – 82109 Bratislava SLOVAKIA Phone + 421 905476779 Fax + 421 255422186 Email demko@vtaky.sk Name of contact person Miroslav DEMKO

Duration of project:

60 months (01.07.2012 - 30.06.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,840,202.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 920,101.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Species-Birds

• Removal of invasive species at the project sites; • Reduction in disturbance by visitors at the project sites; and • Improvement of the water regime at critical sites.

Natura 2000 Management ­programme for Slovenia for

L I F E 1 1 N AT / S I / 0 0 0 8 8 0 SI Natura2000 Management

the period 2014-2020

Project background In Slovenia, the on-site management of Natura 2000 sites is dependent on the management practices of different economic activities. For example, Natura 2000 forested areas are managed for commercial forestry reasons. The same is true for agricultural land, rivers and lakes. Policy on forestry, hunting, fishing, water management and agriculture is not coordinated across these different sectors and within each area it is often fragmented (e.g. addressing a few scattered sites) or incoherent (e.g. addressing species with different ecological requirements at the same site). The insufficient streamlining of these policies, along with the lack of stakeholders’ acceptance and insufficient funding, does not allow for the proper implementation of measures and thus threatens the achievement of “favourable” conservation status and even threatens the deterioration of the existing conservation status.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary National authority Name of beneficiary Ministrstvo za okolje in prostor (Ministry for the ­Environment and Spatial Planning) Postal address Dunajska 48 SI – 1000 Ljubljana SLOVENIA Phone +386 1 478 7475 Fax +386 1 478 7420 Email mladen.berginc@gov.si Name of contact person Mladen BERGINC

Project objectives

Duration of project:

The main objective of the project is to prepare the 20142020 Natura 2000 Management Programme for Slovenia, which will be adopted by the government.

Total budget in euro:

The project also aims to: • Integrate measures/solutions from the Natura 2000 Management Programme (2014-2020) into operational programmes for obtaining EU funds (agricultural, structural and cohesion, fisheries, LIFE+); • Finalise and update the Prioritised Action Framework, as required by Art. 8 of the EU Habitats Directive; • Analyse the implementation of measures and achieve the objectives from the Natura 2000 Management Programme 2007-2013, as well as using the results to draw up a new programme; • Communicate measures for Natura 2000 to different stakeholders and target groups, raising their awareness of Natura 2000 and increasing the awareness of general public of the importance of the network; • Identify opportunities within Natura 2000 sites for ­local and/or regional development, jobs and economic growth; • Adopt an act (the Natura 2000 Management ­Programme) that is harmonised with all competent sectors to properly manage the Natura 2000 sites in the country in the period 2014-20; and • Contribute to the understanding that the Natura 2000 network is also a good opportunity for sustainable development.

31 months (20.08.2012 - 30.03.2015)

1,706,914.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 853,457.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Land-use & Planning-Sensitive & protected areas management

Expected results The main quantified expected results are: • Recommendations for the preparation of conservation objectives and measures to achieve them in the new Natura 2000 Management Programme 2014-20 and Recommendations on the better use of funds; • A Prioritised Action Framework for Slovenia, in ­relation to the EU’s co-financing of Natura 2000 measures; • Guidelines on the financing of each type of measure of the future Natura 2000 Management Programme 2014-20; • An IT tool that guides potential project applicants through the application process (including financing possibilities) and the approval of projects; and • The delivery of a Natura 2000 Management Programme (C2) and its adoption by the government.

Riparian Ecosystem Restoration of

L I F E 1 1 N AT / S I / 0 0 0 8 8 2 LIVEDRAVA

the Lower Drava River in Slovenia

Project background Almost the entire project area is located on a plain called ‘Dravska raven’ in northeast Slovenia. The Drava River is a designated Natura 2000 site and is home to eight habitat types and more than 10 protected fauna species listed in the annexes of the Habitats Directive. However, the natural habitats and dependent species have been deteriorating, particularly since the construction of hydro-power plants in the 1960s and 70s, which caused enormous changes in the natural dynamics of the river. Allied to human pressure from uncontrolled recreational activities, winter hunting and greater public access to the most sensitive areas, this had led to the widespread decline and even regional extinction of bird populations associated with riverine habitats.

Project objectives The project aims to preserve and enlarge populations of species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive (birds typical for lowland rivers) and Annex II of the Habitats Directive (fishes and beetles) by managing alluvial forest habitats (Annex I, Habitats Directive) along the Lower Drava River in Slovenia. The project also aims to improve cooperation between the most important stakeholders along the river and to inform the public about the natural value of these Natura 2000 sites and the importance of their conservation. Specific objectives include: • Transformation of 61 ha of former wastewater basins into a semi-natural wetland as a stopover site for migrating birds (Ormoz Basins); • Habitat management of forest stands to improve the status of some 15 ha of alluvial forests; • Establishment of a grazing system; • Removal of illegally-built fishing and hunting platforms; • Creation of a new artificial breeding island; • Opening up and restoration of three side arms of the Drava River (total length 1.5 km); • Preparation of the river banks to allow breeding by the kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and sand martin (Riparia riparia); • Management of gravel banks; and • A reduction of human disturbance. Expected results • Population increase (and breeding success) of the little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius) (50% increase), sand martin (50-100% increase), common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos; 15% increase), kingfisher and whitetailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) (30% increase);

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary DOPPS - BirdLife Slovenia Postal address Tržaška cesta 2 SI – 1000 Ljubljana SLOVENIA Phone +386 1 426 5875 Fax +386 1 425 1181 Email damijan.denac@dopps.si Name of contact person Damijan DENAC

Duration of project:

64 months (01.09.2012 - 31.12.2017)

Total budget in euro: 4,377,483.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,188,741.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

• Colonisation of new sites and population increase of the hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita), Graphoderus bilineatus beetle, Mudminnow (Umbra krameri) and Asp (Aspius aspius); • Enhancement of the habitat quality in 15 ha of priority alluvial forests; • Increase of the breeding population of flagship species, such as the common tern (Sterna hirundo); • Recovery of 10 000-15 000 wintering individuals (e.g. geese roost). In this way, the SPA SI5000011 Drava will again meet IBA/SPA criteria A4iii, B1v and C4 (at least 20 000 waterbirds on a regular basis); • Colonisation of the area by several new breeding species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive; • A tenfold increase of the breeding population of globally near-threatened ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca); and • Permanent assignment of the nature reserve to the conservation of targeted waterbird species.

Recovery and conservation

L I F E 1 1 N AT / E S / 0 0 0 6 9 1 DESMANIA

­Program for Galemys pyrenaicus and its habitat in Castilla y León and Extremadura Project background The Iberian/Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a small, semi-aquatic mammal that is endemic to mountain streams in the Iberian Peninsula. The species is an excellent biological indicator, with numbers reflecting closely the state of conservation or degradation of the habitats it occupies. However, the desman is increasingly in danger of extinction, with populations being both reduced and increasingly fragmented. The species is currently disappearing from the Sistema Central mountain range, which covers the inner Iberian plateau, and significant population decreases have been identified in the southern river basins of the Cantabrian mountain range. It has been catalogued by the IUCN Red List as a “vulnerable” species and is classified in some Spanish regions as “in danger of extinction”.

Project objectives The ‘DESMANIA’ project aims to establish the basis for a long-term strategy for the recovery for the Iberian desman and its habitats. Ultimately, it hopes to change the negative population trend and improve the conservation status of the species, whilst also benefitting other species using the same habitat. The project will conduct an exhaustive study of the distribution, biology, behaviour (ethology), and genetics of the Iberian desman. In particular, it will examine and determine the causes of the regression of the species in the area, as well as defining risk maps of the highpriority habitats of the Iberian desman. The project team plans to carry out actions to improve the status of the key habitats for the species in the SCIs covered by the project. They expect to establish measures to arrest and reduce the effects of the major identified threats, including invasive predator species, poor water quality and non-sustainable water use in natural channels. The project will involve and engage the relevant competent administrations and diverse social groups in the long-term management of the important habitat for the target species. It will work to increase awareness of the population of the existence of the Iberian desman and its role as a biological indicator of the quality of the water resource and the habitats that it occupies.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Fundación Biodiversidad Postal address c/Fortuny, 7 E – 28010 Madrid SPAIN Phone +34 91 1210921 Fax +34 91 210931 Email itorres@fundacion-biodiversidad.es Name of contact person Ignacio TORRES RUIZ-HUERTA

Duration of project:

54 months (01.06.2012 - 30.11.2016)

Total budget in euro: 2,599,265.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,299,632.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

Expected results • Increased understanding of the Iberian desman, its distribution, biology and its population regression; • Identification and mitigation of major threats; • Creation of a network for the long-term conservation of the species; • Improvement in habitat quality at key sites for the species (including 88 km of river banks restored and 88 000 trees/shrubs planted); • An increase in the Iberian desman population; • Benefits to other species in the same habitat; • Increased awareness of the species and its biological indicator role; and • The establishment of a basis for the future transfer of individuals to suitable habitat areas.

Natura 2000 management

L I F E 1 1 N AT / E S / 0 0 0 6 9 9 MedWetRivers

and monitoring programme for ­Mediterranean wetlands and rivers

Project background This ambitious project covers all of the SCI/SPA areas of riparian and wetland habitats located in the Mediterranean Biogeographical Region of Castilla y León. These sites comprise 17% of the Natura 2000 sites in this Autonomous Community. It involves a total of 13 SPAs (3 wetlands and 10 riparian areas) and 47 SCIs (11 wetlands and 36 riparian areas).

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Public enterprise Name of beneficiary Sociedad Pública de Medio Ambiente de Castilla y León S.A. Postal address c/Juan II de Castilla, 4 Bajo E – 47009 Valladolid SPAIN Phone +34 983 415 494 Fax +34 983 246 344 Email teresa.gil@somacyl.es

One of the main challenges for these areas is ensuring coherence and cooperation between the different authorities and stakeholders engaged in water and nature management. It can be difficult to prevent duplication and overlapping of actions, or even different actions that are at cross purposes between different agents looking to achieve their own specific objectives.

Project objectives The ‘MedWetRivers’ project seeks to promote coordinated management of the wetland/riverine Natura 2000 sites in Castilla y León. It specifically aims to develop a management programme and a monitoring programme for 60 Natura 2000 sites in Castilla y León (SCIs and SPAs) related to water ecosystems (wetlands and rivers). It thus seeks to coherently achieve the multiple objectives of the Birds, Habitats and Water Framework directives in the region. The project will work to promote cooperation and integrated approaches among the different authorities with competences in water and nature management in Castilla y Leon. It will also improve cooperation with the other national water authorities with important river basins in the region, covering the Tajo, Ebro and Miño-Sil rivers. It will ensure the participation of all stakeholders in the establishment of indicators, threshold values and methodologies for a Management and a Monitoring Programme for the conservation of water-dependent habitats and species of Community interest in the River and Wetland SCI/SPAs of Castilla y León. It aims to improve the coherence of the Natura 2000 network and thus deliver concrete ecological benefits to the region. Expected results • Establishment of Management and Monitoring Plans for the River and Wetland SCI/SPAs of Castilla y León; • Harmonisation of the regional implementation of the Habitats and Birds directives with the Water Frame-

Name of contact person Teresa GIL

Duration of project:

56 months (01.09.2012 - 01.05.2017)

Total budget in euro: 2,744,394.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,284,376.00 (46.80%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

•

• • •

work Directive and the European Strategy on biodiversity; To guarantee the maintenance of, or restoration to a “favourable” conservation status, water dependent habitats and species of Community interest within the region; Improvement in the public perception of Natura 2000 and increased participation in implementing the network at regional level; To contribute to the integration of the Natura 2000 network in various related sectors and environmental legislation; and To provide a management and monitoring model for water-dependent habitats to other regional governments in Spain (and beyond).

Elaboration of the Prioritised

L I F E 1 1 N AT / E S / 0 0 0 7 0 0 PA F N AT U R A 2 0 0 0 S PA I N

­Action Framework for Natura 2000 in Spain

Project background The ability of relevant authorities to successfully manage the conservation of Natura 2000 sites requires an adequate financial strategy. There are also many interrelating objectives, actions and approaches to managing an SPA/SCI that can involve aspects relating to human health, regional development, research, innovation, information and communication technology (ICT) and education. One of the opportunities for improved environmental performance in the Natura 2000 network is to integrate funding from various programmes and sources to achieve interrelated objectives. However, such integrated approaches require careful planning, identification of priorities and a clear division of tasks between funding sources.

Project objectives The ‘PAF NATURA 2000 SPAIN’ project aims to improve the capacity for financing and managing the Natura 2000 network in Spain through the preparation and implementation of a Prioritised Action Framework (PAF). This framework will provide a coherent view of the integrated actions required for the management of designated sites and enable the use of different financial instruments for specific actions. The project will: • Establish management and strategic priorities for the Natura 2000 network in Spain; • Prepare and publish technical guidelines for the implementation of key measures to achieve the strategic objectives of Natura 2000 over the period 2014-2020; • Produce a study on the potential role of EU funds and innovative financial mechanisms to support the national Natura 2000 network; and • Conduct detailed planning of five to seven pilot priority actions - including monitoring and evaluation measures - for achieving the strategic objectives of Natura 2000 using different financial instruments. Expected results The project expects to achieve the following results: • Creation of a PAF for the Natura 2000 network in Spain; • Technical guidelines for achieving Natura 2000 priority objectives; • Dissemination of the PAF and technical guidelines to all relevant authorities and stakeholders, including the submission of the PAF to the European Commission; and

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary National authority Name of beneficiary Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, y Medio Rural y Marino Dirección General de Medio Natural y Política Forestal – Subdirección General de Biodiversidad Postal address Rios Rosas, 24 E – 28071 Madrid SPAIN Phone +34 91 7493635 Fax +34 91 7493614 Email MGPerez@mma.es Name of contact person Marta GARCÍA PEREZ

Duration of project:

24 months (01.06.2012 - 31.05.2014)

Total budget in euro: 551,750.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 275,874.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Land-use & Planning-Sensitive & protected areas management

• Demonstration of different potential funding opportunities for integrated conservation actions in Natura 2000 sites.

Sustainable management of

L I F E 1 1 N AT / E S / 0 0 0 7 0 4 Ordunte Sostenible

the Ordunte SCI for the natural ­conservation of the area and use of its resources Project background The Ordunte Mountains in the Basque Autonomous Region have been designated a Natura 2000 protected area because of their wealth of important habitat types. However, several negative pressures are threatening the conservation and permanence of the most characteristic habitats in this SCI, particularly extensive unregulated farming. Changes to sheep management practices and the use of heavier species have caused trampling and shepherding patterns that are difficult to withstand in certain enclaves. The traditional use of fires to create pasture has also diminished woodland and bush areas, leading to ground deterioration and impoverishment, in particular through the increased speed of erosive processes and the homogenisation of indigenous woodlands.

Project objectives

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Diputación Foral de Bizkaia Postal address c/Gran Vía, 25 E – 48009 Bilbao SPAIN Phone +34 944 066 848 Fax +34 944 066 899 Email ordunte@ikt.es Name of contact person Juan António DUBLANG ARSUAGA

The project aims to maintain and/or restore the “favourable” conservation status of habitats and species of Community importance in the Ordunte SCI. It seeks to work with specialists to improve long-term sustainable management of the area, also attending to socio-economic needs.

Duration of project:

Specific actions will focus on: • Restoring blanket bog habitat; • Promoting sustainable pasture use; • Promoting natural woodland recovery, by: eliminating some pine and eucalyptus plantations to allow the recovery of acidophilic beech; improving the structural complexity of the Pyrenean oak forest and its resilience; eliminating pine trees to enable the natural recovery of riverside alder groves; and creating an inventory of Woodwardia radicans and Trichomanes speciosum populations and establishing basic criteria for the restoration and maintenance of their habitat; and • Promoting the socio-economic development of the area; and raising awareness about the natural values of the SCI and the Natura 2000 network.

EC contribution in euro with %:

Expected results The project expects to consolidate the relationship between experts in hygro-peat bog habitats and forestry habitat management and deliver the following: • Recovery of blanket bog habitat by stabilising 1 ha of perimeter blanket bog; recovering 2000 m2 of still exposed bank with geotextiles; and achieving near total coverage of the recovered bank (0.6 ha) with native flora; • Achieving sustainable pasture use by: reducing livestock pressure on Salduero-Pozonegro fens-Sphagnum

64 months (01.09.2012 - 31.12.2017)

Total budget in euro: 2,518,863.00

1,259,431.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Bogs & Mires

by at least 50%; adding infrastructure for livestock (e.g. water troughs); improving 200 ha of pastures outside hygro-peat bog enclaves, to support and improve livestock activity in the area; demarcating and signposting 5 km of roads so that vehicles avoid crossing the fensSphagnum; and introducing good livestock practices; • Recovery of natural woodland by: clearing of pine and eucalyptus plantations from 209 ha of potential beech forest area; improving the structural complexity of 51 ha of Pyrenean oak forest; recovery of 10 ha of alder groves near streams; and locating and recording new populations of Woodwardia radicans and Trichomanes speciosum at SCI siliceous ravines; and • Promoting socio-economic development of the area by the refurbishment of the 20 km Peñalarga path, with signs, viewpoints and information points; increased public and educational use of the SCI; and a specific communications plan to raise awareness of the natural values of the site, the project and the Natura 2000 network in general.

Conservation and restoration of

L I F E 1 1 N AT / E S / 0 0 0 7 0 6 LIFE Renaix El Bosc

Tilio-Acerion forests in the north of the Valencian Region

Project background Tilio-Acerion forests are mixed forests of secondary species found on steep rocky slopes, coarse screes and ravines, particularly on calcareous substrates. Their importance is recognised by their inclusion in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. In Valencia, these habitat-types can be found in small enclaves in the Maestrat and Els Ports mountains, where they are under threat from farming, over-pasturage, wood production in the pine forests and coal production within the oak forests, which have caused progressive fragmentation and regression of the habitats. Two characteristic species, Tilia platyphyllos and Ulmus glabra, are now listed as vulnerable in the Annex I of the Valencian Catalogue of threatened flora species.

Project objectives The ‘LIFE Renaix El Bosc’ (“rebirthing the forest”) project seeks to improve the conservation status of Mediterranean Tilio-Acerion forests in the Tinença de Benifassà and Alt Maestrat SCIs. The aim is to restore 40 plots, covering 265 ha of TilioAcerion habitat, including 100 ha under private ownership. Forest structure improvement actions are foreseen across 200 ha, with specific actions to reduce the density of pine forest on 40 ha. An important action will be plant production and planting in the forest. The project intends to produce 25 000 native plants of 25 different species. Of these, 22 500 will be destined for planting to recover the target habitat and the remaining 2 500 used in dissemination and educational activities. To prepare for the conservation actions, the project team will produce: • A botanical and phyto-sociological characterisation report on the Tilio-Acerion enclaves; • A characterisation report on the project plots, including cartography and GIS data; • An analysis of the human use of the natural sites and local population involvement in the SCIs and their conservation; and • An investigation into the reasons for the current low regeneration rates of the habitat. The project seeks to raise awareness about the importance of conserving the most dynamic and diverse

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Generalitat Valenciana - Conselleria de Infraestructuras, Territorio y Medio Ambiente Postal address c/Francisco Cubells, 5 E – 46011 Valencia SPAIN Phone +34 96 1920300 Fax +34 96 1920258 Email marzo_ant@gva.es Name of contact person Antoni MARZO PASTOR

Duration of project:

60 months (01.01.2013 - 31.12.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,994,940.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,494,210.00 (74.90%)

Theme: Habitats-Forests

Tilio-Acerion forests, to encourage public involvement in sustainable management, and to encourage awareness about Natura 2000 sites. Particular awareness-raising campaigns will be targeted at forest landowners and schools. Expected results • Improvement of the conservation status of 265 ha of Tilio-Acerion habitats; • Production of 25 000 plants native to the habitats; • Good practice leaflets on the management of TilioAcerion habitats; • Technical reports on the habitat sites, including cartography, GIS data, and an examination of human use and the reasons for poor regeneration rates; and • Awareness-raising campaigns, including: public events, press conferences and technical workshops targeted at forest landowners; the Ajudem el Nostre Bosc (“Help our forest”) campaign in schools; and a 10-minute documentary.

Inland wetlands of Northern

L I F E 1 1 N AT / E S / 0 0 0 7 0 7 TREMEDAL

­Iberian Peninsula: management and restoration of mires and wet environments Project background Peaty and wet habitats are types of wetlands found mainly in Northern Europe with its cold and damp climate. Whilst scarce in the Iberian Peninsula, some isolated examples are found in mountain areas. These ecosystems are not well-known or valued by the local population, or wider society, thus contributing to their degradation (and in some cases destruction) through use in ways not compatible with conservation. The project involves a group of inland wetlands in Northern Iberia that are included in the Natura 2000 Network or are important for the connectivity of Natura 2000 sites. They contain habitats of Community interest, including seven different types of peat habitat, as well as other wet habitats. The sites also contain important populations of key species. For example, there are estimated to be 1 150 examples of the plant Eryngium viviparum within the Parga-Larda-Támoga SCI, 5.7% of the population for the whole of Spain.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Public entreprise Name of beneficiary Gestión Ambiental, Viveros y Repoblaciones de Navarra (GAVRN) Postal address Padre Adoain, 219 - bajo E – 31015 Pamplona SPAIN Phone +34 94 8382438 Fax +34 94 8382391 Email asun.berastegi@gavrn.com Name of contact person Asun BERASTEGI

Duration of project:

40 months (01.07.2012 - 31.10.2015)

Project objectives The overall intention of the ‘TREMEDAL’ project is to improve the conservation status and resilience of the peaty and wet habitat types in the project areas. It will conduct restoration actions and look to implement good management measures to reduce the threats that negatively impact on the habitats. The project will also increase understanding and awareness of the habitat types by collating and updating information about the presence, distribution and description of the wet and peaty habitats in and around the Atlantic Biogeographic Region of the Iberian Peninsula. Expected results • Restoration and improved conservation status of: some 85 ha of habitats 4020*, 7140 and 7150 at eight locations in Navarra; 6 000 m2 of mires habitat and 5 000 m2 of habitat 7210* at six locations in the Jaizkibel SCI; habitat type 3180 in Lago de Arreo SCI providing also a protection area with natural vegetation to habitat types 7210*, 7230, 1410 and 1510*; habitat types 7130 and 7230 in two peat locations within the Picos de Europa SCIs; 1.3 ha of habitat types 4020*, 6410 and 3110; 1 ha of 7210*and 91E0*; and 2.6 ha of 3110, 6410, 6430 and 91E0* inside the Parga-Larda-Támoga SCI; and habitat type 7140 at Usabelartza in the Río Leizarán SCI;

Total budget in euro: 2,824,867.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,412,433.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Bogs & Mires

• Increasing by 50% of the population of the target species Eryngium viviparum* (within the Parga-LardaTámoga SCI); Carex hostiana (in Belate and Arxuri); and Rhynchospora fusca and Spiranthes ­aestivalis (in Arxuri); • Improved biodiversity in the target habitats; • Creation of a germplasm bank of threatened structural plant species; • Reports and a (GIS) database on the presence, distribution and description of wet and peaty habitats in the Atlantic Biogeographic Region of the Iberian Peninsula; • Increased connectivity and ecologic coherence of the Nature 2000 network, potentially including the extension of some SCIs; and • Increased awareness of these important habitats.

Improvement of TAXUS baccata

L I F E 1 1 N AT / E S / 0 0 0 7 1 1 TA X U S

conservation status in north-­ eastern Iberian Peninsula

Project background The yew tree (Taxus baccata) is a flagship tree, one of the longest-living in the world, with tremendous cultural, natural and scientific heritage value. It is a survivor of a previous age, being a species that was more widespread during the last glaciations. However, the yew is now showing evidence of regression in south-western Europe, making it a vulnerable species. It has a wide range across Europe but only appears in small, reduced population sizes, isolated from each other. It has special status under the laws of some EU countries and some of its populations are included within the habitat-type, “Forests Mediterranean Taxus baccata”, which is a priority for conservation in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. There are seven sites where yew populations are protected in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula. The main threats to yew populations seem to be the influence of climate change and human pressures. Processes and activities, including the changing landscape of buildings and infrastructure, excessive use of yews for therapeutic purposes and for livestock, plus losses from fire and logging have significantly contributed to the current situation.

Project objectives The broad aim of the ‘TAXUS’ project is to contribute to conservation of yew habitats in the north-east Iberian peninsula through specific forestry measures and environmental education activities. The project has the following specific aims: • Improve seed dispersal and seedling survival; • Growing 10 000 seedlings and replanting 3 500 juveniles; • Reduce grazing damage to young yew trees (10 ha); • Pruning of 430 trees to improve resistance to Armillaria fungi; • Reduce the risk of wildfire affecting yew populations (39 ha); • Reduce competition between species for light and water (82 ha); • Various conservation actions on 13.5 ha; • Increase knowledge about the conservation status of yew populations in north-eastern Spain; • Improve public understanding about the conservation

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Research institution Name of beneficiary Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya (CTFC) Postal address Crta Sant Llorenç, Km2 E – 25280 Solsona SPAIN Phone +34 973 481 752 Fax +34 973 481 392 Email europe@ctfc.es Name of contact person Denis BOGLIO

Duration of project:

48 months (05.11.2012 - 04.11.2016)

Total budget in euro: 1,220,947.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 915,710.00 (75.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Forests

value of yews and their habitats through education programmes; and • Disseminate the project results to all stakeholders. Expected results The project expects to deliver concrete conservation measures in four of the seven sites where this habitat is protected in north-eastern Spain, with the following results: • An improvement in the conservation status of the targeted yew populations; • Reduced risk to yew populations – particularly from fires and grazing; • Increased public awareness about yew conservation – particularly amongst local inhabitants, forestry workers and shepherds; and • Ideas and suggestions for further conservation measures.

Dehesa Ecosystems: ­Development

LIFE11 BIO/ES/000726 bioDEHESA

of Policies and Tools for ­Biodiversity Conservation and Management Project background ‘Dehesas’ are part of Spain’s natural heritage. They are areas of holm oak (Quercus ilex) woodland transformed by humans to provide pastures for livestock. This type of transformation created an agro-silvicultural ecosystem of high ecological value, especially in relation to pasture biodiversity (habitat 6310 – Habitats Directive). However, increasing numbers of dehesas have been in decline over recent decades and so has their conservation status, with a notable decrease in the biodiversity value of these areas. Sometimes this decline is due to abandonment and sometimes because of agricultural intensification or unsuitable agricultural practices. The Region of Andalusia has tried to address the problem by introducing a new law (7/2010) to favour conservation of these agro-silvicultural habitats.

Project objectives The ‘bioDEHESA’ project aims to promote sustainable, integrated management of dehesas by demonstrating and disseminating action plans, which deal with the main challenges involved in their conservation. The project intends to create a network of 40 pilot dehesas that will trial activities and management practices to enhance dehesa conservation and biodiversity. As well as various conservation measures, the project will test other related horizontal services that support the integrated management of dehesas, including an oak decline assessment service, a moisture deficiency diagnostic tool, nursery protocols and a geographic information system (GIS). The network will develop a monitoring system and identify indicators. It will use these to assess previous experiences, compile information on dehesa-related biodiversity and make environmental evaluations. Key to support this will be the development of a “Dehesa Technical Assistance Service”, made up of six technical consultants and an evaluation and monitoring team of four. The project will develop a model “Integrated Management Plan” as a basic tool to provide solutions to the most serious management problems for dehesas. It will hold participatory workshops to help the transfer of knowledge and best practice and disseminate its results through a manual of good practice and the internet.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Junta de Andalucía - Consejería de Pesca y de Medio Ambiente Postal address Avenida Manual Siurot, 50 E – 41071 Sevilla SPAIN Phone +34 955 003408 Fax +34 955 032134 Email dgdsia.cma@juntadeandalucia.es Name of contact person Esperanza PEREA COSTA

Duration of project:

54 months (01.10.12 - 31.03.2017)

Total budget in euro: 7,921,436.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 3,938,545.00 (49.72%)

Theme: Biodiversity issues-High Nature Value farmland

Expected results • A conservation action that will focus mainly on: 400 ha of dehesas, a 200 ha soil remediation action; rehabilitation of some 400 ha of grazing land; 2000 nests and 40 ponds; • Institution-building and consolidation of networking for dehesa conservation; • Increased understanding and knowledge of dehesa-related biodiversity; • An agreed Integrated Management Plan with well-defined indicators and monitoring systems; • A manual of best practice in dehesa conservation, covering a range of conservation and related activities; • The preparation of new legal instruments to support dehesa conservation; and • An effective dissemination of information strategy targeting national, regional and European administrations.

Conservation of Astragalus

LIFE11 BIO/ES/000727 CONSERVASTRAGALUS-MU

­nitidiflorus in its potential habitat in the Murcia region

Project background Garbancillo de Tallante (Astragalus nitidiflorus) is a plant that is endemic to Cartagena in the Murcia Region of Spain. First described in the 20th Century, the species has a population of just 300 adult plants, all growing in the SCI “Cabezos del Pericón” and surrounding area. It is a named species on several conservation lists. It is included in the Spanish Environment Ministry’s list of Wild Species Under Special Protection (139/2011, 04 February 2011) and is categorised as “in danger of extinction” in the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species. It was considered “in critical danger” in the 2008 Red List of Spanish vascular flora and it is even labelled as an “extinct” species under the European Red List from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Project objectives The principal objective of the ‘CONSERVASTRAGALUSMU’ project is the recuperation and conservation of the Garbancillo de Tallante. The beneficiary aims to increase understanding of the species, strengthen existing populations and put in place plans to ensure long-term conservation of the species in the region. A key approach in terms of increasing and reinforcing the existing populations will be to develop, test and demonstrate techniques for the cultivation of the plant in nurseries. As well as growing increased numbers of the plant, these efforts will seek to increase the genetic resilience of the species. Measures to reinforce existing populations will also focus on improving the connectivity between the existing populations. The project will look to reduce the threats that impact negatively on the species, notably through improved land stewardship. Supported by conferences, forums and specialised working groups, it will develop a study of the species, a Habitat Management Guide and a recovery plan. It will conduct an evaluation of the impact of the project on the target species and on the local economy. The project will work hard to raise awareness and spread knowledge about the species and biodiversity conservation, particularly in the municipality where this endemic species is found.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary University Name of beneficiary Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena Postal address Plaza Cronista Isidoro Valverde s/n E – 30202 Cartagena (Murcia) SPAIN Phone +34 968 32 54 42 Fax N/A Email juan.martinez@upct.es Name of contact person Dr. Juan José MARTÍNEZ SÁNCHEZ

Duration of project:

48 months (01.06.12 - 01.06.2016)

Total budget in euro: 1,263,033.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 579,731.00 (45.90%)

Theme: Species-Plants

Expected results • An increased population of Astragalus nitidiflorus (10 ha with 12 000 new plants); • Improved genetic resilience of the species; • Improved connectivity of populations; • Better land stewardship; • Three technical publications: a monograph; a technical manual for habitat management; and a recovery plan for the species; • Improved long-term management and conservation of the species; and • Dissemination of the project results nationally and internationally.

Restoring the conservation status

L I F E 1 1 N AT / S E / 0 0 0 8 4 8 RECLAIM

for wetland habitats and species intrinsic to long term management practices in Sweden Project background The project concerns two sites near the city of Orebro, central Sweden – one is a Natura 2000 lake area, the other is one of the largest alkaline fens in the country. Both are suffering from a serious lack of management, which is threatening habitats and species. The first site is the lake at Tysslingen. Until the 1950s, grazing and hay-making were commonplace, but as the number of farms and the amount of grazing decreased, both meadows and lake quickly succumbed to overgrowth. Efforts to halt the decline began in 1986: grazing was reintroduced on the meadows and different machine-assisted methods were tried to halt the overgrowth, with varied success. Landowners tried to improve the lake for fishing, hunting, and waterfowl.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary The County Administrative Board in Örebro County Postal address S - 701 86 Örebro SWEDEN Phone +46 19 19 38 46 Fax +46 19 19 30 10 Email jesper.pietsch@lansstyrelsen.se Name of contact person Jesper PIETSCH

The second site is Venakärret, a large alkaline fen that has also suffered because the management of alkaline fens is a relatively undeveloped science in Sweden. Managers of Swedish wetlands have noticed that meadows have become wetter since tractor-assisted mowing started in the late 1990s.

Duration of project:

Project objectives

1,455,277.00 (50.00%)

The main objective of the ‘RECLAIM’ project is to reverse the degradation of the two sites and create “favourable” conditions for the continued and sustainable management of key habitats and species. The focus will be on enabling good management after the project. Both sites include habitats and species favouring conditions characterised by traditional grazing and mowing. Therefore, the project will aim to restore the sites to conditions that will allow grazing and/or mowing to be carried out in a sustainable manner. It will prepare strategies for the long-term management of both sites, including a specific reed bed plan for Tysslingen. Numerous targeted conservation tasks will be carried out: clearance; the restoration of grazing; cutting and control of trees, shrubs and undergrowth; the installation of fencing; the restoration of reed beds; the construction of an access road; hydrological management; the creation of a pond; and the moving of a dyke. The project also aims to demonstrate and assess the use of a new machine for wetland mowing in areas with low carrying capacity.

63 months (01.09.2012 - 30.11.2017)

Total budget in euro: 2,910,555.00

EC contribution in euro with %: Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

Expected results At the Tysslingen lake site: • Formulation of a long-term management strategy and reed bed plan; • Restoration of 212 ha and enhanced grazing on 250 ha; • Habitat and hydrological characteristics improved on 45 ha of “Molinia meadows”; • Reed bed dynamics restored on 2 ha of “Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrochartitiontype vegetation”; and • The habitat and conservation status of seven bird species listed in the EU Birds Directive will be improved. At the Venakärret fen site: • Formulation of a long-term management strategy; • Restoration of 11.6 ha of “Alkaline fens” habitat; • Restoration of 15 ha of “Fennoscandian wooded pastures” habitat; and • An improved habitat for four species listed in the EU Habitats Directive – the marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia); Geyer’s whorl snail (Vertigo geyeri); slender green feather moss (Hamatocaulis vernicosus); and lady’sslipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus).

Restoration of habitats on sandy

L I F E 1 1 N AT / S E / 0 0 0 8 4 9 SandLIFE

soils in southern Sweden

Project background The project covers 23 Natura 2000 sites distributed on sandy soils in Skane and the neighbouring coastal counties of Halland and Kalmar. The counties have a total population of some 1.75 million people and the sandysoil habitats are left as living remnants of a traditional lifestyle and historical landscape. These areas have suffered from the effects of human activities, including wind erosion and sand drift caused by the removal of trees, and the abandonment of sandy-soil areas for farming. The latter has led to a continuous invasion of trees, bushes, and tall, dense vegetation - grasses and herbs - along with the degradation of flora and fauna.

Project objectives The overall objective of the project is to restore, maintain and improve biodiversity in 23 Natura 2000 areas on sandy soils in southern Sweden. The project will use already developed methods to restore a “favourable” conservation status to a number of Natura 2000 habitat types and ensure positive impacts for species linked to sandy soils. The project will use different methods to ensure the benefits of restoration remain in the long term. Planning and management schemes will be created to benefit the ecological functions of these areas. Restoration work will include: the clearance of woodland; the creation of bare sand areas; removal of the invasive Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa); the management of encroachment; and the management of heather. Further contributing activities will include the organisation of burning events, the establishment of fire-breakers and the construction of fencing. The impact of the interventions will be monitored by surveys of habitat structure, and inventories of plants, birds and insect species. A survey of socio-economic conditions will also be carried out. The outcome of the project will be disseminated in the form of guidelines for the restoration of sandy soil habitats. Exhibitions and other awareness raising actions will seek to create acceptance amongst stakeholders and the general public of the need for restoration and the implications. Expected results • Improved biodiversity on a total area of 3 349 ha at 23 project sites; • New areas of target habitat types created and reported;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary County Administrative Board of Skåne Postal address Kungsgatan, 13 S - 205 15 Malmö SWEDEN Phone +46 40 25 22 31 Fax +46 44 25 21 05 Email maria.sandell@lansstyrelsen.se Name of contact person Maria SANDELL

Duration of project:

72 months (01.08.2012 - 31.07.2018)

Total budget in euro: 7,850,305.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 3,923,854.00 (49.98%)

Theme: Habitats-Coastal

• An improvement in the biodiversity of flora, fauna and fungi, especially species that depend on open sand areas; • Specific plans will be produced for all 23 project sites and information passed to landowners, County Administrative Boards and others involved in conservation; • Restoration work on smaller areas will include: woodland clearance (316 ha); the creation of bare sand areas (391 ha); the management of encroachment (139 ha); removal of the invasive Japanese rose (26 ha); and the management of heather (26 ha); • Construction of 59.15 km of fencing, the setting of firebreaks on 36.5 km and the organisation of 69 burning events; • 12 permanent outdoor exhibitions on the biodiversity of sandy habitats and restoration management; • Publication of a manual of sandy-soil habitat management; and • Specific conservation recommendations that can be implemented across Europe.

Habitat restoration & development

L I F E 1 1 N AT / N L / 0 0 0 7 7 0 Blues in the Marshes

for Scarce and Dusky Large Blue in N2K area Vlijmens Ven, ­Moerputten and Bossche Broek Project background The project area is located within the “Vlijmens Ven, Moerputten and Bossche Broek” Natura 2000 network of sites. The area consists of damp meadows, fens and wet forests, but also semi-natural grasslands, as well as intensive agricultural land. Wet grassland butterflies are among the most threatened species’ groups in ­Europe, especially those associated with damp and moist meadows. The restoration potential of the area is high, because it is situated in a seepage zone.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Vereniging Natuurmonumenten Postal address Noordereinde 60 NL - 1243ZS s-Graveland THE NETHERLANDS Phone +31 35 6559868 Fax +31 35-6559222 Email a.stoker@natuurmonumenten.nl

Project objectives This project aims to restore the habitat of two highly threatened butterfly species in Europe, the scarce large blue [Phengaris (Maculinea) teleius] and dusky large blue [Phengaris (Maculinea) nausithous]. Both butterfly species are listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive and the project is aiming for a significant improvement in the resilience of their populations. A key specific goal is to enlarge an area of 170 ha, and improve a 50 ha area of the Annex II habitat types on which the target butterfly species rely – namely the Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clay/silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) and lowland hay meadow with Alopecurus pratensis and Sanguisorba officinalis. This will be achieved by creating new nature areas from the currently intensively used arable land within the project area. Best practice measures will be adopted, such as the removal of the top soil of the areas that are now intensively farmed, restoration of the hydrological system and facilitation of the colonisation of target plant species and ants. The habitat improvements should also benefit three other Annex II-listed species of EU importance associated with the habitats: the spined loach (Cobitis taenia), mud loach (Misgurnus fossilis) and water plantain (Luronium natans); as well as the Annex I habitat, hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara. Expected results • Improved quality on 10 ha of suitable habitats of the two target butterfly species in the Moerputten and Bossche Broek Natura 2000 sites. This will improve the resilience of the populations and thus increase the chances of long-term survival of the species in The Netherlands and the Atlantic region; • 170 ha of newly naturalised grassland habitats on areas in Honderdmorgen, De Maij, Vlijmens Ven and

Name of contact person Andries STOKER

Duration of project:

79 months (01.06.2012 - 31.12.2018)

Total budget in euro: 3,535,437.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,711,730.00 (48.42%)

Theme: Species-Invertebrates

• •

•

•

Heidijk that were formerly unsuitable for the species because of intensive agricultural use; Improved conservation status of the scarce large blue, with increased numbers per year and new populations; Ecological corridors between Bossche Broek and the larger part of the project area (De Maij, Honderdmorgen, Moerputten and Vlijmens Ven) and between Moerputten and Vlijmens Ven; Workshops with partners and stakeholders, helping to ensuring that current and future planning activities recognise the needs of the target habitats and species; and A series of communications and demonstration actions, including web updates, leaflets, posters and other printed promotional material; information panels and new footpaths for visitors to the project sites; targeted workshops and symposiums; educational packages for schools; events targeting the general public; and a “Habitat development and reintroduction plan for Phengaris/Maculinea in Europe”.

Nature development in the

L I F E 1 1 N AT / N L / 0 0 0 7 7 1 Floodplain development

­Natura2000 upper floodplains of the river IJssel

Project background The project is located in an area known as IJsselpoort and consists of the two sub-areas of Koppenwaard and Velperwaarden. The area is formed by the upper floodplains of the river IJssel, which is included in the Natura 2000 network of protected sites because of the presence of large areas of several threatened habitats and species. The area is threatened by intensification and over-fertilisation leading towards a monotonous landscape with low nature values and high euthrophication. Furthermore populations of many plant and animal species are highly fragmented, as a result of the loss of their favoured habitats.

Project objectives The main objectives of the ‘Floodplain development’ project are: • To enlarge the area of characteristic riverine Natura 2000-habitats along the river IJssel and to create biotopes for species associated with these habitats; and • To improve water safety by buffering and preventing the effects of climate change (e.g. high flood risks, but also drying out). In order to restore these habitats and create a more robust ecosystem, land purchase is crucial. Therefore, a total of 83 ha will be purchased (61 ha at Velperwaarden and 22 ha at Koppenwaard). The project also has a number of secondary objectives, which include: • Improving public accessibility and recreational zoning and extending recreational facilities in the project ­areas; and • Involving local farmers in the (future) habitat-oriented management. The project is part of a more extensive project, “Rivierklimaatpark IJsselpoort”, which is developing a spatial ­development programme for the upper floodplains of the river IJssel, in order to help mitigate any future negative impacts from climate change. Expected results The project will result in: • An enlargement of the target habitats by a total of 118 ha;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Vereniging Natuurmonumenten Postal address Noordereinde 60 NL - 1243ZS s-Graveland THE NETHERLANDS Phone +31 35 6559868 Fax +31 35 6559222 Email a.stoker@natuurmonumenten.nl Name of contact person Andries STOKER

Duration of project:

67 months (01.06.2012 - 31.12.2017)

Total budget in euro: 3,268,719.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,634,355.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater

• Water safety improvement measures will increase the water storage capacity in the floodplains and thus reduce the risk of flooding elsewhere. Furthermore, the measures will prevent habitats from drying out during summer and improve spatial connection of habitats and populations of species that are susceptible to climate change; and • Recreational measures will result in a bird observatory, a partly restored and extended footpath (Koppenwaard), shortcuts to the river IJssel and other improved facilities for visitors (e.g. wooden benches at viewpoints).

‘Amsterdam Dunes - source for

L I F E 1 1 N AT / N L / 0 0 0 7 7 6 Amsterdam Dune project

nature’, dune habitat restoration project

Project background The AWD area is owned by the municipality of Amsterdam. The main land use is nature conservation and drinking water supply. Also ‘nature friendly recreation’ is allowed, namely hiking on designated paths. Since 1850, the area’s characteristic dune/wetland habitat types have deteriorated both in size and quality due to desiccation (drying out) from water extraction, air pollution and acidification and eutrophication (nitrogen deposition). In recent decades this negative environmental impact has decreased because of a change in the method of water production in the area and measurements to reduce the nitrogen deposition. However largescale measurements are needed in order to restore the area. The Waternet foundation has extensive experience of dune management and restoration and conservation of the landscape and natural processes. A team of 35 experts work on the day-to day management of the 3 400 ha dune area. These management tasks include: mowing, grazing and removal of invasive species (Prunus serotina). However, largescale restoration measurements are required in order to reverse the effects of long term dehydration and to create the right conditions for the restoration of the natural habitats.

Project objectives The project’s overall aim is to restore and improve the characteristic and priority habitat types of the AWD that are part of the “Kennemerland Zuid” Natura 2000 site. The recovery of the area will be encouraged by actions targeting the effects of desiccation and eutrophication, such as the removal of the nitrogen-rich top layer of soil and of invasive species, restoration of ponds; and by mowing, grazing, and other nature management measures. More specifically, the project goals are: • Expansion and improvement in quality of the priority habitat type “fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation”, also known as “grey dunes”; • Expansion and improvement in quality of the habitat type, “dunes with Hippophae rhamnoides”, also known as seabuck thorn; and • Expansion and quality improvement for the habitat type, “humid dune slacks”, including habitat suitable for the close whorl snail, mottled white-faced darter and the fen orchid. Expected results • Mowing and turfing of 98 ha of encroached tall grasslands, grey dunes and dune slacks; • Mowing of 35 ha of grassland areas and dune valleys overgrown with tall grasses;

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary Waternet Foundation Postal address Korte Ouderkerkerdijk 7 NL - 1090 GJ Amsterdam THE NETHERLANDS Phone +31 20 608 2448 Fax +31 20 608 3900 Email jack.wright@waternet.nl Name of contact person Jack WRIGHT

Duration of project:

55 months (01.06.2012 - 31.12.2016)

Total budget in euro: 2,483,024.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,241,512.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Habitats-Grasslands

• Removal of 150 ha of scrubs and woodlands (including Prunus serotina). A further 65 ha of these will be turfed; • 2 ha of old ‘blowouts’ excavated and reactivated; • 20 ponds restored after dredging and removal of 100 m3 of mud and of 2 ha of bank vegetation; • An area of 350 ha will be managed with a flock of sheep grazing in the summer periods; Areas where these measures have been implemented will become suitable for development of the (priority) habitat types and habitats of target species, leading to the following: • A 77 ha extension and 158 ha qualitative improvement for the priority habitat type “fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation”; • An 18 ha extension and 80 ha qualitative improvement for the habitat type “dunes with Hippophae rhamnoides”; and • An 11 ha extension and 6 ha qualitative improvement for the habitat type “humid dune slacks”. Overall, the target is to restore 350 ha of priority habitat types to a “favourable” conservation status.

“Let the raised bogs grow” Natura

L I F E 1 1 N AT / N L / 0 0 0 7 7 7 Peelvenen

2000 Deurnsche Peel/Mariapeel

Project background The “Deurnsche Peel” and “Mariapeel” are Natura 2000 sites in the south-east of the Netherlands. Both areas are of great importance, because they contribute to the ecological variation within the EU priority habitat type, active raised bogs. Additionally, they are part of the lens bogs, a landscape type that is an exceptional feature in the Western European plains. These elements contribute considerably to the conservation of the relevant habitat types at a European network level. The habitat types of active raised bogs and regenerative raised bogs are currently threatened by eutrophication, dehydration, loss of habitat and invasion by an exotic plant species.

Project objectives The project’s main objectives are to restore, conserve and improve the ecological functioning of the valuable Habitats Directive (Annex I) bog habitat types of the “Deurnsche Peel” and “Mariapeel” Natura 2000 sites; and to halt the loss of biodiversity by increasing the natural quality and diversity of wildlife over a surface of more than 2 400 ha. Specific measures include: • Converting former agricultural land into a nature ­reserve; • Hydrological actions to avoid dehydration of the area and the influx of nutrient-rich water; • Restoration of heaths; and • Removal of the invasive exotic plant species, blueberry cultivar. The sites are also of great importance as a resting and foraging area for wintering birds and birds in transit, e.g. the tundra bean goose (Anser serrirostris), the whitefronted goose (Anser albifrons) and the common crane (Grus grus). They are also home to several breeding birds listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive, including the little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), the bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) and the stonechat (Saxicola rubicola). These will all benefit indirectly from the habitat restoration. Expected results The project will achieve the following quantifiable ­results: • An improvement in the ecological quality of 2 400 ha in the two Natura 2000 sites by eliminating nutrients from the former agricultural enclave and by securing

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary National authority Name of beneficiary Dienst Landelijk Gebied Postal address Godsweerdersingel 10 NL - 6040 KE Roermond THE NETHERLANDS Phone +31 475356771 Fax +31 475356777 Email e.p.l.camps@minlnv.nl Name of contact person Edith CAMPS

Duration of project:

50 months (01.06.2012 - 31.07.2016)

Total budget in euro: 6,391,380.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,284,279.00 (35.74%)

Theme: Habitats-Bogs & Mires

a stable water level. As a result the current “unfavourable” state of conservation will greatly improve; and • Removal of the threats of eutrophication and hydration of the active raised bogs and regenerative raised bogs to create the necessary conditions for expansion of the regenerative raised bogs by 70 ha. Long-term effects will include: • An additional 176 ha of active raised bogs, and an improvement in the quality of an existing 1 ha of this priority habitat type; • An additional 70 ha of regenerative raised bogs, as well as an improvement in the quality of 1 270 ha of this habitat type; • Stable populations of silver-studded blue (Plebeius argus) and smooth snake (Coronella austriaca); and • An improvement in the quality of 250 ha where active raised bogs and regenerative raised bogs are present.

Pearls in Peril - securing the future

L I F E 1 1 N AT / U K / 0 0 0 3 8 3 PIP GB

of the freshwater pearl mussel in Great Britain

Project background The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is declining dramatically throughout its range and is under grave threat in the UK, as in other areas of its EU distribution. The British populations of the freshwater pearl mussel, which is highlighted for conservation under Annex II of the Habitats Directive, have been adversely affected by multiple issues, including wildlife crime (removal in order to sell the pearls), habitat degradation and declining water quality.

Project objectives This overall project objective is to safeguard the future of the most important pearl mussel populations (M. margaritifera), in Great Britain (i.e. in 21 Natura 2000 sites across England, Scotland and Wales) by tackling the main threats and by implementing best practice conservation methods. Specific project goals include: • Restoring the habitat of freshwater pearl mussels and their host fish (brown trout and Atlantic salmon) in selected UK river catchments. This will be achieved by improving instream and riparian (river) habitats for freshwater pearl mussels and their host fish; • Securing the long-term survival of existing mussel populations and preventing their further degradation, by carrying out artificial ‘infection’ of host fish with mussel larvae in three Natura 2000 sites (Ehen, Moriston, North Harris). This action will also include monitoring the existing levels of ‘natural’ infection; and • Carrying out communications activities aimed at local, national and international audiences to raise awareness of pearl mussel conservation issues. Expected results • A reduction of nutrient and sediment input from diffuse sources by improving riparian land management in at least five river catchments (Dee, South Esk, Ehen, Evelix and Afon Eden). This will include the promotion of enhanced riparian land management techniques to at least 120 land-managers; • The promotion of tree planting will take place in at least five catchments (Dee, Spey, S. Esk, Ehen and Naver). This will include working with at least 60 land managers; • The physical restoration of natural in-stream processes will take place in at least five catchments. This will include the identification of degraded sites throughout each catchment and the delivery of prac-

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Scottish Natural Heritage Postal address Great Glen House Leachkin Road UK - IV3 8NW Inverness UNITED KINGDOM Phone +44 1463 725232 Fax N/A Email iain.sime@snh.gov.uk Name of contact person Iain SIME

Duration of project:

48 months (02.07.2012 - 01.07.2016)

Total budget in euro: 4,617,398.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 2,293,990.00 (49.68%)

Theme: Habitats-Freshwater / Species-Invertebrates

tical restoration work at over 25 individual locations. It will also include the installation of large woody debris and restoration of access for Atlantic salmon in the Mingarry Burn catchment; • A reduction in silt input in at least seven catchments by blocking ditches and establishing riparian wetlands, as well as the establishment of extensive areas of native riparian woodland. It will also include identifying opportunities and planning for the implementation of subsequent riparian woodland improvements in the River Moriston catchment; • A ‘riverwatch’ programme will be developed and delivered in 16 Natura 2000 sites. This will include raising awareness of freshwater pearl mussel conservation issues with at least 20 stakeholder groups; and • A “pearls in the classroom” programme will be developed and delivered in 20 Natura 2000 network sites. Delivery of the programme will involve at least 150 school visits.

Improvement Programme for

L I F E 1 1 N AT / U K / 0 0 0 3 8 4 IPENS

­England’s Natura 2000 Sites

Project background More than 90% of the 36 000 ha of land in England designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and not in a “favourable” or “recovering” condition, is covered by the Natura 2000 network. A further 460 000 ha (53% of which is in the Natura 2000 network) is in a “recovering” condition. Natural England has defined 40 reasons why 33 000 ha of Natura 2000 sites are not in a “favourable” or “recovering” condition. The top 20 reasons, by area, include factors relating to pollution, water levels, over- and under-grazing, and the impact of invasive species. The task of ensuring that all Natura 2000 features are under recovery management, and the much greater task of ensuring they remain in recovery, requires a coherent programme across the English Natura 2000 sites.

Project objectives This project will develop a programmed approach for achieving target conservation status on all Natura 2000 sites in England. It will work with key stakeholders at national and regional level, in the public, private and voluntary sectors, to help them adopt and implement this approach. The programme structure will contain a detailed overview of the Natura 2000 network in England, including a review of its contribution to biodiversity in the EU. It will analyse the risks and threats to each site, including an assessment of the mechanisms available to counter them. The programme will also develop financing plans for the sites, and for surrounding green infrastructure where it affects the site’s condition. This will involve an assessment of European and domestic financial instruments. Finally, the project will combine all this information to produce a programme of projects to be implemented. The beneficiary will also work with key stakeholders to secure their commitment to deliver the programme objectives. An After-LIFE plan will outline how the Natura 2000 programme will be taken forward thereafter, and will include the creation of a key stakeholder steering group, which will oversee and monitor progress.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Natural England Postal address 1 East Parade UK - S1 2ET Sheffield UNITED KINGDOM Phone +44 300 060 1696 Fax +44 300 060 1120 Email NEexternalfunding@naturalengland.org.uk Name of contact person Phil DENHAM

Duration of project:

36 months (01.07.2012 - 30.06.2015)

Total budget in euro: 3,575,345.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 1,787,672.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Land-use & Planning-Sensitive & protected areas management

Expected results This is the first time that the development of such a programme has been attempted in the UK and it may be the first in the EU. Therefore, although the project will develop the programme using established procedures, it will also develop new best practice in the way in which this information is gathered, analysed and developed into a programme that will consider all the impacts on the Natura 2000 network in England, and all of the mechanisms that can be used to tackle them. The project will develop a programme that will be used to identify a strategic approach to meeting Natura 2000 obligations in England. It will look to work with other EU projects that are developing Natura 2000 management and restoration programmes and it will share examples of best practice with the rest of the UK and other Member States. Lessons learned during the programme will be gathered and disseminated at the end-of-project European workshop.

Development of a programme for

L I F E 1 1 N AT / U K / 0 0 0 3 8 5 N2K Wales

the management and restoration of Natura 2000 in Wales

Project background Some 8.5% of Wales’s land area (including intertidal areas) and 35% of its territorial waters are included in the Natura 2000 network. Wales accounts for approximately 15% of the UK’s total Natura 2000 area (including current pSCIs in UK offshore waters). A total of 53 natural habitat types and 28 species listed in Annexes I and II of the Habitats Directive respectively feature in Welsh SAC designations. In addition, 38 species of birds are designated features of SPAs in Wales, including 15 species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive and 23 regularly occurring migratory species. The most commonly cited issues affecting terrestrial Welsh SAC features are agriculture and land management, with grazing (under or over grazing) being the largest cause for concern. Other risks to terrestrial sites include pollution, land drainage, burning, recreational disturbance and habitat damage, predation of species and the spread of invasive non-native species. In addition to the impacts of fishing (and a lack of restrictions), risks to marine Natura 2000 sites and features include pollution, invasive species and recreational disturbance. The aim of the project is to develop a programme for the management and restoration of Natura 2000 in Wales. The programme specifically aims to: • Address all of Wales’ Natura 2000 sites, both terrestrial and marine; • Create a strategic, costed framework for making substantial progress towards the achievement of favourable conservation status of habitat types and species listed in Annexes I and II of the Habitats ­Directive, birds species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive and regularly occurring migratory bird species; • Focus on Natura 2000 as the cornerstone of Wales’s efforts to achieve this favourable conservation status; • Achieve a high level of participation among relevant stakeholders; • Draw up an ‘After-LIFE Implementation Plan’ which provides a platform for seeking funding for Natura 2000 related projects from all potential sources, and integrating Natura 2000 funding into other financial instruments and policy areas; • Establish conservation management priorities for Natura 2000 for the period 2014-2020; • Develop financing plans for site management and non-site based mechanisms; • Provide the primary and substantive basis for review and development of a Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 sites in Wales; and

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary Regional authority Name of beneficiary Countryside Council for Wales Postal address Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhos garnedd UK - LL57 2DW Bangor UNITED KINGDOM Phone +44 1248 672563 Fax +44 1248 679259 Email c.price@ccw.gov.uk Name of contact person Colette PRICE

Duration of project:

28 months (01.09.2012 - 31.12.2014)

Total budget in euro: 1,330,276.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 665,138.00 (50.00 %)

Theme: Land-use & Planning-Sensitive & protected areas management

• Identify key knowledge gaps for managing Natura 2000 and identify projects to address these. Expected results This project intends to build on the best practice carried out to date (ie publishing conservation objectives in Natura 2000 site core management plans and sharing the actions database with partners), to move forward and develop a prioritised programme for Natura 2000 in Wales for 2014-2020 and beyond. Lessons learned through applying the process will be documented and shared with all relevant stakeholders.

Maintaining and enhancing the

L I F E 1 1 N AT / U K / 0 0 0 3 8 7 Scilly rat removal

Isles of Scilly SPA through the ­removal of rats from two key ­islands Project background The Isles of Scilly lie at the centre of a large network of Natura 2000 sites covering 26 851 ha. The archipelago is home to the following habitats and species: sandbanks that are slightly covered by seawater all of the time; mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide; reefs; shore dock (Rumex rupestris), grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and the project’s main target bird species, the storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) and Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus). In addition, the isles contain SSSIs of national importance for vascular plant species, vascular plant associations, breeding shorebirds and lichens. Project actions will take place mainly on the islands of St Agnes and Gugh in the southern part of the Scilly SPA. St Agnes (105 ha) has cultivated farmland at its centre, surrounded by heathland, maritime heath, a few wooded areas and sandy and rocky shores. Gugh (37 ha) has regenerating heathland, maritime heath, marram dunes, a small wooded area and a rocky shoreline. The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is widespread and abundant on both islands, and was probably introduced as a result of shipwrecks in the 18th century. The presence of brown rats (estimated at 3 300 individuals) is responsible for the loss of adults, young and eggs of both the main target bird species.

Beneficiary:

Type of beneficiary NGO-Foundation Name of beneficiary The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Postal address The Lodge UK - SG19 2DL Sandy UNITED KINGDOM Phone +44 1767 693207 Fax +44 1767 683211 Email nick.folkard@rspb.org.uk Name of contact person Nick FOLKARD

Duration of project:

60 months (01.10.2012 - 30.09.2017)

Total budget in euro: 1,107,871.00

EC contribution in euro with %: 553,935.00 (50.00%)

Theme: Biodiversity issues-Invasive species / Species-Birds

Project objectives The overall purpose of the project is to maintain and enhance the conservation value of the Isles of Scilly Natura 2000 network site by removing brown rats from two key islands within this SPA. The main target species, the storm petrel and the Manx shearwater, are a key component of the internationally important seabird assemblage. The project is also likely to benefit other birds, including the puffin (Fratercula arctica) and the Annex I, Birds Directive-listed species, common tern (Sterna hirundo) and kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). It may also facilitate the recolonisation of the islands by roseate tern (Sterna dougallii). In addition, it is expected to have a positive impact on: the oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula), song thrush (Turdus philomelos), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), lesser white-toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens) and a range of invertebrates and plants such as heather (Calluna vulgaris) that are adversely affected by rats.

Expected results The main immediate result of the project will be the eradication of the brown rat population on St Agnes and Gugh. As a result, the 41.3 ha of habitat on these islands that is suitable for breeding storm petrels will become accessible to this species, together with 3 610 m of stone walls in which it could nest. In addition, rat removal will render 43.7 ha of suitable habitat available to Manx shearwaters. Over time, this should lead to significant increases in the populations of both species on these two islands (currently there are 17 pairs of Manx shearwater and no pairs of storm petrel).

KH-AS-12-001-EN-N

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Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2012 LIFE Publication / Nature & Biodiversity – Projects 2011 ISBN 978-92-79-25249-5 ISSN 1977-2300 doi:10.2779/55740 Š European Union, 2012 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. This publication is only available in electronic format.

doi:10.2779/55740