LIFE Model Forest. Model management of forest habitats and species bound to forest habitats and trees

Project description

This project is being implemented as part of Czech-Polish-Austrian cooperation. In the context of forest protection in Natura 2000 areas in southern Poland, northern and southern Czech Republic, and northern Austria, it is crucial to implement measures that increase biodiversity, restore habitat structure, eliminate invasive alien species, and re-establish natural processes. These measures include allowing trees to decompose naturally, creating and maintaining water reservoirs, controlling wildlife impacts, removing undesirable species, promoting sustainable recreation, and disseminating knowledge and best practices among local communities and government authorities.

Project goals

The main objective of the LIFE Model Forest project is to improve the conservation status of habitats and species, and to eliminate invasive alien species in selected Natura 2000 areas, by developing a coherent model for the protection of forest habitats and associated species in cooperation with administrative units, landowners, and volunteers.

The specific objectives are:

• improvement of the conservation status of 11 habitats (3 priority) and 12 species (3 priority) across a total of 20 SCI/SCA areas in 2 EU countries (Czech Republic and Poland), with the possibility of extending the results to other countries, primarily Austria. The habitats are: 91D0, *91E0, *9180, 9110, 9130, 9170, 9190, 91F0, 91T0, 91U0, 7140. The species are: *1084 Osmoderma eremita, *1078 Callimorpha quadripunctaria, *4094 Gentianella bohemica, 1079 Limoniscus violaceus, 1083 Lucanus cervus, 1086 Cucujus cinnaberinus, 4026 Rhysodes sulcatus, 4014 Carabus variolosus, 1193 Bombina variegata, 1180 Bombina bombina, 1166 Triturus cristatus, 1381 Dicranum viride.
• development and dissemination for further use of a four-language (English, Polish, Czech, and German) methodology for the removal of invasive alien plants, including Echinocystis lobata, which is potentially very dangerous for native ecosystems.

Characteristics of the project

The project aims to inventory and describe the conservation status and protection of the aforementioned habitats and species, as well as the occurrence of invasive alien species within selected borderland Natura 2000 sites (Poland–Czech Republic border, Czech Republic–Austria border). Subsequently, conservation and restoration measures for the habitats and populations of target species will be developed, and invasive alien species will be eliminated in collaboration with volunteers and landowners in protected areas. Based on six years of monitoring the effects of these activities, a methodology will be developed for the protection and restoration of habitats and target species, combating invasive alien species, and disseminating knowledge and best practices among local communities and administrative bodies.

Work Packages:
WP1: Project management, schedule oversight, communication between partners, and risk management.

WP2: Comprehensive and detailed inventory of Natura 2000 sites included in the project.

WP3: Planning and implementation of activities aimed at protecting selected habitats and species, eliminating invasive alien species, and improving ecosystem functioning and socio-economic services.

WP4: Assessment of the project’s impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and evaluation of the effectiveness and reach of public relations activities in raising awareness and engaging stakeholders.

WP5: Communication between project beneficiaries, stakeholders, and the public; broad dissemination of information and project results; promotion of the replication of developed good practices; organisation of conferences and development of a post-project action plan.

Scope of IBL participation

The Forest Research Institute is participating in the implementation of work packages WP1–WP5, including:

WP1: Collaborating with the project coordinator on project management

WP2: Planning and implementing a detailed and comprehensive inventory of selected Natura 2000 sites covered by the project

WP3: Planning and co-organising restoration and conservation activities for target species and habitats, and eliminating invasive alien species

WP4: Conducting a final inventory and preparing a final monitoring report on the impact of project activities on target species populations and habitat status

WP5: Developing a methodology for protecting target species and habitats and combating invasive alien species, participating in the dissemination of good practices, and co-organising the post-project action plan.

Project contractors

Adam Wójcicki, PhD
Prof. Wojciech Grodzki
Marcin Jachym, PhD
Mariusz Kapsa, PhD
Adam Cieśla, PhD
Prof. Janusz Czerepko
Radosław Gawryś, PhD
Kateryna Lipińska

Partners

*C – coordinator, P – partner