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Funda ţ ia ADEPT Transilvania. Implementation of restoration targets at the national level and examples on restoring ecosystems in the CEE. Budapest 8 october, R ă zvan Popa. T â rnava Mare SCI: Saving Transylvania ’ s Important Pastoral Ecosystems.
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Fundaţia ADEPT Transilvania Implementation of restoration targets at the national level and examples on restoring ecosystems in the CEE Budapest 8 october, Răzvan Popa Târnava Mare SCI: Saving Transylvania’s Important Pastoral Ecosystems
Târnava Mare SCI: Saving Transylvania’s Important Pastoral Ecosystems • Project location ROSCI0227 • Project start date:01/10/2010 • Project end date: 30/09/2013 • Total budget €356.330 • EC contribution: €259.515 (73%) • CAPR – • Conservation of Aquila pomarina in • Romania LIFE08 NAT/RO/000501
Târnava Mare, a lowland area of high biodiversity, 85.000ha farmed by 5.000 families in small-scale farming communities
…. one ofRomania’s largest continental SCI/Natura 2000 sites →
6210 scrub habitats and semi-dry grassland over limestone or other calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia), with important orchid sites (about 8% of area)Grassland dominated by Upright Brome (Bromus erecta) and fescues (Festuca species), widespread on south- and west-facing slopes with few trees. These grasslands are often a rich carpet of wild orchids and other wild flowers, including Red Viper’s-bugloss (Echium maculatum), Jurinea (Jurinea mollis), Three-toothed Orchid (Orchis tridentata).
6240* Sub-Pannonian steppe grasslands (about 4% of area) Occur on the steepest sunny slopes. Dominated by various grasses, especially feather-grasses (Stipa species) and the small sedge Carex humilis. Several rare plant species including the Steppe Sea-kale (Crambe tataria), Burning Bush (Dictamnus albus) and Nodding Sage (Salvia nutans), and the dwarf flowering shrub Steppe Almond (Prunus tenella).
Meeting objectives of project (1) • Initial mapping and assessment of 6210 and 6240 habitats carried out using innovative mapping and database (GEOdatabase), which reveals that 6210 and 6240 less widespread than predicted in proposal: 5,895 ha from 10.000ha • 1,353 ha identified for restoration – much of it overgrazing, bad management (sheepfold), lack of water resources etc -395 ha target • assessments of threats completed which have revealed that the greatest threat to habitats is overgrazing by sheep – this has brought about a change in emphasis of conservation action plan. • Draft conservation action plan drawn up after period of discussion with experts, local authorities and farmers. • establish conservation action plans for 6210* and 6240* habitats (ca 5.895 ha) in the area, developed in a participatory manner with farmers/land users
Action A.1. Field assessments of habitats 6210* and 6240* Mapping and assessment methodology developed. Sources of mapping data identified, at different scales, including orthophotoplans and 3D mapping.
Maps prepared using contours of 30m and 5 m to assist location of target habitats based on aspect, inclination. Detailed GIS mapping identified 5979 surfaces with correct aspect / inclination as potential target habitats. 5895 ha. Field testing shows 90% accurate
Progress (2) Awarness raising • 17 schools nature classes held and six field excursions. • Agreements with 9 schools directors completed, schools schedule completed for 2012. • 10 village meetings held including 358 farmers, local authorities, other interested parties. • 8 demonstrations of mowing equipment including 264 farmers. • 43 farm visits. • Third issue of STIPA area newsletter issued in late January. • Monitoring sites selected and year 1 analysis carried out
Meeting objectives of project (3) • establish conservation priority zonation in the area, giving additional protection to more important / more threatened areas of these habitats – high-priority poligons • establish 5 micro-reserves in certain hotspots that include simple and practical management agreements with land owners – first 7 micro-reserves identified and discussions under way with owners/farmers and townhalls – information boards • implement habitat restoration activities including payments for certain private owners where necessary (for example, where this would allow them to enter agri-environment schemes) – about 400 ha cleared - scrub clearing and grazing methods – about 250ha - carry out demonstration activities
Action E.2. Monitoring / evaluation of effectiveness of habitat conservation measures. 5 fixed monitoring points established
Meeting objectives of project (4) • provide inputs into the design of national and regional agri-environment schemes for the 2013-2019 period, and into the integrated management plan for the broader combined SPA/SCI which is being prepared in the same time frame – meetings have been held with experts in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. New a-e measures developed by ADEPT already accepted (damp grasslands) and we finished on dry grassland measures with MADR • Monitoring Agrienvironment Measure RO • Aquila pomarina measure developed – Milvus, SOR, RNDR, ADEPT, ARPM Sibiu • Pseudophilotes bavius measure developed – UBB, RNDR, MADR, SLR, ADEPT
Developing new grassland a-e payments at national level Working directly with MARD, we have successfully proposed new a-e measures effective from 2012, bringing in new areas into eligibility for grassland management payments: this is pioneering payments for walk-behind mowers, as well as stipulating late mowing dates, low stocking rates. Impact: • Additional 26 communes in • Cluj and Bucovina • 195.000 ha of extensive orchards now • eligible throughout HNV area
STIPA poster Steppe habitats of Europe, International Conference 3-6 June 2012, Erfurt, Germany
Innovative mountain bike trails • We have developed Romania’s first purpose-built mountain bike trail, with nature interpretation signs, the first of a network of trails linking villages. • educational for local children and other users – the trail was opened • with a childrens’ competition • will link guesthouses and increase demand for active tourism
Thank you for attention! Fundatia ADEPT Transilvania www.fundatia-adept.org